Scan barcode
hangngt_'s review against another edition
3.0
This was a very meaningful book and I appreciate that but it was also quite boring and slow. I didn’t really care much for the characters except 2. I don’t even remember much that happened in the story, but I could grasp the main idea.
lestradez0's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first book by Jack Cheng and to be frank, I love the book. It's such a great opportunity to be on this journey with Alex and Carl Sagan and I enjoyed every moment of it.
The book is told through a recording of an 11-year-old boy, which is unlike other books I've read. The book caused me to reflect on my life in a variety of ways. It truly alters your perspective of the world. It truly makes you consider the words "love, bravery, truth," as well as other common, overused phrases. I also admire the main character's emotional intelligence and his enthusiasm for his little iPod project.
Throughout his journey, you can learn many things. Many quotes hit me hard:
"Knowledge is better than ignorance, and it's better to find out and embrace the truth even if that truth might not feel good"
- Alex Petroski
I agree with Alex wholeheartedly. The truth is far better than a lie in the long run. Lies only add to the suffering. Once the truth has been revealed and the person is aware that you lied to them, they are left with the agony of not being able to trust you. Being truthful to someone is far less painful than them later discovering the truth, which will undoubtedly happen - it always does.
I know Ronnie only wants to protect his little brother but the truth is inevitable. And no matter how hard you want to protect someone from this cruel world, you can't. Without pain, without all the bad things this world can offer you, you won't learn and you definitely won't grow. Everyone deserves the truth no matter how painful the truth is.
"A man is only as good as his word."
- Alex Petroski
A man’s honour, his word, is the only thing that cannot be taken away from him by someone else. To be dishonourable you must give up your honour with intention. Finding an honourable man, someone who will act on principle even if it is not in his best interest is a rare thing.
"He had to do what was best for his family, even if that meant that he wouldn't get to see them. Even if it hurt him that he wouldn't get to be with them. He had to take responsibility - real responsibility - for his actions. That's what it means to be an adult"
- Ronnie Petroski
The book is told through a recording of an 11-year-old boy, which is unlike other books I've read. The book caused me to reflect on my life in a variety of ways. It truly alters your perspective of the world. It truly makes you consider the words "love, bravery, truth," as well as other common, overused phrases. I also admire the main character's emotional intelligence and his enthusiasm for his little iPod project.
Throughout his journey, you can learn many things. Many quotes hit me hard:
"Knowledge is better than ignorance, and it's better to find out and embrace the truth even if that truth might not feel good"
- Alex Petroski
I agree with Alex wholeheartedly. The truth is far better than a lie in the long run. Lies only add to the suffering. Once the truth has been revealed and the person is aware that you lied to them, they are left with the agony of not being able to trust you. Being truthful to someone is far less painful than them later discovering the truth, which will undoubtedly happen - it always does.
I know Ronnie only wants to protect his little brother but the truth is inevitable. And no matter how hard you want to protect someone from this cruel world, you can't. Without pain, without all the bad things this world can offer you, you won't learn and you definitely won't grow. Everyone deserves the truth no matter how painful the truth is.
"A man is only as good as his word."
- Alex Petroski
A man’s honour, his word, is the only thing that cannot be taken away from him by someone else. To be dishonourable you must give up your honour with intention. Finding an honourable man, someone who will act on principle even if it is not in his best interest is a rare thing.
"He had to do what was best for his family, even if that meant that he wouldn't get to see them. Even if it hurt him that he wouldn't get to be with them. He had to take responsibility - real responsibility - for his actions. That's what it means to be an adult"
- Ronnie Petroski
bluepolaroid's review against another edition
5.0
I read the entire book while I was in a waiting room, so it felt like I lived the entire adventure with Alex, it was fun, kept me entertained.
I'm not too much of a fan of books where the main character is a kid but I really enjoyed this story for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, I could feel like I was in Alex place even though I'm older than him, I don't know if it was because of the character traits or because it was narrated in recordings but I could feel clueless at times when the other people hide things from him, I was really curious and there were times when I caught myself thinking something before Alex said it, it reminded me of how it felt like to be a kid.
