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The Secret Astronomers
Two anonymous girls. One ancient astrophysics textbook. A decades-old secret.
A fascinating, highly illustrated, epistolary novel perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell and Alice Oseman.
When a recent transfer student starts keeping her diary in the oldest textbook at the Green Bank High School library, the last thing she expects is to receive a response. Thus begins a sweeping tale of unlikely friendship and long-buried secrets between two secret pen pals at a rural West Virginia high school.
Copernicus is adrift and searching for answers after the sudden death of her mother, and leaving her cosmopolitan life in San Francisco behind. Kepler is a small-town girl with straight A's and big plans to be the first person in her family to go to college, despite her family's modest means. The two girls are so different from one another but united in their goal to solve a mystery that has riddled Green Bank for decades.
Meticulously hand-drawn by debut author Jessica Walker across the pages of an actual ancient astrophsyics textbook, The Secret Astronomers is a story of friendship, family, crop circles, secret crushes, giant telescopes, life in Appalachia, and two girls discovering new ways to connect across any divide that separates them.
A fascinating, highly illustrated, epistolary novel perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell and Alice Oseman.
When a recent transfer student starts keeping her diary in the oldest textbook at the Green Bank High School library, the last thing she expects is to receive a response. Thus begins a sweeping tale of unlikely friendship and long-buried secrets between two secret pen pals at a rural West Virginia high school.
Copernicus is adrift and searching for answers after the sudden death of her mother, and leaving her cosmopolitan life in San Francisco behind. Kepler is a small-town girl with straight A's and big plans to be the first person in her family to go to college, despite her family's modest means. The two girls are so different from one another but united in their goal to solve a mystery that has riddled Green Bank for decades.
Meticulously hand-drawn by debut author Jessica Walker across the pages of an actual ancient astrophsyics textbook, The Secret Astronomers is a story of friendship, family, crop circles, secret crushes, giant telescopes, life in Appalachia, and two girls discovering new ways to connect across any divide that separates them.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2025
69 people are currently reading
9103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
September 25, 2025
I would probably rate the story itself a little lower but because of the way it's written it feels like a 4 star book :)
October 3, 2025
Quick synopsis: two high school students (code names Copernicus and Kepler) are using the same physics textbook every day in the library. One is using it to study, and another is drawing inside it. They start leaving each other notes, and the story becomes about their anonymous friendship through the pages. At the same time, they’re uncovering a mystery hidden in the beginning of the book.
Okay so I didn’t like this one!
I surprised myself by really struggling with the format of the book, which is told wholly in letters written inside of an old physics textbook. There are post it notes, drawings, and scraps of paper, and while I thought it was really cool, it also really jumbled my brain. I kept forgetting which person was speaking because the only way of differentiating was by the paper they wrote on. However, I have the ARC which is in black and white, so I’m curious to see what the colour version looks like!
Since the friendship between the students is kept anonymous, they use code names to refer to themselves. This was cool, but there were also so many other code names to keep track of and it made me so confused. For example, Kepler refers to her dad as “Sirius,” her crush as “Orion,” her other crush as “Aquarius,” and etc etc.
The book surprisingly tackled a lot of important topics including colonization and stolen land, identity, and disability, which I thought was great. My only issue with this was that sometimes it felt like the author was starting to write an essay on these topics, rather than the writing coming from the POV of two teenagers writing notes to each other.
With regard to the notes, I sort of don’t understand how it works? I know they write in the book when they’re at school, but how do they keep coming into the library at separate times to write in it but never run into each other? Also the responses were always immediate so were they going to the library multiple times a day? I’m just not sure.
The mystery element of the book was very anticlimactic. Nothing crazy happened, but the characters were constantly in absolute shock of all their discoveries which I found to be mostly mediocre.
To end with some positive, I thought it was really beautiful to see their friendship blossom out of the blue. Kepler and Copernicus are obviously two very different people, and it was heartwarming to see them brought together by this random book.
Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for giving me a copy of this book to read!!
Okay so I didn’t like this one!
I surprised myself by really struggling with the format of the book, which is told wholly in letters written inside of an old physics textbook. There are post it notes, drawings, and scraps of paper, and while I thought it was really cool, it also really jumbled my brain. I kept forgetting which person was speaking because the only way of differentiating was by the paper they wrote on. However, I have the ARC which is in black and white, so I’m curious to see what the colour version looks like!
Since the friendship between the students is kept anonymous, they use code names to refer to themselves. This was cool, but there were also so many other code names to keep track of and it made me so confused. For example, Kepler refers to her dad as “Sirius,” her crush as “Orion,” her other crush as “Aquarius,” and etc etc.
