About This Book
See You in the Cosmos is an epistolary novel told through audio recordings by 11-year-old Alex Petroski, who plans to launch his golden iPod into space. What begins as a scientific quest quickly turns into a profound road trip as Alex, accompanied by his dog Carl Sagan, uncovers the truth about his late father and his mother's mental illness. The book sensitively explores themes of grief, family secrets, the power of connection, and finding your place in the universe, all through Alex's endearing, optimistic, and often humorous perspective. It's a heartwarming story about resilience and the unexpected ways we find family.
Eleven-year-old Alex Petroski is determined to launch his golden iPod into space, just like his hero Carl Sagan launched the Golden Record into space ages and ages ago. Instead, Alex and his dog, aptly named Carl Sagan, wind up on a road trip with so
Concepts
Curiosity & WonderLove & FamilyResilience & PerseveranceSelf-Confidence & IdentityLoneliness & BelongingFriendship & LoyaltyCreativity & ImaginationEmpathy & KindnessSadness & GriefFear & BraveryTeamwork & CollaborationHonesty & IntegrityFamily IllnessDeath of a Loved OneGrowing UpMaking FriendsBeing DifferentSibling RivalrySpaceDogsFamily & SiblingsAdventureFriendship & Social
mental_health_themes
Violence
separation_from_parent
Character Death
Discussion Prompts
1
What does Alex learn about family that he didn't know before his trip?
2
How does Alex's recording style help us understand his feelings and the story?
3
What does 'connection' mean in this book, and how does Alex find it?
4
How does Alex show bravery when facing difficult truths about his family?
5
If you could send a message into space like Alex, what would you include on your recording?
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