Katie Kennedy has invented a young cast so sympathetic and disarmingly funny that even science-indifferent readers will resolve to understand the laws of physics . . . What Goes Up isn't so much about what's out there as about what's down here: the miracle of unlikely friendships, the mixed blessing of privilege and the stigma of social class.” —starred review, Shelf Awareness
“A good choice for science fiction readers who . . . enjoy humor, adventure, and realistic characters.” —VOYA
“It's a complex plot and a great one; the concepts feel fresh, the humor and fear factors are perfectly balanced, and there are plenty of nifty sci-fi elements for genre buffs . . . a worthy second outing.” —BCCB
“Kennedy again shows a knack for portraying real teens dealing with extraordinary circumstances. . . . Smart science, plenty of action, and no small amount of snarky banter round out an exciting and poignant read.” —Publishers Weekly
“Kennedy has a confident hand in her sophomore novel, particularly when deploying the complicated quantum physics and rocket science that infuse her snappy plot. Along with light cliff-hangers, a geeky atmosphere, and quip-heavy dialogue, her well-defined characters and a sprinkle of romance keep the story's feet on the ground. Fans of smart, funny sci-fi should get their hands on this one.” —Booklist
“Competitive, sweet, and downright hilarious . . . Likable characters and laugh-out-loud dialogue will make this a winning choice for reluctant readers and science-fiction fans alike.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A refreshingly down-to-earth interplanetary adventure . . . Kennedy offers an excellent blend of believable teenage angst and well-explained physics and astronomy conundrums. The pace is blistering and will keep readers quickly turning pages.” —School Library Journal
“A funny, introspective story featuring a diverse cast of likable and relatable characters.” —School Library Connection
“At turns sweet, funny, moving, and suspenseful, this is a book to devour. I fell in love with the endearing, maladjusted genius Yuri, and held my breath—fault of the all-too-real and terrifying threat steadily mounting throughout the story. A fantastic read!” —S. J. Kincaid, author of the Insignia trilogy and THE DIABOLIC on LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA
“The science Kennedy weaves throughout the story is fascinating and accessible, and Yuri and Dovie's gentle romance is pitch-perfect. This novel is made to savor—readers will want to catch every nuance of Kennedy's multidimensional characters.” —starred review, Publishers Weekly on LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA
“The balance of wit, romance, danger, and one huge philosophical and ethical dilemma is brilliantly managed here. . . . A nail-biting climax with a cinematic aftermath and an even more nail-biting resolution round out this thoroughly entertaining sci-fi disaster, romance, action/adventure mashup.” —starred review, BCCB on LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA
“Katie Kennedy is an author to put on your watch-for-and-read list!” —USA Today on LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA
“An end-of-the-world romp that will prompt readers to think and to laugh.” —Kirkus Reviews on LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA
“An entertaining, genre-bending mix of quirky romance and realistic sci-fi, with some thought-provoking questions about adulthood thrown in for good measure.” —Booklist on LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA
“Will appeal to many types of readers. Its NASA setting and sarcastic lead echo The Martian, while its quirky, whip-smart characters and sweet romance will capture Green and Rowell fans. . . . Recommended for all collections.” —VOYA on LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA
“Katie Kennedy writes with incision, fire, and euphoria. Savor this one.” —Christian Science Monitor on LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA
05/15/2017
In Kennedy’s big-hearted second novel (after Learning to Swear in America), scientists have proven that the universe is infinite, NASA created the Interworlds Agency to explore the implications, and it’s looking to add a young new team to its roster. After a grueling two-day tryout, two standouts are chosen: Rosa Hayashi, privileged and brilliant, and Eddie Toivonen, who hitched his way to the trials and is running from an abusive father. When a strange spacecraft arrives, it quickly becomes evident that its occupants aren’t of this Earth nor are they here to make friends. Eddie, Rosa, and two other new recruits intervene, desperate to stop what could be the end of this world. Kennedy again shows a knack for portraying real teens dealing with extraordinary circumstances. While her heroes are as smart and talented as it gets, they’re still just kids looking for a bright future, a sense of belonging, and friends who have their back. Smart science, plenty of action, and no small amount of snarky banter round out an exciting and poignant read. Ages 13–up. Agent: Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary. (July)
05/01/2017
Gr 6–9—A refreshingly down-to-earth interplanetary adventure. The story follows a brief period in the lives of two extraordinary teens as they vie for an elite, exclusive spot in one of NASA's most important, and secretive, programs. Only two applicants from across the nation will be selected, and the competition is fierce. Rosa is highly talented and has trained her whole life for this type of competition. Eddie is the ultimate misfit: a smart but unusual, "out of the box" thinker. Rosa and Eddie endure a series of grueling tests, and eventually both make Team 3, along with a third teen alternate. When they run into aliens from another dimension, things really start to get weird. Kennedy offers an excellent blend of believable teenage angst and well-explained physics and astronomy conundrums. The pace is blistering and will keep readers quickly turning pages, and the author uses humor to maintain a light and engaging tone throughout. The thought-provoking twists will make for interesting classroom discussions. VERDICT An original and funny adventure. Hand to teens who enjoy sci-fi with a twist.—Chad Lane, Tulip Grove Elementary School, MD
2017-04-26
Teens vie for two spots in NASA's Interworlds Agency in this fast-paced, funny caper through the near future.NASA's Interworlds Agency exists to explore, assess, engage, and protect Earth in the event that intelligent life forms are discovered on other planets—a real likelihood in the near-future setting of Kennedy's previous novel, Learning to Swear in America (2016)—and they are looking for a new team to join their ranks. Rosa Hayashi and Eddie Toivonen are two teenagers from different sides of the tracks whose outside-the-box thinking lands them at the top of a pack of the best and brightest, along with another pair that serves as an understudy team due to Eddie's "unusual test results." The dynamic between the teens and their instructor, the long-suffering, unconventional Reg, is by turns competitive, sweet, and downright hilarious. By the time the ETs invade, the dynamic quartet makes the bold decision to bring the show to them on their own planet—a parallel version of Earth where they come face to face with slightly different versions of themselves. Mixed-race Rosa wearily rises above microaggressions by describing herself as "an American of French and Japanese descent," Reg is black, and Eddie is a white boy from a lower socio-economic background, rounding out a diverse cast of characters whose relationships develop organically and realistically. Likable characters and laugh-out-loud dialogue will make this a winning choice for reluctant readers and science-fiction fans alike. (Science fiction. 13-16)