The book surprisingly tackled a lot of important topics including colonization and stolen land, identity, and disability, which I thought was great. My only issue with this was that sometimes it felt like the author was starting to write an essay on these topics, rather than the writing coming from the POV of two teenagers writing notes to each other.
With regard to the notes, I sort of don’t understand how it works? I know they write in the book when they’re at school, but how do they keep coming into the library at separate times to write in it but never run into each other? Also the responses were always immediate so were they going to the library multiple times a day? I’m just not sure.
The mystery element of the book was very anticlimactic. Nothing crazy happened, but the characters were constantly in absolute shock of all their discoveries which I found to be mostly mediocre.
To end with some positive, I thought it was really beautiful to see their friendship blossom out of the blue. Kepler and Copernicus are obviously two very different people, and it was heartwarming to see them brought together by this random book.
Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for giving me a copy of this book to read!!
November 21, 2025
the concept really grabbed me but the story is one ive kind of outgrown. great book for teens though!
January 14, 2026
This is YA but don’t let that stop you from picking up this totally unique read. I love an epistolary novel and this one is so cool with two teenage girls writing back and forth to one another in an old physics text book. The text book is filled with their drawings and letters written on post it notes, index cards and right on the pages of the text itself. Jessica Walker’s premise is great and the execution is brilliant! Highly recommend!
July 11, 2025
The Secret Astronomers is an illustrated, epistolary novel following two teen girls as they pass notes and drawing back and forth in an old library book. Copernicus is new to the small Appalachian town and struggling after her mother died. Kepler is born and raised in the town and has plans to be the first person in her family to go to university. Together, they team up to solve a mystery featuring crop circles and secret crushes.
This was a really fun book! I adore epistolary novels and the art in this one was so beautiful and intriguing. I loved the concept of the book. The notes passed back and forth were so interesting and I loved the discussions that were brought up. Grief, disability, acceptance, judgment, family, and friendship were such poignant topics the author discussed so well. The mystery element was also teased really well and while I guessed the ending, I still really enjoyed it.
Copernicus and Kepler are such opposites, but their friendship was so lovely. Their discussions of their family and feelings felt so realistic and relatable. I loved the support they had for each other. Copernicus’s relationship with Ray outside of the notes sounded so sweet and wholesome.
Overall, if you like coming of age novels with a mystery element or are always excited to read epistolary books like me, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA for the arc!
This was a really fun book! I adore epistolary novels and the art in this one was so beautiful and intriguing. I loved the concept of the book. The notes passed back and forth were so interesting and I loved the discussions that were brought up. Grief, disability, acceptance, judgment, family, and friendship were such poignant topics the author discussed so well. The mystery element was also teased really well and while I guessed the ending, I still really enjoyed it.
Copernicus and Kepler are such opposites, but their friendship was so lovely. Their discussions of their family and feelings felt so realistic and relatable. I loved the support they had for each other. Copernicus’s relationship with Ray outside of the notes sounded so sweet and wholesome.
Overall, if you like coming of age novels with a mystery element or are always excited to read epistolary books like me, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA for the arc!
August 28, 2025
Ever since the days of "Amelia's Journal", I have been a sucker for mixed-media books. I'm always going to be drawn to them. This book was fun, and I especially liked the art work that is included through Copernicus' view points. The author did a great job creating two very distinct characters with only what could be written back and forth in notes, and I felt like I knew both of the characters well. I think my issue was that I wanted MORE. I'm unsure if this is going to be a standalone novel, but I would certainly read more from these characters. It kind of felt like the story was just getting going when it ended.
Thanks to Penguin Young Authors Group, Viking Books, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
Thanks to Penguin Young Authors Group, Viking Books, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
November 16, 2025
Wtf? Hoe saai?
November 21, 2025
lovely. so lovely.
Kepler and Copernicus, thank you for letting me into your story.
Kepler and Copernicus, thank you for letting me into your story.
August 31, 2025
Review: 4 stars
Okay, I surprisingly enjoyed this one!
Thank you, Penguin Teen for the physical arc - I ended up reading the digital arc version given that I wanted to experience the full colors of the book as the physical arc was in black and white.
Told in the form of epistolary notes in an ancient astronomy textbook, this novel brings about an unlikely friendship between two girls who could not be more different and a mystery surrounding one of their parents.
