I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When a recent transfer student starts keeping her diary in the oldest textbook at the Green Bank High School library, the last thing she expects is to receive a response. Thus begins a sweeping tale of unlikely friendship and long-buried secrets between two secret pen pals at a rural West Virginia high school.

Copernicus is adrift and searching for answers after the sudden death of her mother, and leaving her cosmopolitan life in San Francisco behind. Kepler is a small-town girl with straight A's and big plans to be the first person in her family to go to college, despite her family's modest means. The two girls are so different from one another but united in their goal to solve a mystery that has riddled Green Bank for decades.

Meticulously hand-drawn by debut author Jessica Walker across the pages of an actual ancient astrophysics textbook, The Secret Astronomers is a story of friendship, family, crop circles, secret crushes, giant telescopes, life in Appalachia, and two girls discovering new ways to connect across any divide that separates them.

Short and Sweet Review

Copernicus has just moved from San Francisco to a small West Virginia town after the death of her mother, and she’s trying to find her place in a world that now feels too quiet and too small. When she starts leaving diary notes in the oldest astronomy textbook in her high school library, she never expects a response, but Kepler, a local girl with big dreams, finds them. What starts as secret correspondence quickly grows into a heartfelt friendship, as the two girls share their thoughts, feelings, and even work together to unravel a mystery.

The epistolary format here is everything. The handwritten notes, illustrations, and doodles layered over the textbook pages make the story feel personal and alive. Copernicus and Kepler couldn’t be more different, but their bond is genuine and relatable. They navigate grief, family drama, first crushes, and even disabilities while learning to trust and support one another. The mystery isn’t shocking, I guessed some twists but that didn’t ruin anything for me. The heart of the story is the friendship, the conversations, and the way Walker celebrates connection across differences. Plus, the illustrations make it a fun, immersive read, honestly I was impressed by the artwork and how much Walker put into it. I read this book on my kindle and I usually don’t buy physical books much anymore but I would buy this book just to have these amazing drawings in person

Overall this was a heartwarming and entertaining book. The Secret Astronomers is clever, heartfelt, and visually stunning, a perfect contemporary read with mystery and charm.