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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
I completely enjoyed this book. Alex is such a charming character, I was truly invested in him and his story. The format is unique, the plot is interesting and heartbreaking and hopeful, the cast of characters is lovable.
I loved this book, told from the point of view of an 11-year-old. He is obsessed with outer space, and takes us on his journey across the country to test out his rocket. Along the way, he finds out he has a half-sister, among many other things.
Format: Audiobook. I really strugle with how to review this book! I listened to this with my 10-year-old ("5 stars! I love science and math and space so I liked it"), and my 7-year-old ("3 stars. It was kind of confusing and the ending was just...ehhh"). I'm more with my 7-year-old on this one, but there were some really nice moments!
The story is told in a series of audio recordings (mostly by protagonist Alex), so the audiobook format was ideal. Unfortunately, I found Alex rather annoying and a bit unbelievable. While it was necessary, in order to tell the story, for Alex to be very descriptive and summarizing, but the level of detail was distracting, and the things he evidently took notice of are hard to believe his character would notice.
It's also not clear who the audience for this book would be. though I would suggest middle school. The perspective and naivete of Alex made it difficult for me as an adult to enjoy, and some of the themes are a bit heavy for the single-digits.
Still, his optimism, tenacity and courage, along with the mostly engaging (but sometimes boring) adventure he goes on, pulling in a whole cast of charmingly flawed characters, redeems this book in my eyes.
The story is told in a series of audio recordings (mostly by protagonist Alex), so the audiobook format was ideal. Unfortunately, I found Alex rather annoying and a bit unbelievable. While it was necessary, in order to tell the story, for Alex to be very descriptive and summarizing, but the level of detail was distracting, and the things he evidently took notice of are hard to believe his character would notice.
It's also not clear who the audience for this book would be. though I would suggest middle school. The perspective and naivete of Alex made it difficult for me as an adult to enjoy, and some of the themes are a bit heavy for the single-digits.
Still, his optimism, tenacity and courage, along with the mostly engaging (but sometimes boring) adventure he goes on, pulling in a whole cast of charmingly flawed characters, redeems this book in my eyes.
This book is such an inspiring and heartfelt read! Alex is a bright , determined, and cheerful kid , he has faced so many hardships but still remains full of hope and joy , the characters in the book are awesome, Carl Sagan and Alex are a duo that makes this book even more incredible. All the friends Alex made along his journey, the family he created was beautiful!
I listened to the audiobook, even though I’ve never been a fan of full cast audiobooks. This one, while one of the better ones I’ve heard, wasn’t fantastic. The kid narrating Alex was great, but Zed’s background laughter was downright creepy, and I wasn’t a fan of the other background sound effects. That’s unnecessary in an audiobook.
Alex started out endearing and very much like one of my students, but soon annoyed the heck out of me. He repeated stories word for word over and over, and while it’s one of his quirks, I had to skip through them. He also was so immune to social cues that it dumbed down his character, rather than enhance it. Yes, it was refreshing to have this type of kid as a main character, as Alex represents a child who does not have a voice in literature, but I think it was too much.
I wish this book had ended with Alex going home, but it didn’t. It drones on for a really long time after that. I admit I skipped a huge portion of the last third of the book, just trying to end it sooner.
Alex started out endearing and very much like one of my students, but soon annoyed the heck out of me. He repeated stories word for word over and over, and while it’s one of his quirks, I had to skip through them. He also was so immune to social cues that it dumbed down his character, rather than enhance it. Yes, it was refreshing to have this type of kid as a main character, as Alex represents a child who does not have a voice in literature, but I think it was too much.
I wish this book had ended with Alex going home, but it didn’t. It drones on for a really long time after that. I admit I skipped a huge portion of the last third of the book, just trying to end it sooner.
wonderful portrayal of serious topics through a child-like lens
This story is very precious and endearing, but not without big, adult feelings. Alex is extremely parentified and has a lot of big stuff he’s trying to work through. A very easy read, good for low skill readers and good for readers with mental illness in the family.
I highly recommend that if you’re going to get this book, get it on audio. The cast of narrators, especially Alex, is amazing and it really works with the way the story is told.