Copernicus just moved into a small town in West Virginia to live with her maternal grandparents after the death of her mother. She is looking to solve a mystery about her mum and wanting to know more about her mum’s teen years as her mum never talks about her past. Her discovery leads to her finding her mum’s old note in an ancient astronomy textbook which she doodles her journal notes on. Unexpectedly, Kepler discovers her notes when she was looking for an astronomy book to reference in her college application essays. Kepler was born and raised in this small town. Having to discover they enjoyed writing notes to each other, they dubbed themselves members of the Secret Astronomers Club to solve the mystery of Copernicus’s mum and their mysteries surrounding their small town including teenage drama and crushes.
|People with disabilities get used to standing out when it’s the last thing on Earth we’d choose to do. To others we can seem like we’re complaining or being difficult when all we’re doing is trying to hear|
The girls could not be more different as they grew up in different backgrounds. The notes allowed them some form of anonymity as they got to know each other’s different perspectives and also respect it despite not always agreeing with each other. Topics tackled are family ties and its complexities, the pains of growing up in a teen world, grief, disability, friendship, love and acceptance throughout it all. The discussions are so relatable and their support for each other is genuine. I do find the plot somewhat predictable as the story muddles through, making it an easy and digestible read.
|We have to be open to all different frequencies just in case a signal comes through that we weren’t expecting|
I could find myself relating to Copernicus as she has a hearing disability and would find myself nodding as she describes the struggles she goes through in her everyday life.
While the mystery element is simple and can easily be guessed, the book deserves a read as it focuses on the complexities of friendship. I also love the illustrations peppered throughout the book making this a visual and fun read.
Okay, I surprisingly enjoyed this one!
Thank you, Penguin Teen for the physical arc - I ended up reading the digital arc version given that I wanted to experience the full colors of the book as the physical arc was in black and white.
Told in the form of epistolary notes in an ancient astronomy textbook, this novel brings about an unlikely friendship between two girls who could not be more different and a mystery surrounding one of their parents.
Copernicus just moved into a small town in West Virginia to live with her maternal grandparents after the death of her mother. She is looking to solve a mystery about her mum and wanting to know more about her mum’s teen years as her mum never talks about her past. Her discovery leads to her finding her mum’s old note in an ancient astronomy textbook which she doodles her journal notes on. Unexpectedly, Kepler discovers her notes when she was looking for an astronomy book to reference in her college application essays. Kepler was born and raised in this small town. Having to discover they enjoyed writing notes to each other, they dubbed themselves members of the Secret Astronomers Club to solve the mystery of Copernicus’s mum and their mysteries surrounding their small town including teenage drama and crushes.
|People with disabilities get used to standing out when it’s the last thing on Earth we’d choose to do. To others we can seem like we’re complaining or being difficult when all we’re doing is trying to hear|
The girls could not be more different as they grew up in different backgrounds. The notes allowed them some form of anonymity as they got to know each other’s different perspectives and also respect it despite not always agreeing with each other. Topics tackled are family ties and its complexities, the pains of growing up in a teen world, grief, disability, friendship, love and acceptance throughout it all. The discussions are so relatable and their support for each other is genuine. I do find the plot somewhat predictable as the story muddles through, making it an easy and digestible read.
|We have to be open to all different frequencies just in case a signal comes through that we weren’t expecting|
I could find myself relating to Copernicus as she has a hearing disability and would find myself nodding as she describes the struggles she goes through in her everyday life.
While the mystery element is simple and can easily be guessed, the book deserves a read as it focuses on the complexities of friendship. I also love the illustrations peppered throughout the book making this a visual and fun read.
November 21, 2025
The Secret Astronomers is definitely a multilayered experience. While I was originally pulled in by the premise of a story told in notes, I was really firmly sold after getting a glimpse inside of this title. The idea of a story told in notes between strangers is one that will easily grab me every time. It’s alluring, mysterious, the temptation of being seen and understood down to your core, the quaint human connection of a relationship held entirely through written word. There’s something intimate and base level about that that I will always give a shot. Who doesn’t want to pull a random library book off of your library shelf and not only unearth a real life mystery, but better yet, make a whole new friend? The deeper ~mystery~ that our characters are trying to solve, and the one that initially brought one of our participants to this old and neglected title, is a lot less interesting than the human level exploration of the two high school students writing back and forth. One is revealed to be (spoilers) deaf partway through, one is struggling with incarcerated family, and the two of them handle topics like addiction and grief through the pages of this book together. Most interesting of all was the interwoven exploration of social politics, and an outsider coming in full fledged judgmental and condescending to a really rural tight knight community. That was intriguing to read through the two points of view attempting to coexist harmoniously. Overall, there was both a lot happening here, and nothing at all. Nothing ultimately dove too deep, or hit too hard. However the presentation of this being art and collage pieces, notes left behind, textbook graffiti, etc. made this a worthwhile quick read. I would love to hear the feedback of a younger audience, because I could see this being a reread on a loop, ultimate favorite, or entirely uninteresting to them piece. I find the work as a whole a worthwhile addition to a YA library collection. It’s a different format that might engage different types of readers. It’s visually stunning and will keep your attention in that way throughout. Would love to see more books like this.
