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
The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez is a highly original debut “novel-in-verse” middle grade story. The narrative follows Alex Ramirez, a space-obsessed 7th grader who spends his days watching rocket launches with his Papi and exploring NASA’s website. Because of his unpredictability and struggles, Alex is placed in a self-contained (SC) classroom, where the repetitive worksheets and outdated reading materials make him feel stagnant and yearning for more. Determined to prove his capabilities, Alex sets out to convince his teachers, parents, and peers that he’s ready for the mainstream science class and, ultimately, his dream of reaching the stars!
The story is truly unique with its neurodivergency representation, especially being set in an elementary school and shining a light on how challenging and easily misunderstood such an individual can be from a young age. Alex’s journey emphasizes the need for parents to be fully attentive and engaged with their children’s needs and self-advocacy, especially in these more challenging situations. The importance of having inclusive classrooms that recognize and nurture diverse students is beautifully illustrated in this story.
The chapters are extremely short and have interesting titles that reflect Alex’s inner thoughts as he navigates challenges in his daily life. Paulino’s choice to present the story “in verse” gives the narrative a somewhat fragmented feel but, at the same time, accurately captures Alex’s wonderful spirit and high emotions, ultimately making his experiences more intimate and resonant. The author, being a middle school teacher herself with experience in education and workshops relevant to this story’s characters, creates a truly authentic portrayal of a neurodivergent student’s perspective.
There are some wonderful characters in this book, most of whom play a pivotal role in Alex’s journey. His classmates in the self-contained classroom all have their own struggles but are still supportive of Alex and urge him on to prove his capabilities. Alex has a very strong bond with his Papi and sister, and there are several heartfelt scenes that highlight his Papi’s supporting role in Alex’s development. Alex’s mother is also supportive but also cautious and pragmatic, causing her to sometimes butt heads with her husband. It all adds up to a family dynamic that feels extremely authentic, and it’s heartwarming to see the love they all share for each other.
Overall, The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez is an extremely unique novel-in-verse that readers of middle grade fiction and even literary fiction will appreciate and resonate with. The book’s powerful messages about resiliency, self-belief, and reaching for your dreams against the odds make this story compelling and inspirational. The book is already garnering attention and high praise for its heartfelt narrative, lyrical prose, and unique insights into the experiences of a neurodivergent individual. If all of this sounds intriguing, don’t hesitate to add this one to your immediate reading list! It’s one you won’t soon forget!
Narrator Performance
Joey Florez delivers a heartfelt and engaging performance in this audiobook. He brings protagonist Alex vividly to life with an animated, inquisitive voice, perfectly capturing a middle-grade student who’s determined to prove his worth. Being a story told “in verse,” it’s not the easiest story to narrate, but Florez does a great job keeping listeners engaged with his excellent pacing, expressive dialogue, and well-acted emotional scenes, especially those including Alex’s family members. Florez also provides distinct, expressive voices for all the characters, making them compelling and feel authentic. If you’re considering this book, pairing a physical copy with the audiobook is highly recommended!
Narrator Performance
Joey Florez delivers a heartfelt and engaging performance in this audiobook. He brings protagonist Alex vividly to life with an animated, inquisitive voice, perfectly capturing a middle-grade student who’s determined to prove his worth. Being a story told “in verse,” it’s not the easiest story to narrate, but Florez does a great job keeping listeners engaged with his excellent pacing, expressive dialogue, and well-acted emotional scenes, especially those including Alex’s family members. Florez also provides distinct, expressive voices for all the characters, making them compelling and feel authentic. If you’re considering this book, pairing a physical copy with the audiobook is highly recommended!
Joey Florez delivers a heartfelt and engaging performance in this audiobook. He brings protagonist Alex vividly to life with an animated, inquisitive voice, perfectly capturing a middle-grade student who’s determined to prove his worth. Being a story told “in verse,” it’s not the easiest story to narrate, but Florez does a great job keeping listeners engaged with his excellent pacing, expressive dialogue, and well-acted emotional scenes, especially those including Alex’s family members. Florez also provides distinct, expressive voices for all the characters, making them compelling and feel authentic. If you’re considering this book, pairing a physical copy with the audiobook is highly recommended!
