Children's Books discussion

Please join the fiction club's reading of Cosmic by Frank Cattrell Boyce. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

I was able to get a library copy, so I will try this although the space setting is not really familiar territory.

I enjoy science fiction and some of my favorite books when I was a kid were in that genre. But this book didn't seem to have enough science fiction to claim that as a theme. It is mainly a book about pretending to be a grown up. And, after a while, that was a little trite to me. But my kid self (ages ago) would probably have liked it. After all, some of my favorite books back then were Matthew Looney and Zip-Zip and His Flying Saucer.

I did find a copy at my library, and I am looking forward to it because I think there should be more juvenile SF available. We'll see.

Almost done, but I won't say spoilers. I'll just say that if you liked the premise of the movie *Big* and the spirit of the premise of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you might like this. I'm enjoying it very much.

Cheryl wrote: "Almost done, but I won't say spoilers. I'll just say that if you liked the premise of the movie *Big* and the spirit of the premise of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you might lik..."

That looks promising.

Finished right after posting; do recommend it. Anybody else going to read it before I forget it? ;)

I am going to read it this coming weekend. I read the first chapter and it sounds like fun.

I am in the middle right now, a fun read, but not really my type of novel.

Actually, I started the book this evening and will probably finish it by the weekend. I think it is funny so far. I have always enjoyed British style humour, and this book certainly has that. I taught boys that age for many years so I can relate to his obsession with computer games.

I've started it as well. I am enjoying it.

The back cover said the book was reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I can see some similarities- but Liam is not anything like Charlie.

I finished the book today and enjoyed it. Not only was it a fun read, it makes you think about fatherhood from an unusual perspective. Our hero, at age twelve, learned and showed what it takes to be a good father, and that he had a good one.

Rosemarie wrote: "I finished the book today and enjoyed it. Not only was it a fun read, it makes you think about fatherhood from an unusual perspective. Our hero, at age twelve, learned and showed what it takes to b..."

Indeed, the book gets bonus points for its depiction of what it means to be a good father; such characters aren't common in MG fiction.

Cheryl wrote: "Rosemarie wrote: "I finished the book today and enjoyed it. Not only was it a fun read, it makes you think about fatherhood from an unusual perspective. Our hero, at age twelve, learned and showed ..."

Yes, how true that is! Fatherhood (and definitely positive depictions of the same) are rather lacking in MG fiction. Ramona Quimby's father and Anastasia Krupnik's father are in many ways exceptions to the rule, as fathers do not all that often even appear and when they do, are often either negative or basic stock undeveloped or little developed as characters. And this (even in more recent MG and YA fiction) tends to support the rather unfortunate attitude that raising and dealing with children is still so-called women's work (I know that is a bit generalising, but I have noticed it).

I'm about half way through Cosmic, so far it has been a fun read.

I have finally finished Cosmic and overall I enjoyed the story. Liam was portrayed with just enough angst of wanting/not wanting to be a grownups to seem believable. Florida though, is the character I am still thinking about. The passage where she admits she does not really have a Dad, keeps playing in my mind. I also feel that as character she has the most growth through the story. Florida realizes that she can fit in with the "smart" kids and be taken seriously.

Florida was the most interesting character to me, too.

When I found out that Florida didn't have a dad living with them, I was surprised.
I love the ending, when three of them leave a message on the moon.
I thought the most annoying characters were the rich sponsor of the contest and her daughter. The message on the moon certainly put her in her place- the liar.

I enjoyed this very much. Striking similarities to Charlie/Chocolate Factory- from the selection of winners to go on the mission to the characterization of Liam as the "winning" contestant. Charlie won the factory, Liam won the experience of a lifetime that he knew he would always carry with him. Great endings to both books. I liked seeing Liam mature and grow through the experience. His priorities changed and he deepened his appreciation of his own father. Not my usual read. Found it a bit slow until they got to Infinity Park, but then the storyline intrigued me more. I will definitely check out Boyce's other books and another viewing of Charlie/Chocolate Factory is possible.

No, this time you must *read* the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! I'm sure none of the movies got it right! :)

Great idea! Thanks, Cheryl!