December 20, 2025
Ok. To begin my review, I only got this book for free from a bookstore, since I got the free Advanced Readers Copy from Penguin Teen.
I was mainly drawn to this book because of the cover and the vague 2 sentences for a summary on the back. This captured my attention and made me very excited to start reading it.
When I did start reading it, it was very…interesting. I couldn’t say I didn’t enjoy the story. How the author captured each character and their story was unique…but you can definitely tell this was very liberal and Christianity hating. I completely understand if you aren’t a Christian, and don’t think that the right is great, but man, this book is about Astronomy, not the politics and beliefs! For example (and skip over this if you don’t want to much info) but on page 115, and I quote “Just imagine for a moment that some girls might like to ask other girls to the dance (ah, the shock!). And…wait for it…boys might want to ask other boys (the horror). But I’m sure those DEVILISH gender politics haven’t crossed anyone’s mind at GBHS.”
When did we have to bring “Gender Politics” into a book about mystery and space? There is absolute no reason. Call me whatever you want. But if you’re giving this to a child (ages 12 and up it says right on the front page) shouldn’t you give a warning about this? Ridiculous! So if you’re a Conservative Christian like me, stay clear of this.
But, otherwise from the insane perspective and not a great group of words (lots and lots of swearing, and words such as f***, s**, and many others) aside those major issues, the storyline was interesting, and I did like the idea of the conversation being on notes.
So was this book for me? No. But because it was free, I gave it a chance. I literally didn’t want to continue reading it so I just finished it in 2 days. Is this book for you? Maybe. Honestly, as much as I hate being politics into my books I write and the reviews I leave, it’s pretty simple. If your a leftist Democrat, where love is love, and anything goes by because we just want “peace” but you shut down any actual truth, and you want kids to “figure out their gender” because obviously the gender assigned at birth wasn’t enough, be my guess. But if your like me, where you can definitely see that there are major issues in the book, and your a Christian who cares about their country and wants the best for it. Do not read this.
I was mainly drawn to this book because of the cover and the vague 2 sentences for a summary on the back. This captured my attention and made me very excited to start reading it.
When I did start reading it, it was very…interesting. I couldn’t say I didn’t enjoy the story. How the author captured each character and their story was unique…but you can definitely tell this was very liberal and Christianity hating. I completely understand if you aren’t a Christian, and don’t think that the right is great, but man, this book is about Astronomy, not the politics and beliefs! For example (and skip over this if you don’t want to much info) but on page 115, and I quote “Just imagine for a moment that some girls might like to ask other girls to the dance (ah, the shock!). And…wait for it…boys might want to ask other boys (the horror). But I’m sure those DEVILISH gender politics haven’t crossed anyone’s mind at GBHS.”
When did we have to bring “Gender Politics” into a book about mystery and space? There is absolute no reason. Call me whatever you want. But if you’re giving this to a child (ages 12 and up it says right on the front page) shouldn’t you give a warning about this? Ridiculous! So if you’re a Conservative Christian like me, stay clear of this.
But, otherwise from the insane perspective and not a great group of words (lots and lots of swearing, and words such as f***, s**, and many others) aside those major issues, the storyline was interesting, and I did like the idea of the conversation being on notes.
So was this book for me? No. But because it was free, I gave it a chance. I literally didn’t want to continue reading it so I just finished it in 2 days. Is this book for you? Maybe. Honestly, as much as I hate being politics into my books I write and the reviews I leave, it’s pretty simple. If your a leftist Democrat, where love is love, and anything goes by because we just want “peace” but you shut down any actual truth, and you want kids to “figure out their gender” because obviously the gender assigned at birth wasn’t enough, be my guess. But if your like me, where you can definitely see that there are major issues in the book, and your a Christian who cares about their country and wants the best for it. Do not read this.
December 28, 2025
This was such an interesting way to tell a story!! Though obviously not written for me, I can appreciate how it was written and the different stories that it told within. We follow our two main characters, Kepler and Copernicus, as they communicate with each other through an old astronomy textbook and solve a personal mystery along the way.
I really enjoyed how both of the characters made the other think about not only how they grew up, but also how they live their life. Are their beliefs moral? Is it hypocritical to question how people grew up when you haven't lived their life? This book asks a lot of questions like this, but in a way that is digestible to most readers.
