You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
I LOVED this book. Even when I was only halfway through, I was recommending it to people. So good. It was fun, it was adventurous, it was even suspenseful at times! I listened to this as an audiobook and the cast was SO good, too. Much like the physical book, the audiobook is set up as recordings on the Golden iPod. I thought that was very interesting. There are times when it's live and in the moment, and times when Alex is relaying something that had just happened or memories from when he was younger that tie into the story.
There are a lot of things that happen in this book, but they fit together so well. From Alex going to New Mexico for the rocket launch to meeting Terra to going to LA to find his brother to going back home and finding his mom is missing. Did I mention there's quite a bit of suspense and adventure?
Also, this could be alternately titled The Dog Comes Home Near The End. PHEW. I know, a bit of a spoiler, BUT he gets lost at one point and just in case someone thinks they're going to read a book in which the dog is missing forever or otherwise gone... NOPE. *cheers*
This book is just so special. There are some conversations that seem very big for an 11 year old, but Alex is such an amazing kid.
Themes: SCIENCE!, a parent with a mental disorder, a parent that passed away, second families, the best doggo in the world, bravery
Also, the book doesn't dive too deep into it, but Alex mentions that his mom is of Philippine descent and Ronnie mentions when Lolo and Lola came to visit.
There are a lot of things that happen in this book, but they fit together so well. From Alex going to New Mexico for the rocket launch to meeting Terra to going to LA to find his brother to going back home and finding his mom is missing. Did I mention there's quite a bit of suspense and adventure?
Also, this could be alternately titled The Dog Comes Home Near The End. PHEW. I know, a bit of a spoiler, BUT he gets lost at one point and just in case someone thinks they're going to read a book in which the dog is missing forever or otherwise gone... NOPE. *cheers*
This book is just so special. There are some conversations that seem very big for an 11 year old, but Alex is such an amazing kid.
Themes: SCIENCE!, a parent with a mental disorder, a parent that passed away, second families, the best doggo in the world, bravery
Also, the book doesn't dive too deep into it, but Alex mentions that his mom is of Philippine descent and Ronnie mentions when Lolo and Lola came to visit.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
See You in the Cosmos is very different. I feel that this is one book that would be better read via audiobook. While I really enjoyed the book, I kept thinking how much I wanted to hear what was happening and I think I probably will give this a listen as some point in the future.
The story itself is charming if not somewhat unbelievable, especially in today’s world. However, it is well written and the plot runs along the lines of books like The Pilgramage of Harold Fry - which I really enjoyed.
See You in the Cosmos is a charmingly beautiful story of family, friends, love, loss, hopes and childhood dreams, positivity and science. Definitely one to add to your list but I’d advise people to listen via audiobook rather than reading the manuscript - I feel like the audiobook would further add to an already very good little story.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jack Cheng and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story itself is charming if not somewhat unbelievable, especially in today’s world. However, it is well written and the plot runs along the lines of books like The Pilgramage of Harold Fry - which I really enjoyed.
See You in the Cosmos is a charmingly beautiful story of family, friends, love, loss, hopes and childhood dreams, positivity and science. Definitely one to add to your list but I’d advise people to listen via audiobook rather than reading the manuscript - I feel like the audiobook would further add to an already very good little story.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jack Cheng and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
See You in the Cosmos is very different. I feel that this is one book that would be better read via audiobook. While I really enjoyed the book, I kept thinking how much I wanted to hear what was happening and I think I probably will give this a listen as some point in the future.
The story itself is charming if not somewhat unbelievable, especially in today’s world. However, it is well written and the plot runs along the lines of books like The Pilgramage of Harold Fry - which I really enjoyed.
See You in the Cosmos is a charmingly beautiful story of family, friends, love, loss, hopes and childhood dreams, positivity and science. Definitely one to add to your list but I’d advise people to listen via audiobook rather than reading the manuscript - I feel like the audiobook would further add to an already very good little story.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jack Cheng and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story itself is charming if not somewhat unbelievable, especially in today’s world. However, it is well written and the plot runs along the lines of books like The Pilgramage of Harold Fry - which I really enjoyed.
