Space Chasers by Leland Melvin

"When Tia Valor takes a test on a whim for an exclusive NASA program for middle schoolers, she never thought she'd pass. After all, she never really fit in at school. In fact, she's been skipping school most days to work at her brother's auto shop instead. But Leland Melvin, a famed astronaut, sees potential in Tia, and before she knows it, she's part of a team of other talented kids training to launch to an advanced space station orbiting the earth. But the perils of space are unpredictable and Tia finds herself with only half her crew and no adults around to help. Now she must rely on her instincts and the quick thinking of her fellow kid astronauts to save the space station and their lives"--

Leland Melvin is an engineer, educator, author, former NASA astronaut and NFL wide receiver. He served on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist on mission STS-122 (2008) and STS-129 (2009), helping to construct the International Space Station. He led NASA Education and co-chaired the White House's Federal Coordination in STEAM Education Task Force, developing the nation's 5-year STEM education plan. After 24 years with NASA as a researcher, astronaut and Senior Executive Service leader, he shares his life story as an athlete, astronaut, scientist, engineer, photographer, and musician to help inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue STEAM careers.