Wild Ride (Adapted for Young Readers)

My Journey from Cancer Kid to Astronaut

By: Hayley Arceneaux

Narrated by: Hayley Arceneaux

A young reader’s adaptation of the story of the youngest American to ever orbit the Earth—cancer survivor Hayley Arceneaux—who shows us all that when we face our fears with hope and faith, the extraordinary is possible

“Hayley will capture your heart as she proves that even the wildest dreams can come true. Young minds will leave awestruck and eager to chase their own wild ride.”—Emily Calandrelli, host of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab

“It may be hard to believe while I’m gravity-bound on my bedroom floor, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my time on Earth, it’s that as long as you keep saying yes, everything is possible,” says Arceneaux.

In this adaptation of her heartfelt memoir, especially inspiring for middle-grade listeners, Arceneaux shares the details of her wild ride with never-before-told stories written especially for kids coming to this edition. Arceneaux not only tells listeners what it was like to go to space—from training in a fighter jet to lifting off in a Dragon capsule—but she also offers stories from her childhood: things that she faced at the hospital when going through cancer treatment, what she had to overcome when she went back to school, and the courage it took to dream big dreams for her teenage and adult years.

For students navigating a time of uncertainty, and for the adults and educators who seek to offer them hope, Arceneaux’s uplifting story is one that will inspire kids for years to come. She offers wisdom and courage to anyone fighting against the odds, and shows us that dreaming is always possible.

©2023 Hayley Arceneaux (P)2023 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“Wild Ride is a well-told tale that illustrates Hayley’s relentlessly positive attitude toward life and adventure despite all the obstacles. Hayley will capture your heart as she proves that even the wildest dreams can come true. Young minds will leave awestruck and eager to chase their own wild ride.”—Emily Calandrelli, author, aerospace engineer, and host of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab

“Wild Ride is just that! A front-row seat to Hayley’s life and an outer space trip all mixed into one! My daughter, Sienna, and I read this together and we loved it. This book is perfect for anyone interested in the joys and hardships of an adventure bigger than life.”—Nick&Sienna, TikTok daddy-daughter duo

“[Arceneaux’s] accounts of astronaut training, including spinning in a centrifuge and climbing Mount Rainier, are eye-opening. Her time in space is alternately joyful and sobering as she twirls in the spacecraft sans gravity, contemplates Earth’s beauty, and honors friends and family who died of cancer, including her father. . . . Engaging . . . stirring.”—Kirkus Reviews

Great 5stars amazing very good reader

She was great reader looking forward to new books and is amazing oks old oks