We Dream of Space

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.

Bird seeks comfort in her imagined conversations with Judith Resnik. Explore some of the reasons why this interaction is so important to Bird, the purpose it helps to serve for her, and the specific need that it fills in her life. Why is Judith the only person Bird feels she can truly open up to? Why is her insight so important to Bird? What does the nature of the questions that Bird asks of her tell readers about Bird’s attempts to make sense of the world around her?

Cash is preoccupied with the notion that he is not good at anything. How does Cash find the courage to challenge his own assumptions and about who he is? Who supports him in his quest to better himself, and how does he find himself changed by the positive responses he receives to his efforts?

Fitch’s act of shouting at Amanda Piper constitutes a moment in his life during which the loss of his temper has the greatest impact upon him, and the most serious consequences. What conditions create the perfect storm for Fitch to lose his temper at this time? How does the aftermath change him, his attitude, and his resolve with respect to how he treats others?

In what ways might the Nelson Thomas family be considered dysfunctional or unhealthy? How do the children process their understanding of their family’s challenges? What points of comparison do they struggle with when evaluating their own family against those of their peers? How do Cash, Fitch, and Bird begin to attempt to actively compensate for these dysfunctional patterns, and what resolutions do they make as individuals and as a trio to change the patterns they have been observing and engaging with at home?

How do the people whom the Nelson Thomas Children attach themselves to indicate who the children are as people? What qualities do they possess which the children admire? How are they like them and how are they different?

Each student in Ms. Salonga’s class chose (at random) the name of an astronaut from the Challenger mission and assumed their role for their class project. Try the same exercise by placing the names of all the Challenger astronauts in a randomized selector and researching the name you have chosen. How are you like this person? How are you different? What were their dreams and ambitions? What was their role aboard the shuttle? What has their legacy become? What would you like your legacy to be?