Thursday, August 12, 2010

Book Review-Cosmic

By Frank Cottrell Boyce
Published by Harper Collins Childrens
Released on January 19th, 2010 (1st published on July 30th, 2008)
Ages: 8-12
Source: The Publisher
3.5 stars- it's a good read

Liam has always felt a bit like he's stuck between two worlds. This is primarily because he's a twelve year old kid who looks like he's about thirty. Sometimes it's not so bad, like when his new principal mistakes him for a teacher on the first day of school or when he convinces a car dealer to let him take a Porsche out on a test drive. But mostly it's just frustrating, being a kid trapped in an adult world. And so he decides to flip things around. Liam cons his way onto the first spaceship to take civilians into space, a special flight for a group of kids and an adult chaperone, and he is going as the adult chaperone. It's not long before Liam, along with his friends, is stuck between two worlds again-only time he's 239,000 miles from home (taken from the book's inside cover).

Cosmic is a fun, heart warming read as Liam is having a very hard time with being trapped in both the kid world and the adult world. I mean, if you looked like you were 30 and could grow a beard, what 12 year old would want to be doing kid stuff. The delightful thing with Liam, is his humorous voice. Liam also struggles with feeling like he can't live up his parent's expectations of him and that his parent's don't love him. He struggles with being a kid trapped inside an adult body. At least he finds joy in being able do things most 12 years couldn't do, like act like a teacher or take a Porsche for a test drive.

When Liam cons his way into a trip of the life time, a trip to the moon and back, he gets his friend Florida to go with him and act like his daughter. During this trip when things go wrong, Liam realizes that being adult isn't what all it's cracked up to be. He and the few other kids must work together to make it back to earth. I liked that while Liam, who was so quick to want to grow up, realizes there's plenty to enjoy being a kid. Liam never felt like he fit in, but in a rocket orbiting the moon, he felt like he was someone and not a freak or a "gifted and talented" student. He also realizes that parent's who love their kids will never give up on them and will do everything they can to help them.

Cosmic is a book that young readers will enjoy. Liam is a character with a humorous, refreshing out look on life. He's a great reminder to enjoy each stage you're in life. Being an adult isn't always as fun as being a kid.

You can find out more about Frank Cottrell Boyce and Cosmic, here at Harper Collins Children's site http://tinyurl.com/24drjdc
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~