The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez by Jasminne Paulino is such a thoughtful and inspiring story. Alex is a student in a self-contained special education classroom, but what he really wants is the chance to be in a regular ed science class and be treated like everyone else. Along the way, Alex has to navigate his own challenges—like moments where he loses control—but he also learns how powerful it can be to use his voice and stand up for what he wants.

What I really loved about this book is how it highlights a perspective we don’t often see in children’s literature: the point of view of a student who spends most of his day in a self-contained classroom. Alex’s journey shows not only how capable he is but also how important it is for all students to recognize the value of self-advocacy. The book also touches on bullying and how hurtful assumptions can be, while still delivering a hopeful and uplifting message.

This is a wonderful book for both general ed and special ed students to read, because it helps break down barriers and reminds us that kids in different classrooms have a lot more in common than people think. With its honest representation of neurodivergent students and its encouraging message, The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez is a story I’ll absolutely be adding to my school library collection.

A verse novel about Alex Ramirez who has designs on being an astronaut one day, but there are things that are keeping him from some of those dreams-- like being a neurodivergent kid in a self-contained classroom which means that he isn't in a mainstream science class, so he does the majority of his research on the NASA website and watching videos.

It's a warm story about potential and possibilities and the realities of life being neurodivergent and the expectations people have around you. It also paints a picture of a school experience not often seen in middle grade/YA literature.

In The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramierez, a powerful debut novel in verse by Jasmine Paulino, readers meet Alex, a neurodivergent 7th grader in a self contained class with his head in the stars. Fascinated with space, he dreams of being in a mainstream science class. Unfortunately, the people in his educational orbit think he is not ready.

Through Alex’s insightful inner thoughts we see how he feels being infantilized, remediated, and trained for menial employment. But, we also witness Alex’s self-advocacy inspire his classmates and cause his teachers to reflect on their practices. Speaking of his classmates, you will love them!

While this short and accessible verse novel is targeted to middle grade, it is more than appropriate for older audiences. This should be required reading for all preservice teachers, paraprofessionals and veteran teachers alike. The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramierez is an important story that challenges assumptions and celebrates the brilliance of students who are often overlooked.
Penguin Random House

Enter the world and mind of Alex Ramirez, a neurodivergent seventh grader with out-of-this-world aspirations, in Jasminne Paulino's The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez. Paulino creates a fascinating and immersive reading experience using first-person verse with flourishes of composition and design that reflect Alex's complicated feelings.

Alex, a Latino boy who thinks and speaks in both English and Spanish, wants more than a life inside his "Self Contained" classroom for students with various learning disabilities. He's bored of the monotony of daily math sheets, the condescension from teachers who call him "friend," and the embarrassment of having to sell coffee to students in non-SC classrooms as "a work-based learning opportunity." Selling coffee is not the future Alex wants--he wants to work for NASA. Even though Alex's mother and some of his teachers don't think he's ready, Alex is anxious to join the other seventh graders in the mainstream science class so he can start his journey toward being an astronaut. Astronauts, Alex knows, "need courage/ .../ they must be scared/ blasting off/ leaving everything they know/ and yet/ they suit up/ and/ GO!" When he finally gets the chance to join the science class, though, Alex must navigate tricky social dynamics in and outside of his self-contained class, his relationship with his parents, and intrusive thoughts that fill him with self-doubt.

Paulino's debut creates a compact world for Alex, his friends, and his family and the author's precise, illustrative writing develops a protagonist with a clear voice and an unmistakable personality. Every word Paulino includes is precisely deployed to deliver significant emotional heft, making for a zippy and satisfying read.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I’m not sure the disability representation was done well and it had me feeling uneasy about my giving my opinion on the story. However it’s an ARC so I’m going to try my best to articulate what I didn’t enjoy about it.

The book follows a 7th grade neurodivergent MC named Alex as he advocates for the chance to venture outside his self contained classroom (a term I’m new to) and try science class with his neurotypical peers. The book has themes of family expectations, friendship dynamics, bullying, and believing in yourself. The book is in verse which is something I usually love but felt like it contributed to the story feeling a bit lost.

Before I talk about what I didn’t enjoy in the book I want to state that I am neurodivergent but I was never in a separate class like Alex so I can’t really speak to that particular experience.

