From award-winning author Katryn Bury of the Drew Leclair series, this hopeful coming-of-age middle grade novel follows the unlikely friendship between Sam, a recent cancer survivor, and a popular girl at school as they come together on a quest to uncover the truth about alien life in honor of Sam's best friend's final wishes. This powerful story of friendship and grief is a gentle reminder that we are never alone in the universe. Sam Kepler Greyson doesn't want to be the "cancer kid." After losing his best friend and fellow UFO enthusiast, Oscar, to brain cancer, Sam wants to focus on anything but his own cancer--maybe even a normal year of middle school. But whispers in the halls and lingering grief over Oscar make Sam's return much harder. To make matters worse, he is paired with popular girl Cat for a history project. Between Cat's icy attitude and troubling rumors that Sam lied about having cancer, nothing seems to be going well. Things start to look up when Cat and Sam unexpectedly bond over the UFO obsession he once shared with Oscar--but Sam isn't sure he's ready to open up to someone again. With the chance for a fresh start within reach, he worries that coming clean about his illness will only make Cat pity him. Hiding the truth also helps Sam avoid the biggest worry of all: What if his cancer comes back?
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