Planet Earth Is Blue

The next day, Mrs. Pierce continues to test Nova. After lunch, some kids invite her to play a game, but Nova worries because she’ll have to say animal names. She surprises herself when she blurts out “seep” and the others understand that she means “sheep.” For the first time, she feels like part of the group. She recalls a time when she was seven and their foster mother told the girls that she wanted to talk to them. Bridget assumed that she was going to say that she and her husband wanted to adopt them; instead, she told them that she was pregnant and that they would have to move. Bridget cried, promising to always be Nova’s home. That night, Francine and Billy want to read to Nova, and she hands them her battered copy of The Little Prince. Nova has several favorite passages, which she and Bridget shared.

“Countdown 7: Jan 21, 1986”: Nova writes to Bridget, reminding her of her promise. She wants Bridget to meet Joanie. Joanie recently had friends over and let Nova hang out with them, calling Nova one of “the girls.” Nova recalls a time when she went to see a movie with Bridget and a boy Bridget liked and how Bridget begged Nova not to “ruin” the date; Nova realizes that she did ruin it, and she promises she won’t ruin Bridget’s fun times anymore.