We Dream of Space

The novel’s title We Dream of Space uses the first-person plural. More than anyone, Bird Nelson Thomas dreams of space through her aspirations of one day becoming an astronaut. Who else in the novel dreams of space? How do the ambitions of the astronauts and the goals of NASA’s space program in general also encompass the concept of dreams?

Each of the Nelson Thomas children undergo individually transformative experiences over the course of the month of January, 1986. What revelations do they each have on their own and which are shared? Which of these lessons are learned from their own separate experiences and which do they learn together?

Tammy and Mike’s marriage has an impact on the ways in which their children conceive of romantic relationships and gender roles. Consider instances and examples in We Dream of Space in which the parents impact the development of Bird, Fitch, and Cash.