Greetings from Planet Earth

In 1977, twelve-year-old Theo's science class receives an assignment connected to NASA's Voyager Golden Record project. The task leads him to explore big questions about life, humanity, and what Earth should share with potential extraterrestrial beings. Theo faces challenges at home and school as he works on the project, including his complicated relationship with his father who went missing in Vietnam. His family dynamics, particularly with his mother and sister, shape his perspective as he grapples with understanding his past and present. The story takes place against the backdrop of the Cold War and Space Race, incorporating historical elements from 1970s America. Through Theo's journey of discovery, the narrative examines themes of loss, connection, and humanity's place in the universe.

Readers appreciate the book's portrayal of how the Vietnam War affected families in 1977, particularly through the perspective of 12-year-old Theo. Parents and teachers note the book helps introduce complex topics like war and family conflict to middle-grade students. Liked: - Historical accuracy and period details - Discussion of the Golden Record and Voyager mission - Balance between science themes and emotional story - Treatment of PTSD and veterans' experiences Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the first third - Several readers wanted more development of secondary characters - A few felt the space science elements didn't connect strongly enough to the main plot Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (207 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) Kirkus Reviews: Starred review One teacher wrote: "The book opened great discussions with my 6th graders about how war impacts families long after it ends." Several reviewers mentioned the book worked well as both a classroom read-aloud and independent reading choice.

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🌎 Like the main character in her book, Barbara Kerley grew up during the height of the Space Race and the Vietnam War, which helped her authentically capture the era's atmosphere. 🚀 The Voyager Golden Record, featured in the book, contains 115 images, natural sounds, musical selections, and greetings in 55 languages—a time capsule meant to represent Earth to extraterrestrial life. 🎵 The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" was requested for inclusion on the Voyager Golden Record, but EMI Records declined permission, despite personal appeals from Carl Sagan. 📡 The Voyager spacecraft carrying these records are expected to continue functioning until approximately 2025, when their power supply will finally run out—nearly 50 years after launch. 🌌 The protagonist's astronomy project mirrors real-life initiatives like NASA's "Message in a Bottle" program, where students create messages to hypothetical extraterrestrial civilizations.