Tethered to Other Stars

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Perfect for fans of Efrén Divided and A Good Kind of Trouble, this luminous middle grade debut follows a tween girl navigating the devastating impact of ICE’s looming presence on her family and community.

Seventh grader Wendy Toledo knows that black holes and immigration police have one thing in common: they can both make things disappear without a trace. When her family moves to a new all-American neighborhood, Wendy knows the plan: keep her head down, build a telescope that will win the science fair, and stay on her family’s safe orbit. But that’s easier said than done when there’s a woman hiding out from ICE agents in the church across the alley—and making Wendy’s parents very nervous.As bullying at school threatens Wendy’s friendships and her hopes for the science fair, and her family’s secrets start to unravel, Wendy finds herself caught in the middle of far too many gravitational pulls. When someone she loves is detained by ICE, Wendy must find the courage to set her own orbit—and maybe shift the paths of everyone around her.

About the Author

Elisa Stone Leahy is a Peruvian American documentary filmmaker and children's author living in Columbus, OH. When she’s not writing or working at the library, Elisa spends her energy on immigration activism. Her work with Edith Espinal's sanctuary team inspired Tethered to Other Stars, her debut novel. Find Elisa online at elisastoneleahy.com.