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Cosmic Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,901 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Liam has always felt a bit like he's stuck between two worlds. This isprimarily 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 this time he's 239,000 miles from home.
Frank Cottrell Boyce, author of Millions and Framed, brings us a funny and touching story of the many ways in which grown-upness is truly wasted on grown-ups.
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"Frank Cottrell Boyce knows how to spin an exciting tale. Right from the beginning, Liam, the main character, seemed out of place with his peers. Boyce was able to use a few humorous examples to demonstrate how Liam didn't really fit in with any group, and most middle-school-aged kids can relate to that feeling on some level. His (Liam's) enjoyment of adventure and willingness to take risks continued to get him into outrageous situations in the book, but despite their outrageousness the reader could see how each little event led up to positioning Liam in the situations he found himself in. Overall, it was a higly-pleasing, well-crafted story."
— Ryan (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“With echoes of Roald Dahl…the novel ends with an elegant punch line, and a touching endorsement of filial love.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Hilariously inventive. Frank Cottrell Boyce makes you laugh and think about parents and growing up, about the goodness of gravity and the infinite stars.”
— Washington Post -
“Cottrell Boyce has a gift for suspending disbelief, for laugh-out-loud comedy. ‘Cosmic’ is Liam’s favorite term of approval. It applies to this book.”
— Times (London) -
“His third novel, and his best yet. Hugely funny and utterly gripping.”
— Guardian (London) -
“This superb humorous and inventive ‘cosmic’ adventure celebrates space travel, friendships, and dads.”
— VOYA (starred review) -
“A hilarious and heartfelt examination of ‘dadliness’ in all its forms…A can’t-miss offering from an author whose latest novel may be his best yet.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“In his latest extravagantly imaginative and marvelously good-natured novel, [Frank Cottrell Boyce has] written one that is bound to win readers’ hearts...This is not only a story about big lads, but also about dads and dadliness!”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Readers will appreciate the sharp, realistic, and very funny dialogue.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)
Awards
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A 2010 Booklist Top 10 in Science Fiction/Fantasy Novels for Youth
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A 2010 Publishers Weekly Best Book in Children's Fiction
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A 2010 School Library Journal Best Book for Children
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Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize
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Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Literature
Cosmic Listener Reviews
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" A wonderful joy ride. Too tall middle schooler Liam grows up a bit on an unexpected trip to the moon with four other kids. "
— Barbara, 2/9/2014 -
" One of the best books that I've read this year. I really can't say enough about it. Funny, endearing, and a ridiculous story that's all about fathers. "
— Chelle, 1/25/2014 -
" Brilliant! And funny. I cannot wait to read all of this author's other books! "
— Rita, 1/25/2014 -
" Lots and lots of fun. I love how Boyce puts kids in totally unbelievable situations and makes you believe them! He's a genius that way. "
— Joelle, 1/18/2014 -
" Absolute craziness- I loved it. "
— Sara, 1/17/2014 -
" For me it was the quirky details and the funny digressions that made this book so good. And the brilliant plot, of course. When I read the blurb I thought I was really going to have to suspend disbelief. I was wrong - it is so well constructed that it's easy to believe that Liam could get lost in space. This book is a real treat for children and grown-ups! "
— Elen, 1/8/2014 -
" It was cheeky, but couldn't hold my attention enough to finish. Did love the quirky kid, though. "
— Briana, 12/29/2013 -
" Well written, creative and interesting. Similarities in plot to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Some incredibly clever moments with plot and language will make this a satisfying read for all ages. "
