BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations
Book Title: I, Cosmo (available here)
Author: Carlie Sorosiak
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Publication Date: August 2019
Reviewed by: Jane Evans, Year 4 Teacher
Cosmo’s best friend is Max and they are inseparable. When Max feels something, Cosmo feels it too. Max sees his family falling apart and fears they may get separated as a result, so together Max and Cosmo hatch a plan to show everyone they need to be together. The only problem is the plan involves them winning a dance competition and Cosmo has never danced. Oh, and also that Cosmo is a dog.
Sensitively written from the unusual perspective of a dog, Sorosiak charts the journey one family takes as their once unified family falls apart, but shows that even when love changes it can still endure.
Perfect for dog lovers, this appealing story is full of heart. Interspersed with flashbacks and observations, Sorosiak paints a picture of Cosmo’s story – how he came to be with the family, his weaknesses and strengths but above all his unquestionable love and devotion to one little boy. The story may help those whose own families are going through a break up or just provide an interesting perspective to start discussions on how other characters in the book may be feeling at different points in the story.
Perhaps most suited to KS3, this book will also appeal to readers in Upper KS2, with great scope for discussions on inference, perspective and prediction. All that said, this book will win your heart and have you up reading past your bedtime as you fall in love with Cosmo and root for him to succeed. If you want to convince someone to get a dog, this might just be the book to do it.
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You can order I, Cosmo online or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Review Panel member Jane for reviewing it.