The main problem with the whole book was the disability representation was sooo vague it was confusing what was going on. There was never a diagnosis given for Alex just hints of past school troubles. The same was for the other kids in his self contained class. They all wanted to participate in the school and it was just hard to see why they weren’t able to? The book leads to them getting more opportunities with the support they need but I just didn’t get why they weren’t able to before. It genuinely just seemed like a group of kids who needed some general accommodations but were being treated like they were in 3rd grade not 7th. Which might very well be a problem in these types of classrooms but again the disability representation was so vague you weren’t really sure why people were thinking this was even appropriate for these specific kids. Disability was talked around instead embraced. It lead me to feel like the author was uncomfortable writing to specific disability experiences which had me wondering why they chose this story to write?

There were things I like, such as Alex’s love of space and the use of Spanish. But overall I was just left feeling like I wished the book didn’t shy away from talking about disability as much as it did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam’s sons for Young Readers for a copy of this ebook!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this story. Alex’s drive to be so much more than the box he’s been put into is one many kids struggle with on a regular basis. I can’t wait for readers to check out this one.

I apologize for the delay in my posted youth review. I am always looking for great new books that de-stigmatize the experience of being neurodivergent.

The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez is a middle grade novel in verse that puts the reader inside the mind of Alex, a seventh grader in a self contained classroom who dreams of someday becoming an astronaut. While I never was able to identify the character's diagnosis, the language and description of sensory aversion (like the sound of tapping pencils) and hyper fixation or specialization of interest (space) was well described in context as a part of character development. The story was told through Alex’s thoughts and emotions, letting you feel his frustration when teachers and even his own family underestimate him, and his passion and excitement whenever he thinks about space.

There was a generational element of neurodivergence that was great to read and I felt that author Jasminne Paulino did a great job of articulating the challenges and frustration of struggling to "fit" into a culture that does not always treasure differences in learning styles. In verse novels are prolific at the moment and I do not think the format choice was essential to deliver the story. However, I am always looking for new writing voices and think this a great debut for Jasminne Paulino.

A great book for teachers, parents and librarians. Certain differences in learning and communication are the result of natural variations in the brain and they may be the first line of defense in recognizing that in a student and giving them a strength based approach to learning. Great fictional story with authentic neurodivergent representation.

A nice addition to novels in verse!
Alex has always been in self-contained classrooms, but he is determined to be included in science, his favorite subject. Paulino depicts what special needs families might go through in order to help their child succeed, and she also shows that it is ok to advocate for oneself. Students will empathize with Alex Ramirez.

I loved how this novel in verse got into the head of neurodivergent Alex. The format works well to capture how Alex's thoughts can spiral and how he is learning to monitor himself. I loved that his family and teachers are supportive, even when that support doesn't always manifest itself in ways Alex understands or needs. He does admit he needs support. Through Alex's friends in the self-contained classroom he has been in for years, we see how different kids grow and begin to advocate for more opportunities, while honoring the student who doesn't feel ready to integrate in with the rest of school. The basic plot includes the typical bully story that also typically resolves itself as Alex learns to speak and stand up for himself.

With all of this love, why not 5 stars? Only because Paulino's integration of Spanish, one of Alex's languages, will limit the readership of this great book. I work with English Language Learners whose first language is not Spanish and unfortunately, this will make Alex's story hard for them to comprehend. Paulino does do a good job of making the meaning of Spanish words clear from the context, so I think this book will work well for native English speakers and of course for those who speak Spanish.

Space obsessed, neurodivergent seventh grader Alex finds himself in a self-contained classroom, yearning to join a science class with the rest of his peers. This novel in verse chronicles Alex’s journey as he recognizes the inequities around him and advocates for access to the science class, despite the concerns of those around him. Alex is a likeable character and the novel in verse format allows readers to truly feel his frustration about not feeling heard. Powerful story of advocacy, perseverance, and potential.

This is a powerful novel in verse told from a unique perspective. For me as a parent and teacher it helped me constantly be thinking how to better help neurodiverse children and try to think of how they might see their own day to day successes and struggles. I hope it will provide a similar experience to young readers. Whether you are a young reader who feels seen or is able to better see others through this story, there is so much emotion, hope, and triumph throughout these pages.

Alex loves outer space. But because he is neurodivergent, he is put in the SC (self-contained) classroom, with the other kids that have different ways of learning. He is not stupid. When he is with his father, he totally understands science and all things outer space. He desperately wants to be in the science class with the other kids, and pushes until he is allowed to.

The story is told from his point of view, including how annoying it is to have people tapping their pencils on the table, or mocking him, or any number of things that make him go inside his head to escape. Written in blank verse, you are able to see things from Alex’s point of view, and know what the bullies are doing to you.

