Rosa and Eddie are among hundreds of teens applying to NASA's mysterious Interworlds Agency. They're not exactly sure what the top-secret program entails, but they know they want in. Rosa has her brilliant parents' legacies to live up to, and Eddie has nowhere else to go--he's certainly not going to stick around and wait for his violent father to get out of jail. Even if they are selected, they have no idea what lies in store. But first they have to make it through round after round of crazy-competitive testing.
And then something happens that even NASA's scientists couldn't predict . . .
From the author of the acclaimed Learning to Swear in America comes another high-stakes adventure that's absolutely out of this world.
Praise for _Learning to Swear in America
_ A Summer/Fall 2016 Indies Introduce selection
An Indie Next Pick
From School Library Journal
Gr 6β9βA 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.βChad Lane, Tulip Grove Elementary School, MD
Review
"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
"Itβs 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 storyβs 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 Dovieβs gentle romance is pitch-perfect. This novel is made to savor--readers will want to catch every nuance of Kennedyβs 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
About the Author
Katie Kennedy is the author of Learning to Swear in America and a college history instructor. She has a son in high school, and a daughter in college. She lives in Iowa--where the Interworlds Agency might be--and has a cornfield in her backyard. She hopes Rosa and Eddie land in it someday.
www.katiekennedybooks.com