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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Very sweet book.
So much so that I'm willing to overlook that none of Alex's teachers either (a) picked up on the fact that his mother had a significant mental illness, or (b) reported said fact, despite being mandated reporters.
So much so that I'm willing to overlook that none of Alex's teachers either (a) picked up on the fact that his mother had a significant mental illness, or (b) reported said fact, despite being mandated reporters.
I wish we could close the book in half and make it symmetrical. The first half was incredible; the most charming story of a boy going to SHARF; not whitewashed, still handling tough situations, employing some suspension of disbelief, but a very cute ride. When recounting the tragedies of the second half, Josh made me stop listing them when he counted six. I was extremely nervous about the creepy vibes with the sister, and I hate that she was there to provide a love interest/tug-of-war element. That's not what we were looking for with our middle-grade science novel.
This was a wonderfully done audiobook. This book was one of 9 books local children read for their Battle of the Books program. Before I listened/read this book I came across a 5th grade boy raving about how much he loved the book. He tried to explain to me exactly what it was that he loved but all he could manage to get out was "the emotion of it, the emotion of it" and I wasn't sure what he meant. However, while listening to it, I knew exactly what he meant. You get wrapped up in the life and journey of Alex and when Alex experiences disappointment, fear, sadness... you can't help but feel it too. Several times I found myself tearing up while listening to the audiobook.
If you have read this book, I suggest checking out the audiobook.
If you have read this book, I suggest checking out the audiobook.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I don't really read these types of novels so I wasn't expecting to finish this book in one sitting. In fact, I did finish it in one sitting. It wasn't the most impactful book but it was above average in many factors. It had good humor and some cute scenes that touched my heart somehow.
A very simple read. It wasn't complicated at all so I was able to read through it. I was in my reading block before this after reading a lot of YA novels. This book got me reading again (and even finished it). ❤️
A very simple read. It wasn't complicated at all so I was able to read through it. I was in my reading block before this after reading a lot of YA novels. This book got me reading again (and even finished it). ❤️
A-do-rable ❤ j'ai même versé ma petite larme à quelques reprises. j'aime l'idée que dans son malheur, ce petit garçon puisse se re-découvrir une famille et trouver des amis éternels via une passion aussi forte que la fuséologie ❤
C'était vraiment une lecture feel good. Je recommande.
C'était vraiment une lecture feel good. Je recommande.
At first, Alex was annoying. Mostly because this entire book is written via dialogue of the Golden IPod recordings.
Then, I just felt sorry for him.
I was happy that he was lucky enough to run into Zed who looked after an 11 year old who managed to get on a train to go STATES away.
Then Zed bringing him to Steve, and then finding others like Terra along the way.
What I didn't expect? For this book to destroy me like it did towards the ending half.
I was in SHOCK.
I was ENRAGED.
And then I was honestly just sad. This kid who is clearly on the spectrum, who is super sweet and loves space has had to deal with so much before getting a semi happy ending.
I do kind of wish Ronnie, Alex's brother, would have done recordings like Terra started too towards the end.
I think this book would've recieved a 5 star rating if it was written in either 1st or 3rd person. Mostly because there is so much information missed when the ipod isn't recording.
Then, I just felt sorry for him.
I was happy that he was lucky enough to run into Zed who looked after an 11 year old who managed to get on a train to go STATES away.
Then Zed bringing him to Steve, and then finding others like Terra along the way.
What I didn't expect? For this book to destroy me like it did towards the ending half.
I was in SHOCK.
I was ENRAGED.
And then I was honestly just sad. This kid who is clearly on the spectrum, who is super sweet and loves space has had to deal with so much before getting a semi happy ending.
I do kind of wish Ronnie, Alex's brother, would have done recordings like Terra started too towards the end.
I think this book would've recieved a 5 star rating if it was written in either 1st or 3rd person. Mostly because there is so much information missed when the ipod isn't recording.
I read this for the MG Book Village book club. This is a sweet story about an innocent and independent boy who goes to a rocket-launching festival by himself (he is 11) and meets some unusual characters that help him get to Las Vegas to (maybe) find his father, and then to LA where his brother lives. Family, friends, love, and humor are all in this story.
This is a lovely debut novel about the weaving together of a new family from disparate threads. The protagonist and narrator Alex (eleven, with a "responsibility age" of 13) has an engaging and authentic voice, and the story has the earnest DNA of Marcello in the Real World, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. There's both heartbreak and great humor, and I found the comedy enhanced by a read-aloud. Braid this with the recent childhood biography of Carl Sagan.
Alex is a funny, smart, and strong kid. He's 11 years old and venturing alone to a rocket festival in order to launch his homemade rocket and Golden iPod into space just like his hero, Carl Sagan launched a Golden Record into space so many years ago. Alex brings his dog, aptly named Carl Sagan along for a journey that takes them many places from Colorado to New Mexico, Las Vegas, California, and back where they meet many new friends along the way, discover new secrets, and find out life isn't always as it seems but "if you're only brave when you're happy then it's not bravery."
I listened to the audiobook after reading a friend's review because it has great sound effects, a full cast, and honestly, brought more emotion to the story for me.
I listened to the audiobook after reading a friend's review because it has great sound effects, a full cast, and honestly, brought more emotion to the story for me.