The Problem with Gravity

by Michelle Mohrweis Narrated by Merissa Czyz, Eevin Hartsough

Overview

Autistic seventh-grader Maggie Weir loves spacecraft, but aerospace engineering isn't the only thing that gives her butterflies: she's got a secret crush on an eighth grader-the amazing, baton-twirling Tatum Jones. And they've just teamed up for an engineering contest! It might be the perfect chance
for Maggie to tell Tatum how she feels, except ...

Tatum is focused on outshining her genius twin brother, and Maggie's forgetfulness isn't making a great impression. Still, there's something about the quirky girl with a messy backpack that sets Tatum's heart aflutter. But before they can finish designing a low-gravity cabinet, Maggie learns that her dad
wants to move to Houston.

Now, Maggie must choose: Does she follow her dad and her dreams of NASA? Or does she stay with her mom to be near Tatum? If the stars are meant to align between these two, they'll both have to fully realize their feelings for each other before Maggie leaves forever.

This charming companion novel features delightful cameos from the first book, The Trouble with Robots, and compassionately explores themes of divorce, neglect, and sibling rivalry alongside an age-appropriate budding romance.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"This LGBTQ+ middle- grade book will appeal to readers looking for a story of first love, science, and growing up."—Booklist
 

"Likable protagonists, great friends . . .  a delightful read."—Kirkus Reviews

Booklist

This LGBTQ+ middle- grade book will appeal to readers looking for a story of first love, science, and growing up.”

Kirkus Reviews

2023-07-13
Can a space-obsessed seventh grader really do a school community service project with the baton-twirling eighth grader she’s crushing on?

Tatum works hard at both baton twirling and schoolwork, but since her twin brother is a legit genius—Evan’s a 14-year-old college student—her parents denigrate or ignore every one of her accomplishments. Maggie, an autistic girl with ADHD who wants to be an astronaut, is stressed by her fighting parents and by her assignment to work with gorgeous, friendly, organized Tatum. Tatum wants to excel at Project Responsibility, a school initiative, in order to prove herself to her parents. Maggie, for her part, is so overwhelmed by Tatum’s wonderfulness that every time Tatum approaches her, Maggie actually runs away. If Tatum helps Maggie with her project to win a visit from an astronaut for the school, will that earn her her parents’ love? Will their work distract Maggie from her father’s demands she choose which parent she prefers? (Hint: He’s very clear it should be him.) Maggie and Tatum are two of the few white kids mentioned, and multiple characters have physical or developmental disabilities. This is a joyful (and often painful) quick read, about as subtle as an astronaut in a middle school, that explores a sweet queer romance.

Likable protagonists, great friends, and genuinely awful parenting make for a delightful read. (Fiction. 10-13)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940160108506
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	12/12/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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