See You in the Cosmos is a charmingly beautiful story of family, friends, love, loss, hopes and childhood dreams, positivity and science. Definitely one to add to your list but I’d advise people to listen via audiobook rather than reading the manuscript - I feel like the audiobook would further add to an already very good little story.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jack Cheng and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
MS Realistic Adventure
Target Audience: 5th-7th grade
Summary:
Main Characters: Alex (An 11 year old rocket enthusiast); Zed (Rocket enthusiast Alex meets); Steve (Rocket enthusiast Alex meets); Ronnie (Alex's brother)
Setting: Rockview, Colorado; Albuquerque; Las Vegas; Los Angeles,
Narrative: Alex is making recordings to send into space on his homemade rocket, just like NASA sent a golden record of information about Earth on the satellite Voyager. In order to launch his recordings on a homemade rocket, Alex travels alone from Rockview, Colorade to Albuquerque to participate in SHARF, an amateur rocket competition. When his rocket crashes, Alex salvages his Golden iPod and continues recording his adventures. An email from ancestry.com gives Alex new information about his long dead father, sending him and his internet rocket friends on a quest to uncover more of his family's secrets.
Strengths & Weaknesses:
The book starts slow -- I almost got bored with Alex's recordings around page 80. However, when the story shifts from Alex's obsession with aliens and rockets to his family, both the narrative style and pacing really work well. Cheng's use of "recordings" lets him switch between narrators easily and naturally. Also, the changing between script format and just Alex's narration helps make the dialog feel natural, while still letting the reader hear Alex's thoughts and feelings. Alex is a very sympathetic character and his voice helps the author approach very serious subjects (mental illness in the family, parental infidelity, being visited by social workers) in an age appropriate way.
I wonder if having all the internet people Alex meets be good and kind might send the wrong message to kids.
Personal critique:
I finished the last 240 pages of this page in one sitting. This is an excellent book for any student dealing with hard situations at home and who needs to feel like they're not alone or hear some words of support. Alex wrestles with some big issues about growing up in a kid-friendly way but also a very honest way.
Illustrations:
No Illustrations
Notable awards:
None.
Lesson Planning:
This would be a good example book when talking about different styles of narration. It might even be a nice read in a science class, showing how finding something you're passionate about can be an anchor when other things are going tough.
Target Audience: 5th-7th grade
Summary:
Main Characters: Alex (An 11 year old rocket enthusiast); Zed (Rocket enthusiast Alex meets); Steve (Rocket enthusiast Alex meets); Ronnie (Alex's brother)
Setting: Rockview, Colorado; Albuquerque; Las Vegas; Los Angeles,
Narrative: Alex is making recordings to send into space on his homemade rocket, just like NASA sent a golden record of information about Earth on the satellite Voyager. In order to launch his recordings on a homemade rocket, Alex travels alone from Rockview, Colorade to Albuquerque to participate in SHARF, an amateur rocket competition. When his rocket crashes, Alex salvages his Golden iPod and continues recording his adventures. An email from ancestry.com gives Alex new information about his long dead father, sending him and his internet rocket friends on a quest to uncover more of his family's secrets.
Strengths & Weaknesses:
The book starts slow -- I almost got bored with Alex's recordings around page 80. However, when the story shifts from Alex's obsession with aliens and rockets to his family, both the narrative style and pacing really work well. Cheng's use of "recordings" lets him switch between narrators easily and naturally. Also, the changing between script format and just Alex's narration helps make the dialog feel natural, while still letting the reader hear Alex's thoughts and feelings. Alex is a very sympathetic character and his voice helps the author approach very serious subjects (mental illness in the family, parental infidelity, being visited by social workers) in an age appropriate way.
I wonder if having all the internet people Alex meets be good and kind might send the wrong message to kids.
Personal critique:
I finished the last 240 pages of this page in one sitting. This is an excellent book for any student dealing with hard situations at home and who needs to feel like they're not alone or hear some words of support. Alex wrestles with some big issues about growing up in a kid-friendly way but also a very honest way.
Illustrations:
No Illustrations
Notable awards:
None.
Lesson Planning:
This would be a good example book when talking about different styles of narration. It might even be a nice read in a science class, showing how finding something you're passionate about can be an anchor when other things are going tough.