Clear Skies

A quick middle school read, Clear Skies brings readers back to the US-Soviet Space Race and the summer of 1961. Here, readers meet Arno Creelman, an 11-year-old boy who wants nothing more than to be an astronomer. Unlike his annoying friend Buddy who wants to become an astronaut, Arno dreams of exploring the galaxies with powerful telescopes, all while keeping his feet firmly on Earth and out of claustrophobic space capsules and astronaut suits. A local radio contest offering a visit to the new observatory set to open near his town provides Arno with hopes of taking another step toward his dream and making the summer of ’61 one to remember. All he needs to do is listen carefully to the radio and call in at the right time with the correct answer to one of three questions about the solar system. But when a new boy moves to the neighbourhood and challenges him in every way, including a debate about the scientific nature of astrology, Arno ends up feeling rattled and on the outs with his small group of like-minded science-loving friends.

Filled to the brim with fun facts about our solar system and space exploration, this short novel would be a fantastic choice for struggling readers as well as those who are interested in all things science and space-related. Clear Skies offers excellent cross-curricular connections with the Ontario Grade 6 science curriculum thereby lending the book to be a rewarding pick for elementary educators and teacher-librarians. Each chapter begins with a page from Arno’s personal journal illustrating sketches and “deep thought” musings about our solar system. These effective creative touches help provide the novel not only with further educational content but also offer a more intimate glimpse into Arno as the protagonist. Readers will not only understand his fascination with space more readily while learning a variety of interesting facts but will also connect more genuinely with the sometime prickly main character.

Those hoping for a story of adolescent friendship, as the synopsis suggests, will be disappointed with a thin subplot that fails to delve deep into the often-ever changing social dynamics in the middle-school years. Nonetheless, Canadian author Jessica Scott Kerrin has done a superb job of detailing Arno’s struggle with claustrophobia with authenticity and offers an emotional touchstone on how often our fears impact the journey towards our goals. Young readers are certain to gain an empathetic perspective on the challenges Arno faces as a result of his fear and, in turn, make connections to how they might have the power to overcome their obstacles.