Rocket Says Look Up!

K-Gr 2–Young Rocket, an admirer of astronaut Mae Jemison, never stops telling others to “Look up!” Named for a rocket that blasted into space on the day she was born, Rocket is preparing herself to be the “greatest astronaut, star catcher, space walker who has ever lived.” She sets up her telescope each night to wish on a star, her everyday clothing choice is an astronaut suit, star earrings are her favorites, and she has lots of information for those around her, especially concerning the Phoenix meteor shower to be visible that night. Her first-person commentary describes her family, her passion for space, and informs anyone who will listen about the Earth’s travel through a comet’s trail of dust. A multiethnic cast of characters with expressive cartoon faces fill this brightly colorful book with strong contrasts between indoor and outdoor images, variation of fonts, and speech or thought bubbles. All leads to the night sky event, when a frustrating sky search for the meteor awakens self-absorbed brother Jamal who finally turns off his phone to “Look up!” and give a bit of encouragement to his younger sister.