SHOOTING FOR STARS, by Christine Webb, Peachtree Teen, May 21, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)
A teen with NASA aspirations teams up with an aspiring videographer in hopes of winning an internship in Shooting for the Stars, by Christine Webb.
High schooler Skyler Davidson spends most of her time with her pet rat, Five. The daughter of scientists, she’s determined to finish her late mother’s research on neutron stars. So, she teams up with aspiring videographer, Cooper, to film a submission for a NASA internship—all while keeping it a secret from her dad, who doesn’t expect any trouble from his obviously college-bound daughter.
As Skyler and Cooper grow closer, it turns out that Skyler’s dad has a new love interest as well: a hot makeup influencer who likes to put her nose where it doesn’t belong. She’ll keep hush on Skyler’s NASA plans, if Skyler agrees to get to know her. Now Skyler’s tangled up in a budding romance, an unexpected friendship, and the stress of having to retake her SATs. Will Skyler’s dream of stars collapse and explode, or can dad and daughter reconcile and change their trajectory? —Synopsis provided by Peachtree Teen
Shooting for Stars is a gentle romance between two seemingly opposite people. But Skyler and Cooper are intrigued by each other and find that connection is what’s most important.
The story unfolds from Skyler’s first-person point of view. Skylar is rather single-minded when it comes to school and her mother’s research. She’s learned to function pretty much on her own, so Cooper’s family dynamic is something she’s never experienced.
Skyler is self-assured and has never worried about influencers or makeup. Even when she does dabble in that direction, it doesn’t become a full-time thing. She’s comfortable with herself, which is refreshing.
Skylar grows a lot over the course of Shooting for Stars. She begins to see the world in broader terms than test scores and science. She makes lasting connections and realizes that she needs to think beyond achieving her mom’s dreams and find some of her own.
Mixed up in all of this is a sweet romance that’s a little messy but a lot worth it. Both Skylar and Cooper come with some heavy baggage, but when they’re honest with themselves, their relationship shines.
Shooting for Stars is a great option heading into summer reading.
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