Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Read for Librarian Book Group
Eleven-year-old Alex loves rockets, and his dog Carl Sagan. He is headed to New Mexico to launch the rocket he built at a rocket enthusiast festival. We know about these things, because he's recording information on his golden iPod, which will be included in the rocket launch, just like his hero Carl Sagan launched the Golden Record into space.
Why is Alex traveling alone to New Mexico from Colorado? Does his rocket launch go as planned? Who does he meet on his travels? This is one of those books that reads like a dream, and manages to be funny, sad and hopeful. It's one of those books I read without stopping, because I was enjoying myself so much.
Eleven-year-old Alex loves rockets, and his dog Carl Sagan. He is headed to New Mexico to launch the rocket he built at a rocket enthusiast festival. We know about these things, because he's recording information on his golden iPod, which will be included in the rocket launch, just like his hero Carl Sagan launched the Golden Record into space.
Why is Alex traveling alone to New Mexico from Colorado? Does his rocket launch go as planned? Who does he meet on his travels? This is one of those books that reads like a dream, and manages to be funny, sad and hopeful. It's one of those books I read without stopping, because I was enjoying myself so much.
fast-paced
I stayed up past 1am to finish this when I’ve got an early shift because I didn’t want to leave Alex and his thoughts too soon. I love Alex and truly want nothing bad to happen to him ever.
What a beautiful piece of work this was.
What a beautiful piece of work this was.
The dictated diary format worked surprisingly well. Alex's story is charming, full of wonder and interesting turns. He's such a nerd, and that's always a good thing, especially as he ends up with having nice people around him. This is worth reading for adults as well, if you want to read something light that'll make you feel good in the end.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ahhh this story warmed my heart :,) It worked so well as an audiobook! Children's books are sometimes the best!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
Great device of Alex recording on his "Golden iPod" so he can send it up into space for the intelligent life he's sure is out there--just like his hero, Carl Sagan, did.
Hearing the story through Alex's recordings is pretty brilliant: it lets us into his head, and we can also hear what happens and other people's reactions. Alex's POV and voice are unique: he's both smart and naive, and always wondering, questioning. For example, Alex says his mom lets him do things like have a dog because she's cool. She's actually mentally ill--depressed? Hoarder? Abused wife? Gradually becoming schizophrenic. Thats how Alex ends up on Amtrak alone (except for Carl Sagan, his dog) on his way to a desert rocket launch.
Luckily, he meets some people who take him under their wing(s), and they end up on a road trip of sorts. He finds Terra, a half sister he never knew he had, loses Carl Sagan for a while, and comes home with a bunch of people (including his distant older brother Ronnie) who can help his mom begin to cope.
Rich and involving, great side characters. An 11-yr kid with the "responsibility age" of 13.
Hearing the story through Alex's recordings is pretty brilliant: it lets us into his head, and we can also hear what happens and other people's reactions. Alex's POV and voice are unique: he's both smart and naive, and always wondering, questioning. For example, Alex says his mom lets him do things like have a dog because she's cool. She's actually mentally ill--depressed? Hoarder? Abused wife? Gradually becoming schizophrenic. Thats how Alex ends up on Amtrak alone (except for Carl Sagan, his dog) on his way to a desert rocket launch.
Luckily, he meets some people who take him under their wing(s), and they end up on a road trip of sorts. He finds Terra, a half sister he never knew he had, loses Carl Sagan for a while, and comes home with a bunch of people (including his distant older brother Ronnie) who can help his mom begin to cope.
Rich and involving, great side characters. An 11-yr kid with the "responsibility age" of 13.
I listened to this on audio, and I'm not a huge fan of the "full cast" recording nor of sound effects in my audio books, but I suspect others really like that added auditory experience.