I think it's a very unique story because I've read books with dysfunctional families and most of the time they focus on the bad things, or how the main character feels when he has to deal with this situations, so it felt very different to see Alex's POV, because most of the time he was worried about his dog or his rocket or the recordings.
He did do some risky decisions but, I mean, he's a kid! He was pretty smart for his age but that doesn't stop him from misunderstanding, throwing tantrums and thrusting easily.
It showed me how kids see the world and it made me enjoy the book so much!
Oh, and the cover is gorgeous!
I'm not too much of a fan of books where the main character is a kid but I really enjoyed this story for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, I could feel like I was in Alex place even though I'm older than him, I don't know if it was because of the character traits or because it was narrated in recordings but I could feel clueless at times when the other people hide things from him, I was really curious and there were times when I caught myself thinking something before Alex said it, it reminded me of how it felt like to be a kid.
I think it's a very unique story because I've read books with dysfunctional families and most of the time they focus on the bad things, or how the main character feels when he has to deal with this situations, so it felt very different to see Alex's POV, because most of the time he was worried about his dog or his rocket or the recordings.
He did do some risky decisions but, I mean, he's a kid! He was pretty smart for his age but that doesn't stop him from misunderstanding, throwing tantrums and thrusting easily.
It showed me how kids see the world and it made me enjoy the book so much!
Oh, and the cover is gorgeous!
elinl1713's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
juller's review against another edition
4.0
The main character, Alex, is an eleven year old boy. He is recording on an Ipod to send it to outer space in hopes that intelligent extraterrestrial life will find the ipod. The chapters, for the most part, are the recordings Alex has made to the ipod. This gives the book a unique style.
Though the main character is only eleven, the book may appeal to slightly older readers as well since, as Alex puts it, his "responsibility age is 13." Through the course of this book, Alex deals with several issues during a journey that starts with him going to a rocket launching contest in a neighboring state: he makes new friends, meets a half sister he didn't know he had, and has to confront the fact that his mom has a mental illness which may mean he has to live elsewhere.
Other topics are Drinking, dad is a womanizer
Though the main character is only eleven, the book may appeal to slightly older readers as well since, as Alex puts it, his "responsibility age is 13." Through the course of this book, Alex deals with several issues during a journey that starts with him going to a rocket launching contest in a neighboring state: he makes new friends, meets a half sister he didn't know he had, and has to confront the fact that his mom has a mental illness which may mean he has to live elsewhere.
Other topics are Drinking, dad is a womanizer
belwood303's review against another edition
2.0
Real mixed feelings here.
Being from Colorado I realize I'm just being petty about that fact(s) that there is no city of Rockview, that Belmar is a shopping complex in Lakewood, and Amtrak doesn't just pick up from anywhere. Maybe I'm just a little peeved someone from California/Michigan/New York would just invent places where I live.
Really the rest of my review is just me being picky and not satisfied with anything and who needs that.
Being from Colorado I realize I'm just being petty about that fact(s) that there is no city of Rockview, that Belmar is a shopping complex in Lakewood, and Amtrak doesn't just pick up from anywhere. Maybe I'm just a little peeved someone from California/Michigan/New York would just invent places where I live.
Really the rest of my review is just me being picky and not satisfied with anything and who needs that.
deschatjes's review against another edition
4.0
Great and compelling story. Will need some context and background for my students on Carl Sagan etc. Very likeable protagonist- the encounters with strangers who become friends and allies ... hmmm nice alternative to all the stranger danger messages but so many good and helpful people driving for hours cross country.
Deals with mental illness and life trauma in a sensitive but non euphemistic way that’s refreshing.
Deals with mental illness and life trauma in a sensitive but non euphemistic way that’s refreshing.
jjuliaagriss's review against another edition
5.0
Such a cute book. Alex is absolutely adorable.
The plot was great and I enjoyed experiencing the story from his point of view.
Very quick read!
The plot was great and I enjoyed experiencing the story from his point of view.
Very quick read!
mhugie2's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautiful book. I loved the format and how the story unfurled. The author wasn't afraid to talk about how overwhelming feelings make us do things we are not always proud of.