The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez

by Jasminne Paulino

Overview

A powerful debut novel in verse about a neurodivergent seventh grader who dreams of traveling to the stars one day.

“Extraordinary.” —Jason Reynolds, author of National Book Award finalist Look Both Ways

Seventh-grader Alex's favorite things to do are watching YouTube videos of rocket launches with his Papi and spending hours on the NASA website reading about astronauts and planets. He even dreams of going to space one day himself, and knows he'll have to study hard in order to get there.

But Alex is in his grade's SC (self-contained) classroom, which means doing the same dull worksheets every day and reading books his sister read back in the third grade. Worst of all, being in SC means nobody thinks he's ready to join Ms. Rosef's mainstream science class—the class Alex knows will be the first step on his path to NASA.

When his teacher says "not yet" for the millionth time, Alex decides it's time to make a change. Now he's ready to try everything he can to get the people in his life—his teachers, his parents, and the kids at school—to understand that he, Alex Ramirez, is capable of the extraordinary.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593859339
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	06/02/2026
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Jasminne Paulino is a Spanish teacher who has participated in workshops and mentorships with Highlights, Las Musas, and holds an MFA in writing for young people from Lesley University. The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez is her debut.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez:

* “Written in spare, authentic verse interspersed with naturally flowing Spanish that reflects Alex’s roots, Paulino's debut captures one student’s aspirations and climb to success as he becomes the hero of his own story. Readers will identify with Alex and his friends’ desire to be seen, heard, and challenged for who they are rather than trapped by others’ stereotype-informed views of their diagnoses. Targeted to middle-schoolers, this book will appeal beyond the age range, touching hearts and consciences. A must-read.” —Booklist, starred review

* “More than just a story about breaking barriers, this novel is a celebration of perseverance, intelligence in all its forms, and the importance of being seen for who one truly is. This luminous, heartfelt debut reminds readers the sky is never the limit and will inspire any middle school student who reads it.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“This visually arresting novel-in-verse is a shining constellation of perseverance, personal triumph and 'amor familiar.' ” —The New York Times

“The ways that others—teachers and even his own mother—try to limit Alex will tug on readers’ heartstrings and have them cheering for him as he learns to advocate for himself . . . Paulino lays out her accessibly written verse in varied ways on the page, effectively adding visual interest. An uplifting debut about the importance of self-belief.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Paulino sensitively portrays [Alex's challenges] using intimate verse. Alex’s relationship with his family as well as his Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage inform his perspective—Spanish dialogue appears throughout—while depictions of supportive adults impart an affirming undertone to this earnest debut about neurodivergent students and kids with learning differences seeking to advocate for their needs and wants.” —Publishers Weekly

“There is so much to be said of a book highlighting the curiosity of a child who has been cartoned and categorized as limited. I could call the book brave, or loving, or fair, or any other adjective typically used to applaud a story shining light on neurodivergence. But to me, The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez isn’t just about a neurodivergent (and adorable) kid. To me, this story is about a boy who is certain of his own magic in the midst of the doubtful adults around him. A kid who knows not even the sky, but the stars are the limit. Which makes Paulino’s debut . . . extraordinary.” —Jason Reynolds, author of National Book Award Finalist Look Both Ways and Newbery Honor Book Long Way Down

“Jasminne Paulino’s debut novel in verse is a triumph that beautifully celebrates the extraordinary in neurodivergence. You don’t just root for seventh grader Alex and the dreams he sets for himself, you aspire to them. You hope to love and see the world the way he does. This book has magic, and in Alex’s story, we levitate to the stars with him.” —Pablo Cartaya, author of the Pura Belpré Honor Book The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora and the Schneider Family Honor Book Each Tiny Spark

“This is a book kids need about shattering the limits others put on you. Saying out loud what you think, feel, and need. Standing up for and believing in yourself—and others. And just like the first astronauts on the moon, taking that one small step that changes everything.” —Lisa Fipps, author of Printz Honor Book Starfish

“How perfect that the word extraordinary is in this book’s title! The pacing is extraordinary. The poetry is extraordinary. The plot is extraordinary. An E-X-T-R-A-O-R-D-I-N-A-R-Y book in every way!” —John Schu, teacher-librarian and New York Times bestselling author of Louder Than Hunger

“Funny, warm, and written in magnetic verse that just flows off the page, The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez was unputdownable. Alex’s determination had me rooting for him from start to finish, and the teacher in me leapt for joy to see all the characters get to experience the ending they deserved. Jasminne Paulino is now an auto-buy author for me.” —Andrea Beatriz Arango, author of Newbery Honor Book Iveliz Explains It All and the Pura Belpré Honor Book Something Like Home

“Jasminne Paulino is a master of language and languages. She is a poet of English, of Spanish, of anxiety, and above all of humanity. She has clearly walked a mile in every pair of shoes there is. Let her take you, untethered, into Alex’s orbit and you will see triumph.” —Chris Lynch, author of National Book Award Finalist Inexcusable and Walkin’ the Dog

“A story of finding your strength and believing in yourself. Young readers will dream big with Alex and shoot for the stars.” —Adrianna Cuevas, author of Pura Belpré Honor Book The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and Edgar Award winner The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto

“A fast-paced, heartwarming novel in verse that captures the essence of what it means to think and be ‘different.’ Using vibrant imagery and lyrical language in both English and Spanish, Paulino lets us into Alex’s vibrant and dynamic mind in a way I’ve rarely seen done on the page before. From the first page to the last, I was captivated by Alex’s journey and was rooting for him and his dreams all along the way. This book is an excellent read for any young person who has ever struggled to find the words and the strength to speak and stand up for themselves.” —Jasminne Mendez, author of Pura Belpré Honor Book Aniana del Mar Jumps In

“A powerful novel in verse about setting your own orbit, Paulino’s moving debut shows with extraordinary talent the galaxies that live inside every young person. The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez combines pitch-perfect poetry, a moving cast of characters, and the biggest heart, and belongs in the hands and hearts of every middle grade reader.” —Kate Fussner, author of The Song of Us and 13 Ways to Say Goodbye

From the Publisher

2025-03-22
In this story told in verse, a seventh grader in special education classes aspires to take a mainstream science class and become an astronaut someday.

Dominican American middle schooler Alex Ramirez is in SC, or the self-contained program, where he feels talked down to and treated like a much younger child. He has big ambitions of joining NASA, but his teachers don’t encourage him to follow his dreams. Alex was placed in SC in fourth grade after losing control several times the previous year. But now that he takes medicine to help him focus, Alex wonders how long he’ll be forced to stagnate, working on assignments far below his abilities and suffering the consequences of his behavior from years ago. The ways that others—teachers and even his own mother—try to limit Alex will tug on readers’ heartstrings and have them cheering for him as he learns to advocate for himself. Even the simplest step toward taking a mainstream science class proves challenging for Alex when he’s targeted by his old bully and his caregivers’ doubts threaten to drain his confidence. But, inspired by the vast possibilities inherent in space exploration, he fights to find the courage to believe in his own limitless potential as well as to gain support from others. Paulino lays out her accessibly written verse in varied ways on the page, effectively adding visual interest.

An uplifting debut about the importance of self-belief.(Verse fiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews