Sam is in remission from cancer and just lost his best friend from cancer. He returns to school for the first time in 8 months and is worried about the transition. His only friend, who stopped being friends with him after Sam's cancer diagnosis, starts a rumor that Sam was faking having cancer. On top of that, Sam gets paired with a girl, Cat, for a major history project. Sam and Cat end up having a lot in common and become friends along the way.

This book was so fun despite the cancer topic. It deals with the heaviness of cancer and losing a friend to cancer so masterfully. Bury also perfectly encapsulates all those middle school feelings of figuring out who your friends are and the sense of belonging when you find someone who gets you so well. A great book that I can't wait to add to my library collection!

Sam is returning to school after his cancer goes into remission and his best friend, Oscar, dies from brain cancer. He wants things to go back to normal, but his old friend, Kevein, is spreading rumors that Sam lied about having cancer so other kids at the school shun him. He gets partnered with Cat, one of the popular girls, for their California History Project, and things look grim in the beginning. He imagines Oscar talking to him, about Cat, about school, and about their UFO research they were doing before Oscar died. And, though he didn't lie about having cancer, Sam lies about other things and can't seem to stop. When he discovers Cat is a UFO enthusiast, too. With a clue left by Oscar in their notebook and Cat diving into research, they think they might have found someone that has proof about UFO's. The book follows Sam and Cat's journey with their project, UFOs, and their friendship which turns into a crush along the way. The fears of the cancer returning that Sam suffers with this moms are poignant and feel very real and understandable. An interesting book that doesn't delve into the science fiction and aliens that could appear, but focuses on the family and friendships Sam needs to help deal with being a survivor.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC. I usually don’t pick up UFO-related titles but this was a pretty good read. The high point of the story was the friendship between Sam and Cat. I kind of wish one of the characters was named differently because I couldn’t stop thinking of the Nickelodeon show.

Sam is a recent cancer survivor and dealing with the loss of his best friend Oscar to the disease. When Sam has trouble returning to school and having to pretend everything is "normal," he prefers to escape into his favorite sci-fi TV show rather than deal with doctor visits or his parents' questions. Along the way, he meets Cat, who shares his interest in science fiction and paranormal activity. She might even be able to help Sam solve some clues about UFOs that Oscar left behind in his notebooks. However, Sam has trouble telling her the truth about his condition, since his friendship with Cat offers the only avenue where he feels like he can be himself outside of his diagnosis. Since the author is a cancer survivor herself, this book provides a helpful lens into what it's like to not only have cancer, but deal with its aftermath, especially regarding how to heal both mentally and physically. Despite the heavy topics it covers, this book is a light-hearted and digestible read for younger readers.

I loved this book! It was beautiful and insightful, and it tackled tough topics in a smart and sensitive way. At the same time, though, it was also really fun! The middle-grade voice was spot-on, and the characters were so lovable and real.

It follows Sam, a recent cancer survivor and UFO enthusiast, as he returns to school. The transition is especially tough as he is also dealing with the loss of his best friend, Oscar, to brain cancer. Things look up when he's paired with popular girl Cat, a secret mega-nerd, to work on a school project. This leads to an even more exciting personal project, as they investigate a UFO mystery left behind by Oscar.

My heart went out to Sam as he struggled to downplay his fears and anxieties, in an effort to appear "normal" and prevent the people around him from worrying. He had such a loving heart and genuine affection for his moms and friends. And while they were supportive and kind, Sam would still do anything to keep them from being unhappy-even lie. I appreciated his journey as he learned to let people in and tell the truth, even when it's hard.

I adored Cat and enjoyed her journey, as well. The banter between her and Sam was hilarious, and I loved everything about their growing friendship: the code-cracking, the mystery solving, the nerding out over shared interests, and the mutual support.

Also, I just have to say, I would LOVE to be friends with Sam's moms.

Definitely recommend!!!

Sam has just returned to school after fighting cancer. Unfortunately, a friend he met in treatment, Oscar, recently lost his battle. Sam has a difficult time assimilating back into his school. A girl in his class befriends him and they work together to work on something Oscar had started. Students who enjoy reading stories centering on friendship themes will love this book,

We Are Not Alone written by Katryn Bury (published by Harper Collins) is a middle-grade novel that highlights the beginnings of an unlikely friendship between two middle school students, Sam- a cancer survivor, and Cat, a popular girl at school. They are assigned to work together on a school project and their belief in alien existence brings them together. Adding an alien layer to the storyline helps offset the heavy topic of cancer and grief. One snag I had with the story is all the lying Sam does which doesn't make sense in light of the support, love, and understanding of his Moms. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced reader's copy. My opinions are my own.

As this is an issue book, teen cancer, it is always a challenge t.o know what will appeal to readers. This was a muddled read. Sam is in remission but the fear of cancer is a constant worry for him. And he has not dealt with the death of a fellow cancer patient he became friends with through a teen support group. Enter a crush, Cat, that he randomly gets assigned a class project to complete. And the introduction of so much paranormal stuff and an X-files tv show obsession, didn't interest me at all. The author is a cancer survivor so this story has insights to living with cancer that are an important perspective. But that isn't enough for this reader.

I absolutely adored this book. It dealt with some heavy topics (cancer, grief, loss of a loved one), but in a way that was approachable for middle grade readers. With the research on aliens intertwined, it never felt "too" heavy or too much for younger readers. I enjoyed that Sam and Cat's relationship was more of a friendship throughout rather than focused on the romance aspect and loved that it had the message of embracing yourself and all that you are. I can't wait until this is professionally reviewed so I can nominate it for the Lone Star list for 2025!

This middle grade novel provides readers much to think about. Cancer in teens. Loss. Friendship. Popularity. Geekhood.

Positives
Lesbian moms
Geeking out over UFOs (the author makes it cool!)
Accessible themes to middle grade readers

The voice of Oscar worked really, really well, and it was funny which was a nice addition in a book with heavy themes.

Negatives
Too much online interaction and decisions to meet strangers (stranger danger)
Sam's constant lying to everyone

I would definitely recommend this book to middle grade and YA readers, and I would add it to a classroom library.