The concept of this book drew me in straight away - a a verse novel about a space-loving tween who doesn't deal well with change? Sign me up! Unfortunately, it just felt like there was something missing.

There were parts that I really loved: the dad being a wheelchair user felt easy and natural, Mrs Manitowabi's interdisciplinary approach to teaching, Luna's mom's daily haikus, and the final project idea was ingenious.

The part that really didn't work for me was the verse itself. It felt very functional, but was missing that poetic spark. When I read a verse novel, I want it to feel like the story could only ever be told in this way, but I'm sad to say I just didn't get that feeling from Reasons to Look at the Night Sky. I wanted more poetry, more magic, more art.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

This is such a good, short, lower middle grade verse novel. It combines Luna's love for space with the fearfulness that comes from change....a lot of change. Being 11 is already rough, so all of the changes impact Luna and we are in her mind with the verse novel set-up. I wish the format of the poems hadn't been messed up in the galley, but I did enjoy this.

I also like how it had an indigenous lens and made it clear that ALL stories should be told.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada | Tundra Books for the e-ARC of this very unique story: 'Reasons to Look at the Night Sky by Danielle Daniel.'

With it's unique style and plot, this book combines art, science and poetry to tell a story about Luna a young student who is obsessed with space. Join her and her friends as she garners conflicting emotions over changes happening throughout her life at school and at home.

This story covers all the things I love to see in a book. Major points for inclusivity with disabilities, people of colour and talking about emotion control and regulation.

This would be a great addition to any library.

This is a great book about finding your way when things around you are changing.
Luna is excited about her science project, but then a substitute teacher wants them to merge science and art and she isn't so sure.
At the same time things with her best friend are changing and her family is having some issues.
As she makes new friends and learns how science and art can converge she learns more about herself and how change can lead to good things.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

3.5 stars.
2024 middle grade novel-in-verse. Métis-Canadian author.
Middle grade student Luna loves Science, and wants to grow up to be an astronaut. Luna is experiencing many changes in her home and in her friendship with her best friend Maggie, none of which she's too happy about. Worst of all, her beloved teacher Mr. Griffin has gone on a leave to tend to his sick mother, and has left a substitute teacher (Ms. Manitowabi) in his place. Ms Manitowabi insists on the connection between art and science, teaches the students about Indigenous star maps and Sky Stories, and makes Luna work with a boy instead of her best friend. Luna is resistant to all of these changes.
I liked the story. The changes experienced by Luna, and her resistance to change, were definitely realistic and plausible. I thought that the eventual turnaround for Luna came about very quickly and conveniently, and I wish those had been flushed out a bit more. But, all in all, it was a nice story that I enjoyed reading.
Thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a free e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

For the most part I enjoyed this book, but it fell flat. There was no real conflict and I found myself getting bored for the most part.

Beautifully written, sweetly sincere, and bursting with a whole galaxy's worth of heart. REASONS TO LOOK AT THE NIGHT SKY is an accessible & fast-paced exploration of how science and art might be closer than we first think, set against themes of growing up, tough change, and finding joy in new experiences.

(Also—always SO fun to see more Canadian middle grade!)

I happened across Danielle Daniel a couple years ago when I read her Daughters of the Deer, and when I saw this space-themed middle grade in verse from her I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Reading Reasons to Look at the Night Sky gave me so many feelings, and I love how it shows that colonization took a lot, but what remains should be celebrated. I also really liked how Luna got so excited at the Sky Stories that she wanted to make them as accessible as possible. This also has a lot of growth as Luna is dealing with changes in her friendship, her parents’ schedules, and her teacher being out so she has to adapt to a substitute teacher’s way of doing things. This was super delightful and filled my heart with so much warmth.

A wonderful story in verse, a combination of the art of words and the science of astronomy.

Stars fill the night sky
Words dance across on the pages
This book inspires

#ReasonstoLookattheNightSky
#DanielleDaniel
#SkyStories
#juvenilefiction
#haiku
#NetGalley

Loved this novel-in-verse about Luna who wants to be an astronaut and plans to apply for a spot in the NASA summer camp program. When she finds out her teacher is out and they have a long term substitute, she wonders how will I get a letter of recommendation. Luna notices some changes in her best friend,Maggie, and wonders what’s going on. When their substitute teacher has them switch seats Luna sees Maggie taking to Astrid and she becomes jealous. Their substitute tells the class about Sky Stories and has them do a project with their new seat partner. Luna is paired with Bennett and they have fun. There are days when Luna and Maggie ignore each other. Can the girls mend their friendship? Will Luna apply to the NASA summer space camp with her teacher gone?
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.