Review & Contest: Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Cosmic, the new book from Carnegie Medal-winner Frank Cottrell Boyce is easily one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Ever. Though intended for a slightly younger audience than we normally mention here at Novel Novice (ages 8-12/grades 3-7), this book is highly enjoyable and should be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Here’s a bit of what I had to say in my review at Portland Books Examiner:

It’s the sign of truly successful children’s book when it can entertain parents just as much as their kids. That’s exactly what Frank Cottrell Boyce has done with his latest novel, Cosmic.

The book follows 12-year-old Liam — who despite his age, actually appears to be about 30 (due to an early growth spurt and premature facial hair) — as he cons his way onto a secret mission to space meant for a group of kids and one adult chaperone. Liam goes as the adult chaperone. Of course, secret missions to space manned only by a group of kids are likely to go wrong — and that’s exactly what happens.

Liam’s journey is laugh-out-loud hilarious. Kids will delight in the whimsy of the story itself, while adults will roar over the antics and scenarios Liam finds himself in (and the excuses he gives to his parents).