I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a contemporary, but want to get through it relatively (ha! get it?) quickly. The book is told through letters and notes, so reads pretty fast.
Also, the book is GORGEOUS. Reading it was super fun and the drawings made it super intriguing.
Happy Reading!!
I really enjoyed how both of the characters made the other think about not only how they grew up, but also how they live their life. Are their beliefs moral? Is it hypocritical to question how people grew up when you haven't lived their life? This book asks a lot of questions like this, but in a way that is digestible to most readers.
I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a contemporary, but want to get through it relatively (ha! get it?) quickly. The book is told through letters and notes, so reads pretty fast.
Also, the book is GORGEOUS. Reading it was super fun and the drawings made it super intriguing.
Happy Reading!!
January 6, 2026
The Secret Astronomers was such a cool read. I gobbled up this story, told via notes left in an old library book, about two girls in rural West Virginia. The story-telling through notes and pictures "left" in a library book is so cool and totally unique. Was I FAR FAR older than the target demographic? Yes. Did I figure out the "mystery" about halfway through? Also, yes. Did either of those things bother me? Not in the least.
I HIGHLY recommend this one to both YA readers and adults who like a fast paced, interesting read. You MAY (as I did) end up down the rabbit hole reading about Green Bank, WV, where modern technology is banned!
As I often do, I leave you with some quotes that stood out to me.
"If history has a smell, it's the deep musty grit that's been gathering on a Confederate soldier's uniform since the 1800's."
"LOLITL" (Laugh Out Loud In The Library)
"Everyone assumes she's gay because she doesn't fit your general description of what a West Virginia schoolteacher looks like with her trendy glasses and blue hair."
"There ARE messages in the stars, hidden in plain sight, and we just don't know how to read them yet."
"The teenage years represent an event horizon that defines a part of who we are forever."
I HIGHLY recommend this one to both YA readers and adults who like a fast paced, interesting read. You MAY (as I did) end up down the rabbit hole reading about Green Bank, WV, where modern technology is banned!
As I often do, I leave you with some quotes that stood out to me.
"If history has a smell, it's the deep musty grit that's been gathering on a Confederate soldier's uniform since the 1800's."
"LOLITL" (Laugh Out Loud In The Library)
"Everyone assumes she's gay because she doesn't fit your general description of what a West Virginia schoolteacher looks like with her trendy glasses and blue hair."
"There ARE messages in the stars, hidden in plain sight, and we just don't know how to read them yet."
"The teenage years represent an event horizon that defines a part of who we are forever."
December 3, 2025
firstly, i really loved the multimedia style-- but i think both the author and i realized pretty quickly that writing the ENTIRE book in this format was very limiting.
i think the story would have benefitted from this being used as a device- interspliced between the narration of the characters to fuel the story. i say this bc the growth of the characters is hard to grasp based on what they're writing.
and a lot of this book is about them living in a small town, which i get being a large driving force in the plot, but if they lived in such a small town, how would kepler not have been able to find out copernicus's identity from the fact that she's new and deaf? like in a small town, that knowledge would spread.
AND kepler's growth just being getting into college and then deciding to date aquarius instead of orion felt so flat. also the secret felt anticlimactic- it didn't really CHANGE their lives.
but again, i love how cozy it feels. solving mysteries, drawing in an old astronomy textbook with your pen pal, meeting all these characters in a small town- but only if we hadn't relied so heavily on the multimedia when its such a limited tool.
i think the story would have benefitted from this being used as a device- interspliced between the narration of the characters to fuel the story. i say this bc the growth of the characters is hard to grasp based on what they're writing.
and a lot of this book is about them living in a small town, which i get being a large driving force in the plot, but if they lived in such a small town, how would kepler not have been able to find out copernicus's identity from the fact that she's new and deaf? like in a small town, that knowledge would spread.
AND kepler's growth just being getting into college and then deciding to date aquarius instead of orion felt so flat. also the secret felt anticlimactic- it didn't really CHANGE their lives.
but again, i love how cozy it feels. solving mysteries, drawing in an old astronomy textbook with your pen pal, meeting all these characters in a small town- but only if we hadn't relied so heavily on the multimedia when its such a limited tool.
January 14, 2026
the story wasn’t anything new or shocking to the genre, but still a beautiful one of two teenagers finding themselves + each other. i really love books set in + about appalachia, and the unique history (and struggles) that it involves. also, the way this was told through notes in an old textbook?? right up my alley for epistolary-type novels. the art was cute and really enhanced an otherwise pretty average story.
