Rayana Johnson's Giant Leap

By: Jill Tew

Published by Freedom Fire, 2026-04-21

A hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade novel about a STEM loving Black girl finding her place in the universe again after news of her parents divorce--and her first period--knocks her out of orbit. Rayana Johnson always thought that turning thirteen would mean being old enough to stay home alone, go on her first date, and attend Galaxy Camp, a sleepaway camp that's all about her true passion--space exploration. But when she learns that her parents on the verge of a divorce, Ray quickly learns there is more to growing up than one thinks. Instead of having a blast on flight simulators and multi-axis trainers, and learning of what it takes to explore the stars, Ray's mind is stuck on Earth, wondering why her parents are keeping their divorce a secret from her. And even worse, puberty throws her the ultimate curveball--she has her first period, and her friends and counselors won't take her pain seriously. In the span of just a few days, Ray's gone from having total certainty in her universe, to barely being able to count on anything--not her parents' marriage, not Galaxy Camp, and not even her own body. Will she ever feel grounded again, or is the rest of her life destined to be as nebulous as the Milky Way?