How to Become a Planet

By Nicole Melleby

Pluto's summer of self-discovery challenges her to redefine normal amidst depression and family pressures.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,366 ratings

288 pages· 53,034 words· Est. 6 hour read

$7.95Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Thirteen-year-old Pluto faces a summer unlike any other. Diagnosed with depression, she feels trapped by a looming move to the city. Determined to stay with her mom, Pluto devises a plan to reclaim her old self. But with the help of a new therapist, a supportive tutor, and a charming friend, Pluto learns that self-discovery is about embracing who she is now, not who she used to be. Will Pluto find her place in the universe, or will the weight of expectations pull her into a black hole?

From the publisher

A Publishers Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2021 One of The Nerd Daily’s “Anticipated Queer Book Releases You Can’t Miss in 2021” One of Lambda Literary’s “May’s Most Anticipated LGBTQ Literature” “Gorgeous.” –BuzzFeed The two most important things to know about Pluto Timoney: (1) she’s always loved outer space (obviously); and (2) her favorite season is summer, the time to go to the boardwalk, visit the planetarium, and work in her mom’s pizzeria. This summer, when Pluto’s turning thirteen, is different. Pluto has just been diagnosed with depression, and she feels like a black hole is sitting on her chest, making it hard to do anything. When Pluto’s dad threatens to make her move to the city–where he believes his money could help her get better–Pluto comes up with a plan to do whatever it takes to be her old self again. If she does everything that old, “normal” Pluto would do, she can stay with her mom. But it takes a new therapist, new tutor, and new (cute) friend with a plan of her own for Pluto to see that there is no old or new her. There’s just Pluto, discovering more about herself every day.

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