See You in the Cosmos

I found my pup Carl Sagan in the parking lot at Safeway, and when I saw him he was dirty and hungry and hiding behind a dumpster. I said, Come here boy, don t be scared, but he was crying and curling his tail because we were still strangers at that point. I told him I m not going to hurt him, I m a pacifist, and I guess he believed me because when I picked him up he didn t even fight me or try to run. Then I took him back to my house and my mom was lying on the sofa watching her shows like she usually does, and I told her I got the groceries but I got a pup also and I ll take good care of him I promise, I ll play with him and feed him and give him a bath and all the stuff you re supposed to say.

And she said, You re in the way! So I got out of the way. My best friend Benji s mom would freak if he brought home a pup, but my mom, she doesn t care as long as I make us dinner and don t bother her when she s watching her shows. She s a pretty cool mom.

I don t know what kind of shows you guys have but the ones my mom likes are game shows and judge shows and shows with five ladies sitting in a fake living room. When I m at Benji s house we watch Cartoon Network because his family has On Demand, and Benji loves Battlemorph Academy and so do a lot of the kids at school. I think that show s OK but I prefer the more classic cartoons likeDexter s Laboratory to be honest. That Dexter is one smart kid. I hate it when his sister Didi goes in and messes up everything. I m glad I don t have a sister to mess up my stuff, especially when I m working on my rocket.

I do have an older brother though. His name is Ronnie but everyone calls him RJ except my mom and me and some of his old high school friends because his middle name is James. Ronnie s a lot older, he s more than twice how old I am. He s twenty-four. He lives in Los Angeles and his job is an agent, and I know what you re thinking but he s not that kind of agent. He s not a spy or Bond, James Bond kind of agent. He doesn t fight terrorists or bust drug dealers or play poker with super-villains. He helps basketball and football players get shoe commercials. But he does go to fancy parties and wear sunglasses, so I guess it s kind of the same.

Ronnie wouldn t let me keep Carl Sagan at first. He never likes it when my mom and me spend his money on stuff that isn t groceries or bills for our house. When I told him about Carl Sagan over the phone he said, Uh-uh, we can t afford a dog. I said I think

magnificent, compassionate heart to remind us that we humans are first, last, and always creatures of hope. Jack Cheng is as brilliant as his debut, and more than that, he is wise. His novel made me want to be a better person. Paul Griffin, author When Friendship Followed Me Home

Beauty . . . hilarity . . . poignancy . . . this unique novel s journey [is] one totally worth taking.   The Christian Science Monitor

"[An] absorbing, irresistible road trip story. . . . [Alex's] stubborn optimism is irresistible and inspiring."  Common Sense Media

Exuberant and utterly believable.   Booklist

I was absolutely mesmerized by this book! . . . Mr. Cheng s incredible storytelling reaffirmed my belief that creativity is still very much alive . . . . A wonderful read for middle grade-aged readers and beyond!   BookRiot

It is not always that we read a novel that so powerfully affirms our human capacity for grace and love and understanding; we need this book for the ways in which it gives us more to be human beings with. And it gives us Alex, whose face is turned to the stars. Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now

"Alex Petroski has a big mind, big dreams, and a big heart. His story is full of the real kind of magic friends well-met, surprising journeys, and heartbreak and hope. This is a beautiful book." Ally Condie, author of Matched 

"Full of innocence and unwavering optimism, leaving the reader incapable of not rooting for Alex. . . .  This book skillfully explores the many emotions of an eleven-year-old boy and shows how young and old alike can bond over a love of science."  SLC

"Inspiring."  Time for Kids

"Luminous and heartfelt, 11-year-old Alex Petroski s story will grab your heart and expand it." ImaginationSoup

[See You in the Cosmos] reminded me a little of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon . . . [Cheng s is] a very touching book. GeekDad

"[A] poignant, memorable debut . . . entirely and deeply human."  The Guardian