It’s never occurred to Wendy Toledo to wonder why her Salvadoran American dad and her Guatemalan mom, who’s been in the United States legally for years, are adamant about not making waves, but she’s taken the message to heart. So when Wendy and her friends start experiencing racist incidents at her new middle school, she downplays the impact of what’s happening, lying first and foremost to herself. She’s especially unwilling to seriously consider the possible involvement of Brett, a cute white boy who’s been flirting with her, and is excited when she and Brett are paired for a science project to build a telescope. At home, tensions are rising as her older brother, Tom, gets involved with protests in support of Luz, a Mexican woman who’s taken sanctuary from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a nearby church. Wendy also finds old papers that prompt her to question the stories her parents have always told her about their pasts. When Wendy can no longer ignore Brett’s involvement in the increasing racist bullying, she’s frustrated when speaking out has little impact, at least at first. Meanwhile community outrage over both immigration and ICE is intensifying, leading to a terrifying incident that impacts Wendy and her family. This compelling, heartfelt story grounded by excellent characterizations delves into the complexity and messiness of human relationships on both an interpersonal and community scale and illuminates the powerful force that people working together for positive change can be. (Ages 10-13)

Perfect for fans of Efrén Divided and A Good Kind of Trouble, this luminous middle grade debut follows a tween girl navigating the devastating impact of ICE’s looming presence on her family and community.

Seventh grader Wendy Toledo knows that black holes and immigration police have one thing in common: they can both make things disappear without a trace. When her family moves to a new all-American neighborhood, Wendy knows the plan: keep her head down, build a telescope that will win the science fair, and stay on her family’s safe orbit.

But that’s easier said than done when there’s a woman hiding out from ICE agents in the church across the alley—and making Wendy’s parents very nervous.

As bullying at school threatens Wendy’s friendships and her hopes for the science fair, and her family’s secrets start to unravel, Wendy finds herself caught in the middle of far too many gravitational pulls. When someone she loves is detained by ICE, Wendy must find the courage to set her own orbit—and maybe shift the paths of everyone around her.