Description:

Farther Than the Moon by Lindsay Lackey is a novel about 13-year-old Houston Stewart, who dreams of becoming an astronaut. After being accepted into a prestigious Junior Astronaut Recruitment Program, Houston is excited to pursue his goal—but he struggles with leaving behind his younger brother, Robbie, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. The brothers have always dreamed of going to space together, and Houston becomes determined to find a way to make space exploration more inclusive. The novel explores themes of sibling love, inclusion, perseverance, and the importance of making space—and opportunities—for everyone.

Discussion Questions:

• Has reading this novel made you more aware of how the world treats people with disabilities? If not, try to take notice in the coming days. How do you think the world could improve in this regard? 
• What does it mean to be a “good astronaut”? Especially in the context of being a crew member. 
• “Science…is poetry,” “Science is art. Art is science.” What does Skeet mean in saying this? Do you agree? What do science and art have in common?