September 14, 2025
I grabbed an ARC of The Secret Astronomers at work and I cannot WAIT to see this in full color. I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this book for so many reasons. The format was extremely unique, and as much as I love epistolary stories, I think The Secret Astronomers put a new spin on a novel written in letters. Overlaying the notes as well as drawings, photos, etc. on top of the text within the textbook the characters were communicating through created a fun and engaging reading experience. I really liked the mystery storyline that was happening behind the scenes, and I wish that had been explored a little more. Overall, I liked getting to see Copernicus and Kepler get to know one another and themselves better, while still discussing some weighty topics with open minds.
February 6, 2026
3.25 ⭐️
What a fun little book!
The art was very neat and contributed to the story nicely.
The book was two girls writing notes to each other in an old astronomy book in the library. They were trying to figure out the mystery of who Cop’s mother was in high school. I like the sticky notes and the drawings. The storyline was just mid. Still a fun book to look at and read.
What a fun little book!
The art was very neat and contributed to the story nicely.
The book was two girls writing notes to each other in an old astronomy book in the library. They were trying to figure out the mystery of who Cop’s mother was in high school. I like the sticky notes and the drawings. The storyline was just mid. Still a fun book to look at and read.
June 8, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I absolutely love it! I couldn’t wait to turn every page and see what was next. This is a very creative book with a lovely low-stakes story. So excited to see when this gets printed in full color!
December 24, 2025
This book is such an entertaining read, and had such a strong beginning. However, I felt like the ending came up short and honestly, the only reason I finished this book today was because yesterday Diane said she was shocked I hadn’t finished it yet.
December 30, 2025
one of my favorite books this year!
November 12, 2025
A sweet and unique book, written in a modern take on the epistolary novel. Easy to follow and just what I needed when the world seemed to demand too much of me!
December 29, 2025
4 stars for concept, 3 for story. Worth reading.
Read
February 8, 2026Cute
December 12, 2025
3.7
It took me awhile to get into this book, but I ended up really liking it!
It took me awhile to get into this book, but I ended up really liking it!
Read
December 21, 2025Dnf cuz lowkey it got rlly boring
January 6, 2026
Beautifully illustrated…why ruin a great story with a teenager wanting to be a lesiban?
January 29, 2026
"Find the oldest book in the Green Bank High School Library. Hidden inside are the secrets that are being left behind forever". So begins the story of the Secret Astronomers. Told through ephemera (book pages, drawings, post-it notes, tickets, etc.), this is a story of two teens who form a connection through leaving each other messages in the oldest textbook in the school library. After the death of her astronomer mother, one teen (code name, Copernicus) is forced to move to her mom's hometown in West Virginia. Here, she finds a message from her mom, saying all her mother's teenage secrets can be found in an old astronomy textbook in the library. Copernicus can't find any messages in the book, so she starts to doodle and draw in the book when she's bored. Then, another teen studying astronomy (code name, Kepler) picks up the book and finds the drawings and starts writing back using post-it notes.
These two teens, who couldn't be more different in personality and perspective, form a friendship and decide to uncover the secrets of Copernicus's late mom, all the while sharing their own secrets and desires.
You see, its their mutual anonymity that allows this friendship to exist. Because they don't know who the other person is, they can be more honest, be themselves, and say the things they really want to say, in a way they just couldn't if they knew each other. "You may feel that this conversation we're having is just an abstraction or that I'm imaginary but maybe being anonymous is the key to great listening?" (pg 59).
I enjoyed this book on many levels. First, visually. Pencil drawings, doodles, collage, post-it notes, invitations and tickets make up the exchange of information, all pasted or drawn on, the pages of an old astronomy textbook. So this has a different look to anything else I've ever read.
Secondly, I thought this was a brilliant idea, to allow two very, very different teens to become friends and each others biggest supporter, simply because they do not know who the other person is. "It's strange that not knowing one another is actually what holds us together. I wouldn't be able to open up to someone who knew all about my past and my family like everyone else here does. We needed to find each other in this strange, anonymous, slightly dorky way, I guess" (pg 79). The anonymity allows intimacy, and it even allows them to question each other and their assumptions about life and the people around them.
I like how they are able to educate the other on topics such as ableism, classicism, gender identity, and cultural appropriation, in a very real and authentic way. "I don't want to pick a fight with you. I forget that for as much as I want to get the hell out of this place, I'll defend Appalachia for reasons I can't always explain. What is it that makes us hold on to parts of our upbringing, even when we know its not always right?" (pg 222). And in the end? Both teens benefit through this relationship, the secrets and dreams they uncover, and learning more about who they want to be.
