I listened to the audiobook version of this novel and it is one of the most entertaining audiobooks I have listened to. It really was brilliantly done with a complete cast, so the story truly came alive with the voices of the different voice actors. See you in the cosmos is a first-person narrative told by the main character, Alex Petroski. Alex is an eleven-year-old aspiring rocket scientist who records his life story on his iPod with the aim of sharing it with the ‘extraterrestrials’ in the universe. This is the start of Alex’s adventure where he hopes to launch his iPod into outer space at the Southwest High-Altitude Rocket Festival (SHARF) for rocket enthusiasts, located near Alburquerque, New Mexico.

See you in the cosmos is both moving and hilarious in parts. Alex is likeable (just like Auggie is likeable in Wonder), he’s intelligent, self-sufficient (reasons for Alex’s self-sufficiency become clear as the novel progresses) and he is a caring and kind boy. See you in the cosmos is a thoroughly enjoyable novel which I could easily listen to or read again. I think Year 7 and Year 8 students would enjoy this book, however, it is the type of story that could be enjoyed by all ages, including adults wanting something a little different and inspirational. Alex’s adventure is also very much about family, relationships, life and the ‘cosmos’ (as the title states). The final chapter is beautifully told. If you are looking for an unusual, realistic fiction then this could be the next book for you. 

Mrs Sylaprany