Astro Girl

Synopsis

The stars are the limit for Astrid, a little girl who acts out her dream of being an astronaut - inspired by a very special person!

Winner of the UCLan STEAM book prize (Early Years) and nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal.

Summary

Chapter 1:

The story begins as Aimie, a curious and creative girl living in Japan, is discovering her newfound passion for Astronomy as part of a school science project. Aimie is intent on not being “just another girl in a pink skirt” and she finds her energy and determination to follow her dreams of becoming an astronaut rooted in a chance meeting with a retired astronaut, who offers her a bit of sage space wisdom. Aimie is encouraged to study hard and never give up on her ambitions, no matter how difficult they seem.

Chapter 2:

In the second chapter, Aimie discovers there are some roadblocks in her way when it comes to her dreams of becoming an astronaut. She learns about space travel and is faced with a variety of local regulations, rules, and paperwork that make it difficult to follow-through with her plans. She is also challenged by her school who believes she should be focusing on her studies instead of trying to explore space. However, Aimie’s determination leads her to find mentors who are willing to help her overcome these obstacles and achieve her goals.

Chapter 3:

In the third chapter, Aimie continues her journey of space exploration as she embarks on her first space mission. During this journey Aimie faces many fun and unexpected experiences as she learns how to travel in space. She learns about the equipment needed, the complexities of space flight, and the dangers that come with being a space explorer. She is soon rewarded for her hard work and determination as she makes her maiden voyage in a spacecraft.

Chapter 4:

In the fourth chapter, Aimie receives her first reward for being an aspiring astronaut: an invitation to join the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). She is part of a team tasked with studying space anomalies and looking for new discoveries.

Despite her lack of experience in spaceflight, Aimie is able to rely on her intelligence and creativity, as well as her newfound space-related equipment. She begins to gain the respect of her colleagues as she begins to explore space and make important contributions to the team.

Chapter 5:

The fifth chapter of Astro Girl takes readers on an exciting journey as Aimie and her team uncover a mysterious anomaly in space. Along the way, Aimie is eager to use her knowledge to come up with innovative solutions to the challenges that arise.

Aimie soon learns that the anomaly is linked to signs of extraterrestrial life, prompting her team to search for a way to communicate with the unknown entity. As the mystery deepens, Aimie’s intelligence and bravery help her succeed in navigating the unknown and completing the mission successfully.

Chapter 6:

The final chapter provides a satisfying conclusion to Astro Girl as Aimie returns from her space exploration mission. After making a successful landing, Aimie is offered a prestigious position as an astronaut and is rewarded for her bravery.

During her closing speech, Aimie gives the audience a heart-warming message: that anyone can be Astro Girl if they’re willing to work hard and never give up on their dreams. With those final words, Aimie is presented with a space helmet that reminds her of her courageous mission and all she has accomplished.