"Being in West By-God Virginia has taught me that you never know where you're going to find inspiration- maybe in a holler or at a food bank or in a rural-ass library in the middle of nowhere. We just have to be open to all the different frequencies just in case a signal comes through that we weren't expecting" (pg.270).
These two teens, who couldn't be more different in personality and perspective, form a friendship and decide to uncover the secrets of Copernicus's late mom, all the while sharing their own secrets and desires.
You see, its their mutual anonymity that allows this friendship to exist. Because they don't know who the other person is, they can be more honest, be themselves, and say the things they really want to say, in a way they just couldn't if they knew each other. "You may feel that this conversation we're having is just an abstraction or that I'm imaginary but maybe being anonymous is the key to great listening?" (pg 59).
I enjoyed this book on many levels. First, visually. Pencil drawings, doodles, collage, post-it notes, invitations and tickets make up the exchange of information, all pasted or drawn on, the pages of an old astronomy textbook. So this has a different look to anything else I've ever read.
Secondly, I thought this was a brilliant idea, to allow two very, very different teens to become friends and each others biggest supporter, simply because they do not know who the other person is. "It's strange that not knowing one another is actually what holds us together. I wouldn't be able to open up to someone who knew all about my past and my family like everyone else here does. We needed to find each other in this strange, anonymous, slightly dorky way, I guess" (pg 79). The anonymity allows intimacy, and it even allows them to question each other and their assumptions about life and the people around them.
I like how they are able to educate the other on topics such as ableism, classicism, gender identity, and cultural appropriation, in a very real and authentic way. "I don't want to pick a fight with you. I forget that for as much as I want to get the hell out of this place, I'll defend Appalachia for reasons I can't always explain. What is it that makes us hold on to parts of our upbringing, even when we know its not always right?" (pg 222). And in the end? Both teens benefit through this relationship, the secrets and dreams they uncover, and learning more about who they want to be.
"Being in West By-God Virginia has taught me that you never know where you're going to find inspiration- maybe in a holler or at a food bank or in a rural-ass library in the middle of nowhere. We just have to be open to all the different frequencies just in case a signal comes through that we weren't expecting" (pg.270).
February 9, 2026
Summary: In "The Secret Astronomers," two high school students, Copernicus and Kepler, forge an unexpected friendship through an 1888 astrophysics textbook found in the library of Green Bank High School, West Virginia. Copernicus, grieving her mother's recent death, moves from San Francisco to live with her grandparents. Struggling to fit in and find solace, she begins writing letters to her deceased mother on the pages of the oldest textbook in the library. To her surprise, she receives a response in the form of a sticky note from Kepler, a fellow student known for her academic excellence and aspirations to be the first in her family to attend college. As the girls exchange notes and drawings, they uncover a shared mystery linked to Copernicus's mother and strange events that occurred in the late 1980s. Their correspondence reveals hidden secrets and helps them confront personal challenges while bringing them closer together. The story is enriched by the illustrations meticulously crafted by debut author Jessica Walker, turning the textbook's pages into a canvas for their evolving relationship. This novel not only explores themes of friendship and family but also highlights life in Appalachia, the absence of modern technology, and the power of human connection. The unique format and compelling narrative invite readers into a world where two seemingly different lives intersect through creativity and curiosity, ultimately bridging the gap between them.
Straight Talk for Librarians: This book is such a fun take on young adult fiction with its engaging mix of narrative post-it notes and art. The book's style allows readers to delve into the characters' thoughts and emotions, making their connection feel authentic. Teachers can use this novel to explore themes of grief, friendship, and identity with students. The intriguing mystery and artistic elements provide opportunities for creative projects, such as students creating their own mixed-media stories or junk journaling. The book also encourages discussions on the impact of family and community, making it a valuable addition to any classroom. Overall, it's a captivating read for those who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of mystery. It's a very unique book that I really enjoyed reading. It will be a great addition to our school library.
Straight Talk for Librarians: This book is such a fun take on young adult fiction with its engaging mix of narrative post-it notes and art. The book's style allows readers to delve into the characters' thoughts and emotions, making their connection feel authentic. Teachers can use this novel to explore themes of grief, friendship, and identity with students. The intriguing mystery and artistic elements provide opportunities for creative projects, such as students creating their own mixed-media stories or junk journaling. The book also encourages discussions on the impact of family and community, making it a valuable addition to any classroom. Overall, it's a captivating read for those who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of mystery. It's a very unique book that I really enjoyed reading. It will be a great addition to our school library.
