Jack Cheng

Jack Cheng is an American author best known for his middle-grade novel "See You in the Cosmos," published in 2017. The book received multiple accolades including being named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, NPR, and the Guardian. Prior to his career as an author, Cheng worked in advertising and technology in New York City. He left the advertising industry to focus on writing, funding his first novel "These Days" through Kickstarter in 2013. Born to Chinese parents who immigrated to Michigan, Cheng draws from his experiences growing up in the American Midwest. His work often explores themes of family, identity, and scientific discovery through the lens of young protagonists. Cheng's writing has appeared in various publications including The New York Times and Quartz. He splits his time between Brooklyn and Detroit, continuing to write both fiction and essays about technology, creativity, and contemporary culture.

Readers connect strongly with Cheng's authentic portrayal of young characters and their relationships. Across platforms, "See You in the Cosmos" receives particular attention for its unique narrative voice. What readers liked: - Natural, convincing child protagonist voice - Balance of humor and emotional depth - Fresh take on road trip and coming-of-age stories - Science themes that engage young readers - Cross-generational appeal One parent reviewer noted: "My 11-year-old devoured it, then I read it and cried." What readers disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in middle sections - A few readers wanted more resolution with secondary characters - Format (audio recordings) took adjustment for some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (300+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 (parent reviews) Top feedback themes across platforms emphasize the book's ability to handle complex topics through an optimistic lens. Teachers frequently mention using it for class discussions about family dynamics and scientific curiosity.

See You in the Cosmos 11-year-old Alex Petroski, armed with a golden iPod and inspired by his hero Carl Sagan, embarks on a road trip across Colorado to launch his recordings into space while uncovering family secrets along the way.

These Days A character-driven novel following Connor Lin, a young designer in New York City, as he navigates relationships and identity in an increasingly digital world.

Rebecca Stead writes middle-grade novels featuring young protagonists navigating personal discovery and family dynamics. Her books like "When You Reach Me" combine elements of science and everyday life in ways that mirror Cheng's approach.

Kelly Yang draws from her Chinese-American background to create stories about immigrant experiences and finding one's place. Her work shares Cheng's ability to balance cultural identity themes with universal coming-of-age narratives.

Erin Entrada Kelly crafts stories about outsider characters finding their way through personal challenges and family relationships. Her characters' journeys of self-discovery echo the emotional depth found in Cheng's work.

Ali Benjamin explores scientific themes and emotional growth through the perspective of young characters. Her work combines factual elements with personal narratives in a style similar to Cheng's "See You in the Cosmos."

Jason Reynolds writes about contemporary young people dealing with real-world situations and personal growth. His direct, honest narrative voice and focus on authentic character development align with Cheng's storytelling approach.