This Young Adult book will be enjoyed by adults too, provided they don't mind the unusual format. Alex is a space-obsessed kid of eleven who is busy recording a message to aliens on other planets, and he wants to send a Golden iPod into space on his own rocket. The book contains the transcript of his adventures as he records. SEE YOU IN THE COSMOS, CARL SAGAN tells of bravery, friendship, losing and finding, being lucky and learning about many adult issues.

Carl Sagan, aside from being a cosmologist, is also the name of Alex's dog. At the start Alex from Colorado is heading off cheerfully to a rocket convention in Albuquerque, never dreaming that unaccompanied kids might not be let onto a train. His mom's having one of her quiet days, and isn't very responsive, so he just leaves her at home and goes with his dog. Alex is, of course, very lucky to meet helpful adults along his journey and not come to any harm, but some parental guidance might be required if you give the book to a child.

Those who are following Elon Musk's efforts to get SpaceX achieving reusable spacecraft and a trip to Mars, will recognise a similar figure in Lander Civet whose company draws all eyes at the convention. But the quieter figures like Zed, who meditates and has taken a vow of silence for part of the tale, are also part of the popular space effort. Alex is using a genealogy website to dig up any details about his late father, and a possible match is made with an address in Las Vegas. Zed and his pal Steve happen to be headed that way, and while they know it's irresponsible to take Alex, maybe they can deliver him safely to his brother who is not too far away. Cue a road trip all recorded by the kid.

Amid some fun and astronomy jokes, we learn some big lessons and see more than one hospital; we get genuinely worried for Alex and rejoice in the kindness of strangers. Jack Cheng who was born in Shanghai and raised in America, has worked in advertising and design. I'm tempted to think that he came up with an idea for an audiobook first and decided he'd better write the paper version, complete with sound effects. SEE YOU IN THE COSMOS, CARL SAGAN reminds us to just get started and work towards a goal. I really enjoyed the unusual light read.