October 17, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley; Penguin TBR: Teen Galley Program; and Viking Books for Young Readers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In small-town West Virginia, two teenagers meet via an old Astronomy textbook-turned-art project. Copernicus, a disabled queer teen, is struggling with finding her place in a small and traditional town, while Kepler is a local navigating her relationships with family and peers. While they initially clash, they eventually develop a friendship and become invested in the ambiguous past of one of their parents.
I personally felt ambivalent towards this book. I admired the unique format, which was very engaging, and the eventual explanations of Kepler and Copernicus’ lives in the real world. Their friendship is mostly realistic, I enjoyed the art so much, and the somewhat uncommon choice of setting created a unique world.
I felt the first section of the book was exposition-heavy and ended up overwhelming me, as there didn’t seem to be a particular focus. To me, the plot points didn’t flow very well into one another, which left me feeling a bit disoriented. More elements were pulled together later in the story, but some plot elements ended up having little follow through after the set up. I also felt the climax of the story was unsatisfying, and the mystery was somewhat easy to guess.
I was also off-put by Copernicus’ strong dislike of Appalachian residents, which began almost immediately. While I understand it would be jarring and upsetting to uproot one’s life as a teenager and would likely cause dislike of the region, the disdain for the people left me surprised. It was a rather cynical approach from Copernicus, who seemed eager to point out the faults in her peers, and I nearly elected not to continue reading the book because of this.
While my enjoyment of the book increased as I read on, I felt that the start could’ve been stronger and it was somewhat hard for me to warm up to Copernicus’ character. It was still a unique and spirited book.
In small-town West Virginia, two teenagers meet via an old Astronomy textbook-turned-art project. Copernicus, a disabled queer teen, is struggling with finding her place in a small and traditional town, while Kepler is a local navigating her relationships with family and peers. While they initially clash, they eventually develop a friendship and become invested in the ambiguous past of one of their parents.
I personally felt ambivalent towards this book. I admired the unique format, which was very engaging, and the eventual explanations of Kepler and Copernicus’ lives in the real world. Their friendship is mostly realistic, I enjoyed the art so much, and the somewhat uncommon choice of setting created a unique world.
I felt the first section of the book was exposition-heavy and ended up overwhelming me, as there didn’t seem to be a particular focus. To me, the plot points didn’t flow very well into one another, which left me feeling a bit disoriented. More elements were pulled together later in the story, but some plot elements ended up having little follow through after the set up. I also felt the climax of the story was unsatisfying, and the mystery was somewhat easy to guess.
I was also off-put by Copernicus’ strong dislike of Appalachian residents, which began almost immediately. While I understand it would be jarring and upsetting to uproot one’s life as a teenager and would likely cause dislike of the region, the disdain for the people left me surprised. It was a rather cynical approach from Copernicus, who seemed eager to point out the faults in her peers, and I nearly elected not to continue reading the book because of this.
While my enjoyment of the book increased as I read on, I felt that the start could’ve been stronger and it was somewhat hard for me to warm up to Copernicus’ character. It was still a unique and spirited book.
January 31, 2026
I think if I were in the intended young adult audience for this book it probably would have been a 4. Young adult isn't my go-to these days but I heard this pitched as a novel told in multimedia format through notes sent between high school kids and decided to check it out. This book really is a work of art. The premise of the book is that a new kid and kind of outcast in a tiny Appalachian town finds an old book in the school library because her late mother left her an ambiguous note implying she left secrets in her home town that might be found in the oldest book in the library. This kid starts using the book as kind of a journal and sketchbook. The book happens to also be picked up by a life-long resident of the town who dreams of escaping by going to college and there just aren't too many books about science in the library. The two strike up a friendship solely through notes left to each other in this book. They talk about themselves and the newcomer eventually lets this mystery friend in on her hunt for her mother's secrets and the plots unfolds from there. They talk about all the things high school kids talk about--where they're from, who their families are, what they believe, who they like, their friends or lack thereof and where they want to go in the future. There are drawings throughout the book which are kooky and lovely. The thing I liked best about this book is that these two kids come from wildly different backgrounds. The newcomer who has grown up in California is pretty progressive. The life-long resident of this tiny Appalachian town isn't small minded but is more than willing to call the newcomer out on some of her beliefs that either bluntly or subtly rag on Appalachian belief systems and lifestyles. In today's world where everyone feels so very far apart and completely unwilling to listen to any alterative opinion it was nice to believe that two teenagers could share their beliefs and maybe make each others' worlds a little bit bigger. Would totally recommend this book if you have a teen in your life. Especially if they are artsy.
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