ALA Booklist

Following a battery of bizarre tests to evaluate a broad range of abilities, Rosa Hayashi and Eddie Toivonen are picked to train in NASA's top secret Interworlds Agency (IA) program, which grooms teens to become ambassadors to alien worlds. Rosa comes from an impressive scientific pedigree, while Eddie sees IA as a means of escape from his highly dysfunctional family. As Rosa and Eddie endure the rigorous program, they face competition and infighting with other trainees, and Eddie's unconventional methods both wow and worry their instructors. But when IA gets visitors it hadn't bargained for, Eddie's unconventional methods, bolstered by his teammates' belief in him, just might save the day. Kennedy has a confident hand in her sophomore novel, particularly when deploying the complicated quantum physics and rocket science that infuse her snappy plot. Along with light cliff-hangers, a geeky atmosphere, and quip-heavy dialogue, her well-defined characters and a sprinkle of romance keep the story's feet on the ground. Fans of smart, funny sci-fi should get their hands on this one.

Kirkus Reviews

Teens vie for two spots in NASA's Interworlds Agency in this fast-paced, funny caper through the near future.NASA's Interworlds Agency exists to explore, assess, engage, and protect Earth in the event that intelligent life forms are discovered on other planets—a real likelihood in the near-future setting of Kennedy's previous novel, Learning to Swear in America (2016)—and they are looking for a new team to join their ranks. Rosa Hayashi and Eddie Toivonen are two teenagers from different sides of the tracks whose outside-the-box thinking lands them at the top of a pack of the best and brightest, along with another pair that serves as an understudy team due to Eddie's "unusual test results." The dynamic between the teens and their instructor, the long-suffering, unconventional Reg, is by turns competitive, sweet, and downright hilarious. By the time the ETs invade, the dynamic quartet makes the bold decision to bring the show to them on their own planet—a parallel version of Earth where they come face to face with slightly different versions of themselves. Mixed-race Rosa wearily rises above microaggressions by describing herself as "an American of French and Japanese descent," Reg is black, and Eddie is a white boy from a lower socio-economic background, rounding out a diverse cast of characters whose relationships develop organically and realistically. Likable characters and laugh-out-loud dialogue will make this a winning choice for reluctant readers and science-fiction fans alike. (Science fiction. 13-16)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In Kennedy-s big-hearted second novel (after Learning to Swear in America), scientists have proven that the universe is infinite, NASA created the Interworlds Agency to explore the implications, and it-s looking to add a young new team to its roster. After a grueling two-day tryout, two standouts are chosen: Rosa Hayashi, privileged and brilliant, and Eddie Toivonen, who hitched his way to the trials and is running from an abusive father. When a strange spacecraft arrives, it quickly becomes evident that its occupants aren-t of this Earth nor are they here to make friends. Eddie, Rosa, and two other new recruits intervene, desperate to stop what could be the end of this world. Kennedy again shows a knack for portraying real teens dealing with extraordinary circumstances. While her heroes are as smart and talented as it gets, they-re still just kids looking for a bright future, a sense of belonging, and friends who have their back. Smart science, plenty of action, and no small amount of snarky banter round out an exciting and poignant read. Ages 13-up. Agent: Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary. (July)

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9A refreshingly down-to-earth interplanetary adventure. The story follows a brief period in the lives of two extraordinary teens as they vie for an elite, exclusive spot in one of NASA's most important, and secretive, programs. Only two applicants from across the nation will be selected, and the competition is fierce. Rosa is highly talented and has trained her whole life for this type of competition. Eddie is the ultimate misfit: a smart but unusual, "out of the box" thinker. Rosa and Eddie endure a series of grueling tests, and eventually both make Team 3, along with a third teen alternate. When they run into aliens from another dimension, things really start to get weird. Kennedy offers an excellent blend of believable teenage angst and well-explained physics and astronomy conundrums. The pace is blistering and will keep readers quickly turning pages, and the author uses humor to maintain a light and engaging tone throughout. The thought-provoking twists will make for interesting classroom discussions. VERDICT An original and funny adventure. Hand to teens who enjoy sci-fi with a twist.Chad Lane, Tulip Grove Elementary School, MD

Voice of Youth Advocates (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

High-achieving Rosa and down-on-his luck Eddie are competing with hundreds of candidates to win a spot at NASA's Interworlds Agency. Only one team of two candidates will be chosen after a series of intricate tests. Eddie is smart but reckless, more likely to react to a situation than analyze different courses of action. Rosa is the brains, but not daring. Together, Eddie and Rose make a great team, intuitively finding ways to come out on top. Unfortunately, NASA is afraid to rely on Eddie's quick triggers so, although Rosa and Eddie are chosen, NASA also selects a back up team. Right as NASA dismisses Eddie in favor of pairing Rosa with a different candidate, an alien ship of identical team players arrives from another Earth. Eddie's quick thinking might just save Earth from becoming an extinct society. Kennedy starts off with a strong premise, but the story falters from too-neat wrap ups of every plot turn. Readers will need to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy the second half of this novel as it fizzles in delivery, focusing more on the action than the storyline. The characters are engaging, but fit predictable character arcs. The comedic interplay and witty banter are well done. This would be a good book to give to science fiction readers who are not hardcore, but enjoy humor, adventure, and realistic characters. Purchase for libraries with larger collections as an additional offering.—Laura Panter.