Description

A heartfelt selection for STEAM, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent readers, this companion novel to The Trouble with Robots charmingly explores first crushes.

Autistic seventh-grader Maggie Weir loves spacecraft, but aerospace engineering isn't the only thing that gives her butterflies: she’s teamed up with the amazing, baton-twirling Tatum Jones for an engineering contest! It’s an out of this world chance for Maggie to tell Tatum, her long time crush, how she feels. Only, Tatum is distracted with her own troubles at home. Worse still, when Maggie learns that her dad wants to move to Houston, her whole universe gets shaken up! Now she has a big decision to make: does she stay with her mom and remain in Tatum's orbit, or does she launch her dreams of visiting NASA by following her Dad? If the stars are meant to align between these two, they'll both have to admit their feelings before Maggie leaves forever.

An easy-to-follow, dual perspective narrative that compassionately explores themes of separation, healthy friendship, and sibling rivalry. Another lovable cast of characters in the Barton Junior High universe!

About the Author

Michelle Mohrweis is a middle school robotics and engineering teacher and a moderator at the Tucson Festival of Books. When not writing, they can be found launching paper rockets down the middle of their street. They lives with their husband and two dogs in Arizona. The Trouble with Robots is Michelle’s debut novel.

• STEAM enthusiasts seeking content that aligns with robotics interests will cheer along as a team struggling to find its harmony gears up for a high-stakes competition. 

• LGBTQ+ communities will appreciate simple explorations of identity in a diverse supporting cast, from a same-sex household to blossoming schoolyard crushes. 
• Libraries & educators building collections that feature cross-curriculum usage & stories of friendship where characters embrace a variety of individual strengths and passions.