(I've seen the movie Millions though and it was very good. I haven't ready any of Boyce's other books but now I will, and I can't wait. If you're not hooked after reading the sample then the book isn't for you. I think you'll see what I mean about the writing itself. I think that's the best way to judge whether you or your kids would like it. Take a look at the first couple of chapters in the 'Look Inside' feature here on Amazon (the first few chapters are very short). Younger than that and they might not be able to appreciate the themes (such as what it means to be a parent, both for the child and for the adult), and older than that and they're probably onto edgier, more (what they'd consider) grown-up stuff. The perfect age range would be ten to thirteen. Kids seven and up should like Cosmic a lot- probably boys more than girls though. It's narrated by a twelve year-old boy and the writing feels natural and 'right.'

I've read plenty of books where in reading it I can just feel the author saying 'Eh, did you catch that? Aren't I clever?' Cosmic was not like that at all. What I WILL say is that the writing itself is some of the best I've ever read it's clever, funny and engaging, all without feeling even slightly forced. Suffice to say that the plot was intriguing, fun, and had plenty of surprises. (I read 'grown-up' stuff as well as kids' stuff, because we have kids.) I won't bother with a plot summary here, because several other people already have, plus it's in the Product Description. I do a lot of reading and it's been a long time since I've enjoyed a book this much.

Cosmic frank boyce