I really liked that this story was told by Alex, because that is who wanted to so desperately do more. And it wouldn’t have made sense told any other way. I won’t say this was an enjoyable book to read, but it was enlightening. It is always important to walk in others' shoes. And this will be an excellent book to show other kids what it is like being Alex and others like Alex.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book was published on June 3, 2025 and is available everywhere books are sold.

I enjoyed Alex's journey of learning how to express his wants/desires while having supporting and understanding people around him.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Alex Ramirez wonders why he is still in a self-contained classroom in seventh grade. After all it was all the way back in fourth grade that he got into a fight and broke his classmate's elbow. He feels like he is ready to rejoin the rest of his classmates, especially in science, which is his favorite subject. Though his parents and teachers are uncertain they are willing to give him a chance. This is Alex's opportunity to prove that he is able to use his strategies to advocate for himself in order to achieve his goals and expand his orbit.

Jasminne Paulino's novel in verse has a loveable lead protagonist and supporting characters that make up Alex's classmates. However, I do think that some of the implications about the ways in which self-contained classrooms are populated and the yearly reviews are very different from the experiences that I have seen my state. Overall, I think this book will be great for kids dealing with similar issues and those that might feel apart from their peers.

Ever since third grade, school has been an isolating experience for now seventh-grade Alex Ramirez. Alex dreams of being in Ms. Rosef’s science class, but the SC class to which Alex is relegated does not have the opportunity to mingle with the rest of the seventh grade students. However, Alex is not one to be quiet, and with each new injustice he notices, he speaks out to his teachers and his parents. And even when Alex is offered some freedoms, the inequity of his classmates’ experience is enough to sour his excitement until he figures out a way to make everyone happy. This middle grade novel in verse is told in the first person from Alex’s perspective. Written in a blend of Spanish and English, the narrative feels as though it comes from the mind of a bilingual student, engagingly inviting readers directly into Alex’s experience. Though the cause of Alex’s relegation to SC is not overtly stated, readers clearly understand that something is out of the ordinary in Alex’s brain, which requires him to be separated from the majority of students. As the story continues, however, readers are questioning this decision alongside Alex, which opens the door to empathize with similar children in the reader’s own life. Inequities happen in classrooms around the United States every day, and it takes someone brave to advocate for a balance, especially when advocating for oneself. This book encourages readers to identify the right path and bravely follow it, no matter what obstacles might stand in the way. Medium-paced and written with heart, this middle grade novel in verse is an important addition to library collections for young readers.

This was a really good book. I enjoyed following Alex and how much he liked space. I like that the author put some Spanish in the book as well.

I love this book so much. I teared up at the end! Following Alex on his journey of being able to express his desires and having supportive people around him was so refreshing. I hope Alex's story helps you see life through his eyes and support people when they reach for their dreams. And I hope you will reach for your own dreams as well!

I went back on forth on this book, trying to sort it between "fine" and "I liked it." I enjoyed the message of the book and most of the characters, but I found some of the verses with unusual formatting difficult and distracting. I think I also would have liked to have had more information on what exactly Alex and his friends have been diagnosed with, which might have helped explain why every single adult, including the supposed professional educators, felt curriculum 3 to 4 grades levels low was acceptable to give a bunch of 7th graders. The ed plan the students have was so nonsensical at times that it made the book feel somehow less legitimate.

Seventh grader, Alex Ramirez is interested in orbits, satellites, and how astronauts deal with their fear. Alex has been in a self-contained education unit since 3rd grade. In his classroom, he feels talked down to by his teachers. He doesn’t like how his parents and teachers stifle him and don’t encourage him to learn. If he ever wants to be able to work at NASA, he must attend the regular science class. As he attempts to get to the regular science class, he meets resistance from adults and his peers. He starts to feel discouraged. Can he muster the courage to advocate for himself, so the adults listen? Will he ever get to go to science class?

The plot is well written, engaging, and heartwarming. The main character is authentic, well developed, and easy to sympathize with. Readers who like books about standing up for yourself, bullying, and realistic fiction will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. 4 stars, Gr 5 to 9

Seventh-grader Alex loves space and dreams of working at NASA, fueled by watching rocket launches with his Papi and exploring the NASA website. However, he's stuck in his grade's self-contained classroom doing repetitive, easy work, which prevents him from joining the mainstream science class he needs to pursue his dream. Tired of being told "not yet," Alex is determined to prove to everyone that he's capable of achieving great things.

This is a powerful novel in verse that realistically depicts the challenges Alex faces in school, but also offers hope for triumphs. This is a story that teachers and students should read and discuss. It is a story about advocating, setting, goals, and overcoming obstacles.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for this honest review.