The Gravity of Us
Book - 2020
1547600144


Opinion
From Library Staff
When his volatile father is picked to become an astronaut for NASA's mission to Mars, seventeen-year-old Cal, an aspiring journalist, reluctantly moves from Brooklyn to Houston, Texas, and looks for a story to report, finding an ally (and crush) in Leon, the son of another astronaut.
When his volatile father is picked to become an astronaut for NASA's mission to Mars, seventeen-year-old Cal, an aspiring journalist, reluctantly moves from Brooklyn to Houston, Texas, and looks for a story to report, finding an ally (and crush) in Leon, the son of another astronaut.
When his volatile father is picked to become an astronaut for NASA's mission to Mars, seventeen-year-old Cal, an aspiring journalist, reluctantly moves from Brooklyn to Houston, Texas, and looks for a story to report, finding an ally (and crush) in Leon, the son of another astronaut.
The Gravity of Us follows Cal, a budding journalist with an online indie show with a decent following. All at once, the NYC native is transplanted to Texas, where his father begins work at NASA as an astronaut for a Mars expedition launch. This book is less about Cal and his romance with Leon, an... Read More »
From the critics

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Summary
Add a SummaryAs a successful social media journalist with half a million followers, seventeen-year-old Cal is used to sharing his life online. But when his pilot father is selected for a highly publicized NASA mission to Mars, Cal and his family relocate from Brooklyn to Houston and are thrust into a media circus.
Amidst the chaos, Cal meets sensitive and mysterious Leon, another “Astrokid,” and finds himself falling head over heels—fast. As the frenzy around the mission grows, so does their connection. But when secrets about the program are uncovered, Cal must find a way to reveal the truth without hurting the people who have become most important to him.
Expertly capturing the thrill of first love and the self-doubt all teens feel, debut author Phil Stamper is a new talent to watch.

Comment
Add a CommentThe Gravity of Us is about Cal, a social media journalist from New York whose father gets selected to be an astronaut on NASA's mission to Mars. Cal must leave behind his whole life in Brooklyn, including his best friend Deb, to move to a new life in Houston with all he other astronaut's families. He soon meets Leon, a fellow space-kid, and finds himself falling head over heels. But things within the space program aren't always as they seem, and the television show that's following the families around likes to play games. Cal tries to figure out the best way to put a light on what really needs to be shown in the best way possible without hurting others.
The Gravity of Us is a typical YA love story, but with space themes put into it. I felt like the relationship between Cal and Leon was quick and almost out of nowhere. They mentioned the other was cute and then they were kissing and together.
Cal is always prepared and seemed to know what he wanted to do with his life and how he was going to do it. That's great! I wish I knew that as a kid his age, but the way he seemed to react when others weren't on the same path line as him made me uneasy. He also made a few questionable decisions that I could never really wrap my head around.
I loved all the parts where it focused on the NASA or the mission. When it talked about all the stuff scientist, not just the astronauts, were doing my little nerdy self was in heaven.
Overall, I didn't personally like the main character much, but I still enjoyed the book.
Wow I loved this! I started it last night and actually didn't want to put it down, but you know, sleep. Cal is such a believable character, and he experiences so much growth in this book! As does Leon, they grow together really. They complement each other so well.
The NASA and space aspects felt real, too, and the way social media was discussed was also an important part of the book. There are so many great discussions to be had here, and I loved every moment of it! This might be one I have to own.
Such a lovely read. I loved the NASA plot to this book and really wanted to know what came next. I feel like this book needs a sequel set 20 years in the future to find out how everything happened and what leaps in science were made
The Gravity of Us follows Cal, a budding journalist with an online indie show with a decent following. All at once, the NYC native is transplanted to Texas, where his father begins work at NASA as an astronaut for a Mars expedition launch. This book is less about Cal and his romance with Leon, another astronaut's kid, and more about media ethics and dealing with different personalities. It's a cool, original, fun book I read very quickly, but Cal grated on my nerves... probably as he should have. I admire writers who can write successful books with characters very strong willed and imperfect.
Love it, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to read this