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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
This is an absolute delight! I keep wondering how some authors manage to write in a child's voice succesfully. The choice of words, the wonder and curiosity and unconscious maturity.
Indeed, when the aliens listened to his recordings they would think how incredible the Earthlings are. Though for older people, the story or side-stories, are sad and heartbreaking. You'd get a hint at those background conversations or those observations innocently told by Alex. And we are all wishing that we could see life through a child's eyes; the fun, adventurous, hopeful life ahead.
Also, I really liked that Cheng made Alex a half-Filipino and mentioned Lolo and Lola without italics. Somehow representation makes reading even better.
Indeed, when the aliens listened to his recordings they would think how incredible the Earthlings are. Though for older people, the story or side-stories, are sad and heartbreaking. You'd get a hint at those background conversations or those observations innocently told by Alex. And we are all wishing that we could see life through a child's eyes; the fun, adventurous, hopeful life ahead.
Also, I really liked that Cheng made Alex a half-Filipino and mentioned Lolo and Lola without italics. Somehow representation makes reading even better.
This is a story of a wonderful kid called Alex. This book defines how I sometimes feel inside, I stayed attached to this book and I have to say: Thank god my school made us read this book!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this so much (particularly the audiobook). Why did it take me to long to get around to reading it?!! It's been on my NetGalley TBR for literally 7 years!!!!
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this book but I didn't love it. I liked Alex, the main character, who was 11 (with the responsibility age of 13!) and that his dog was with him. I also liked the layout of the book, set out as recordings that documented his journey. However, I feel it was a bit young for me and although I enjoyed it I don't feel I engaged with it the way I would've done had I read it at a younger age. It was just a good book for me, nothing special but I can see how some people, especially younger readers, would fall in love with it.
adventurous
inspiring
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't quite put this into words. That was gorgeous. Strange. Weird. Funny. Heart wrenching. Brilliant.
The story is told through a collection of transcripts from recordings Jack is making on his iPod with a plan to launch it into space on a rocket that he's been building as a beacon to any intelligent lifeforms that my be out there. He's doing this as a kind of homage to Carl Sagan (the scientist not the dog Alex has named after his hero), who was partially responsible for the golden disc sent up on the voyager probe.
After a solo trip from Colorado to New Mexico (remember that Alex is only 11), a massive road trip ensues. Gathering (and losing) companions, Alex moves from New Mexico Back to Colorado via a collection of other places. This is where stuff gets deep. There are discoveries about the past, hopes for the future, learning about humanity, discovering the meaning of family among some very outrageous (back street casinos in Las Vegas) adventures, and some more mundane yet adorable ones (apple pie a la mode).
There are parts of this, especially towards the end, that feel really grown up, and then Alex will say something so sweet and innocent and literal that I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Full of happiness, hope optimism and heart, I would recommend this to everyone!
This was so close to a 5 star book, I was just mildly uncomfortable with an 11 year old doing what Alex did.
Received as an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told through a collection of transcripts from recordings Jack is making on his iPod with a plan to launch it into space on a rocket that he's been building as a beacon to any intelligent lifeforms that my be out there. He's doing this as a kind of homage to Carl Sagan (the scientist not the dog Alex has named after his hero), who was partially responsible for the golden disc sent up on the voyager probe.
After a solo trip from Colorado to New Mexico (remember that Alex is only 11), a massive road trip ensues. Gathering (and losing) companions, Alex moves from New Mexico Back to Colorado via a collection of other places. This is where stuff gets deep. There are discoveries about the past, hopes for the future, learning about humanity, discovering the meaning of family among some very outrageous (back street casinos in Las Vegas) adventures, and some more mundane yet adorable ones (apple pie a la mode).
There are parts of this, especially towards the end, that feel really grown up, and then Alex will say something so sweet and innocent and literal that I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Full of happiness, hope optimism and heart, I would recommend this to everyone!
This was so close to a 5 star book, I was just mildly uncomfortable with an 11 year old doing what Alex did.
Received as an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.