— Amanda, 12/14/2013 -
" I totally shipped Liam/Florida, no regrets. "
— Raabe, 12/7/2013 -
" I read the first chapter to some fifth graders and they liked the idea of a kid being in a spaceship. "
— Cheryl, 12/1/2013 -
" 4.5 stars. A fun story. Just because you look older doesn't mean you should be treated that way. "
— Miranda, 11/21/2013 -
" What a funny and delightful book for tweens. We laughed at many parts and liked the characters. A fun read. "
— Suzy, 11/9/2013 -
" Quirky and horrible. I heard a lot about this book, but I hated it. "
— Caren, 8/6/2013 -
" Cute upper elementary or lower middle school book, primarily of interest to guys, I'd think. Unique concept "
— Ms., 7/30/2013 -
" I got to page 84 and decided to let it go. I am just not enjoying this book at all, for some reason. Maybe I'll pick it up later? I don't know. I'm employing "The Rule of 50" for this. "
— Moni, 5/25/2013 -
" Pretty good kid's book. The author cleverly tied in space facts throughout the book. "
— Maura, 5/3/2013 -
" Absolutely loved this book. Funny, endearing, quirky, did I mention funny?! Will be adding to my top ten and recommending to boys and girls (as well as adults) grades 5 and up. Nothing of concern for fourth grade and under, I'm just not sure they will get it. "
— Kim, 12/4/2012 -
" Cosmic book! I loved it! Liam is a wonderful character, witty, poignant, and above all "dadly" ay 12. He even takes "Talk to Your Teen" on his voyage to the moon. "
— P.M., 5/29/2012 -
" A funny and fun adventure through space-- and childhood! "
— InYourFaceNewYorker, 3/2/2012 -
" Loved the idea of this book - a child posing as an adult and then traveling into space - and it was very well-executed! There was lots of humor that I'm sure kids (and adults, too) will enjoy when reading this book. The book includes very poignant moments about father-child relationships. "
— Sarah, 1/1/2012 -
" Cottrell's style of writing just got me so engaged in the book, I was finished it in no time due to my love of the stoyline, characters and setting! "
— Aaron, 12/21/2011 -
" Liam Digby is an ordinary, teenage boy but very tall, so tall that he is often mistaken for an adult. At times laugh out loud funny but it can also be touching as it explores relationships between parents and children. I would give it 3 1/2 stars "
— Ann, 8/30/2011 -
" Beautiful. Touching. Honest. Just a lovely, lovely, entertaining little book. "
— Kat, 8/8/2011 -
" Pretty good kid's book. The author cleverly tied in space facts throughout the book. "
— Maura, 5/20/2011 -
" Fun story. A bit unbelievable, but if you can accept the premise, it is very well written, with some profound insights into fathers and sons. I loved the humor as well, funny enough that I laughed outloud more than once. "
— Pamela, 5/11/2011 -
" Great story about a boy trying to fit in, Very funny with lots of adventure. "
— Debbie, 5/11/2011 -
" Awesome, clever, witty kids' book with a wonderful ending!! I loved it! "
— Elisabeth, 5/5/2011 -
" sort of a strange, modern willy wonka...a little tedious in the middle, but picks up for the ending. liked it. "
— Kelly, 4/19/2011 -
" Cute funny book... good for kids into humor and science. A fun easy read- "
— Delia, 4/13/2011 -
" This is going on my list of great boy books for my three sons when they get older. I read this during a road trip and tried reading parts out loud to my husband while he drove and couldn't even get words out I was laughing so hard. "
— Emily, 4/11/2011 -
" Like Millions, this is a quirky, funny British story . Liam is a 12 year old who is mistaken for an adult. He works this to his advantage and ends up in space on a wild adventure. I enjoyed this fun story. "
— Marcia, 4/10/2011 -
" Such a cute story! I laughed a lot. I think any young boy would LOVE this! "
— Misty, 4/5/2011 -
" So much fun! This a fantastic book. "
— Laurie, 3/31/2011
About Frank Cottrell Boyce
Frank Cottrell Boyce is the author of Framed, Cosmic, the new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang novels, and Millions, which was made into a movie by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle. He is also a successful writer of film scripts and, along with Danny Boyle, devised the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics.
About Kirby Heyborne
Kirby Heyborne is a musician, actor, and professional narrator. Noted for his work in teen and juvenile audio, he has garnered over twenty Earphones Awards. His audiobook credits include Jesse Kellerman’s The Genius, Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother, and George R. R. Martin’s Selections from Dreamsongs.