SOLVED. Sci fi YA. Boy wins opportunity to go to space, radios with Masai boy on Earth. [s]

[Alyssa]

I read this originally in 2008 I believe, and it wasn't new at that point (it was summer reading for my sixth grade language arts class). This boy wins the chance to go to space (he already took flying lessons) and goes to texas to train for nine months with a girl he doesn't like very much because of her strange white socks, but who eventually grows on him and becomes his friend. There is also this young Masai boy who herds his village's cows, gets attacked by a lion and loses one, then is beat (over where he was attacked by the lion, ow), because he considered himself too prideful to share that he lost the cow due to a lion attack he couldn't fend off. Anyways, once he's up in space, the young boy astronaut radios with the Masai boy and they really don't get along, but also then win each other over and meet when the astronaut boy lands back on earth. I think the girl's name was Molly, I cannot for the life of me remember the boys names (the astronaut may have been Elliot??).

You can see how well I remember this book and yet the title completely eludes me, please help!

[Rainbowheart]

Countdown

[Alyssa]

bless you!

[Rainbowheart]

No prob, glad to help out!

[Alyssa]

(sorry mods on mobile til morning will mark as solved then)