Milky Way: A Jennifer Chan Novel

Seventh-grader Mallory Moss is determined to find Jennifer Chan, a new student who has gone missing from their small Florida town. As she searches for clues about Jennifer's disappearance, Mallory must confront her own role in the events leading up to it. Jennifer Chan believes in aliens and doesn't hide her uniqueness, making her an immediate target at school. Mallory, who once faced similar treatment, now maintains her social standing by following strict rules about fitting in and keeping quiet. Through alternating timelines of "then" and "now," the story traces the complex dynamics between Jennifer and Mallory in the months before the disappearance, while simultaneously following the search to find her. The investigation forces Mallory to question everything she knows about friendship, belonging, and the price of social survival. The novel examines the impact of middle school social hierarchies and the tension between authenticity and acceptance. It explores how fear and the desire to belong can drive people to make choices that ripple through an entire community.

Readers describe this book as an honest portrayal of middle school bullying and friendship dynamics. Many note how it realistically captures the complexities of being both a bully and a victim. Readers appreciated: - The blend of science fiction elements with realistic middle grade issues - The Korean-American representation and cultural details - The exploration of complex topics like guilt and reconciliation Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more development of the sci-fi elements - Several mentioned the heaviness of the bullying scenes was intense for younger readers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (150+ ratings) BookPage: 5/5 Notable reader quote: "This book does an incredible job showing how bullying isn't simple - it made me reflect on my own middle school experiences in a new way." - Goodreads reviewer "The balance between serious topics and moments of lightness worked well." - Amazon reviewer

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🌌 "Milky Way" explores the real-world issue of bullying while weaving in elements of astronomy and Korean folklore, bridging science and mythology. ✨ Author Tae Keller won the 2021 Newbery Medal for her book "When You Trap a Tiger," making her one of the youngest authors to receive this prestigious award. 🔭 The novel's focus on astronomy reflects actual middle school science curriculum topics, making it an engaging complement to classroom learning. 🌟 The book incorporates elements of magical realism, a literary style that blends realistic settings with supernatural or fantastical elements—a signature element in Keller's writing. 🌸 The protagonist's Korean-American identity draws from the author's own experiences growing up as a biracial child in Hawaii, adding authenticity to the cultural elements in the story.