Alex Petroski, age 11, begins a series of audio recordings intended for intelligent extraterrestrial creatures. Alex introduces himself, his dog Carl Sagan (named for Alex’s favorite scientist), and his idea to send the iPod into which he is recording his thoughts to space. His hero, scientist Carl Sagan, inspired this idea: “Dr. Sagan helped send Voyagers 1 and 2 into deep space and put a Golden Record on them with all kinds of sounds from our planet, like whales singing and people saying hello in fifty-five languages […]” (4). Alex intends to capture similar sounds along with his recordings and send his “Golden iPod” on a rocket launch at a space festival called SHARF.

Alex mentions his home in Rockview, Colorado and his mother and brother. He lives with his mother; she tends to lie on the couch, watch TV, and have “quiet days.” She was unconcerned when he brought home the stray puppy Carl Sagan. Ronnie, Alex’s brother, lives in Los Angeles and works as an agent for professional athletes. The reader learns that Alex has not seen Ronnie in almost a year.