Alex is a resourceful 11 year old who looks after his mother and is obsessed with science, rockets and outer space. He decides to record messages on his I pod which will be sent via rocket to aliens on Mars. His unusual adventure is told through these messages.
Although the target audience is young teens, adults too will enjoy the multi layers of this novel. Alex works out the meanings of love, truth, bravery and family whilst meeting new friends and relations.
I enjoyed this novel and learnt new facts about rockets and space exploration. However, I felt that some issues may be too complex for the target audience to absorb and some characters not fully developed such as the young man on the train.

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.

I think this book is a very good example of nontraditional writing style. Written as the transcripts of audio recordings that Alex our MC records in the hope of emulating his hero Carl Sagan. This book is a good road trip discovery story for kids but also touches on hard hitting topics such as depression (in his mother), non-nuclear family types and perhaps mild autism in Alex himself?
Overall I thought this book was good and would recommend for kids aged 10+

I loved this book! It is so important to use books in the classroom that show diversity in a non-preachy and relatable way and this lovely book does it in spades. Alex is such an enchanting character you really feel like he's come alive by the time you've finished reading. I just know that my classes would adore this book and there are so many teaching ideas that I kept thinking about as I was reading it. I loved the curious incident but I think that Jack Cheng has created a character that will definitely appeal to younger readers in a much more relatable way. The space theme is so relevant right now after pupils have been mesmerised by Tim Peak and astronauts and I know that the boys I teach will really enjoy going on Alex's journey with him. Will definitely recommend buying as a department. A fabulous escapist, human and touching read. Loved it.

See You in the Cosmos is written as a series of recordings, made by Alex Petroski, emulating his hero, Carl Sagan, who sent the Golden Record into space. The story follows Alex as he first treks to a rocket convention, and then home (via a circuitous route), finding new friends and family along the way.

I genuinely don't know how to describe this book. It's a wonderful read, though very emotional, and made even more so by dint of being from Alex's point of view. There were several parts which had me near tears. It may be marketed as a middle grade book, but I think that it's one everyone can read and enjoy.

The characters are also amazing, and I loved every single one of them. They're wonderfully flawed human, and best of all, they're realistic. On occasion, I feel like books aimed at younger children try to simplify things overly, but this book didn't have that problem. It has discussions about love, and family, and even touches on mental illnesses.

I really just don't know how to put into words just how much I loved this book. Everything about it was brilliant, and undoubtedly I'll be going back to it over and over to reread. It's gone straight onto my favourites list, and you can bet I'll be telling everyone to read it once it's out.

A sweet lovely book for teens. I liked the format of a young person talking into an i pod to aliens. I would clearly aeal more to young people than my own age group but I would encourage any parent or gran parent to read and buy it for presents. I loved the wit and bravery of this boy Alex, he had a lot to deal with and came through his adventures, ups and downs well. Often alone with no one but strangers around him he quickly makes friends and is determined to follow his plan. Not wanting to spoil this I will just say read it!