“Most people give up on what they want. They’ll come across the first little obstacle and they’ll give up, and then they’ll try to tear down the people they see doing what they felt like they couldn’t.”

“Knowledge is better than ignorance, and it’s better to find out and embrace the truth even if that truth might not feel good.”

This book was intensely amazing, and I totally would give it 5 stars.

Alex Petroski is only 11 years old, but he has taken many responsibility matters into his own hands, like cooking for him and his mother, finding himself a job, and traveling to New Mexico on his own. But behind this curtain of "calm," his mother does have problems that no one really understands. After traveling to New Mexico, it seems that the trip may have unveiled so many answers. Answers of the past, his father, love, his mother, siblings, faith, and hope. Just one crazy journey recorded on the Golden iPod he hopes to launch into space.

It carried such a powerful message! Alex is super smart in a way, but also witty and unknowing to a lot of things. This book was a perfect balance for the middle-grade reader, and it was easy to understand and laugh along.

I thought it was really unique that the author made this into a book that could have been something real. Someone who had very large hopes and dreams never giving up, oblivious to a lot of things that could make them down. And maybe Alex sees this, but he keeps going.

Alex has such a big heart, and he shares a lot of his thoughts and memories in such a unique way that I really loved. The way that he reacted to situations showed how mature he could be, but also show that he was still a young boy.

The older people in this book I also loved, because of how much compassion and kindness they showed Alex. Ronnie, his brother, was someone that I didn't quite understand at first. I could see why he was that way, but I think that Alex changed him for the better. In the beginning, an older kid who helped him go to SHARF in New Mexico helped Alex reach his first attempt at achieving his dream. Just the way that every older person in his life held some sort of important position in boosting Alex struck me in a positive way.

Everyone should read this book. If you loved [b:Wonder|11387515|Wonder (Wonder, #1)|R.J. Palacio|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1522713326s/11387515.jpg|16319487] I think that this will be the perfect book for you. Both carry a positive message about kids who just want people to see the world in a positive and powerful way.

Big, fat five stars, two million thumbs up, and a total recommendation! Will be a new favorite of mine.