We Are Not Alone: A Powerful Middle Grade Novel About Friendship, Grief, and UFOs for Kids

by Katryn Bury

"Katryn Bury is a master of middle grade voice. We Are Not Alone is a powerful, heartfelt exploration of loss, grief, and friendship. I absolutely loved it." —Michael Leali, award-winning author of The Civil War of Amos Abernathy and Matteo

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 what if his cancer comes back?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Audiobook, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2024

About the author

Katryn Bury works with middle grade readers as a youth library technician. A lifelong true crime nerd, she has a bachelor's degree in sociology and criminology. Her short and serialized fiction can be found in Suspense Magazine and The Sleuth. She lives in Oakland, California with her family and a vast collection of Nancy Drew mysteries.

Website: katrynbury.com Instagram/Twitter: @katrynwrites

Reviews

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“Sometimes it feels like “I’m fine” is more than a lie. It’s actually a giant force field, keeping out everything that comes after you admit that you’re not fine.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ There were certainly parts that touched the heart. I do love the double entendre to the title. For thirteen-year-old Sam Kepler Grayson, a cancer survivor in remission, it may feel that the worst is over, but the worries & the inner fear that it can come back is a strong prevalent force that tackles his nerves.​ 😥​ There is the palpable grief that lingers over the recent loss of his best friend and fellow UFO enthusiast, Oscar to brain cancer. There is the imminent search of hoping there is someone out there who can prove to him the existence of UFOs that can somehow assuage his own tangible search of filling the gap that has been left in his heart.​ 😞

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It is a lot to process and a lot to unfold. And at times the line does get a bit murky, especially when he befriends Cat, a classmate who shares his obsession with UFO and teams up with him in their hunt of tracking down clues to one who might have the answers to the unknown. But, the ​double entendre​ to the title speaks greater than simply finding out if We Are Not Alone in the universe with the proof of aliens or what lies beyond. 😟​ For me, it was about Sam realizing that he was not alone - even when he was hurting himself to stay silent about his painful fears or his heartache or his sadness - to not burden his loved ones with the guilt of his own trauma.​ 🫂

“People call you a survivor... Something that’s over. But it’s not the same. After isn’t after. It’s a devil at the crossroads hunting you down.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ And as a cancer survivor, the author viscerally captured his emotions. Sam does make questionable choices and ill-advised decisions. But the need to protect himself from further shame or accusation - the very notion that one could treat cancer as a joke - is a preposterous idea. It saddens me to think that such bullies can exist even at a young age, and for Sam to feel that shock is unfortunate - the worst form of bullying that shows the cold & uncaring side of humanity. 😒​ But, the strength of those around him - the bond of friendship he steadily builds with Cat, despite the hesitation of revealing too much, because he doesn't want to lose her - was believable. Hoping just to be normal for a while, focusing all his energy in solving the mysteries that can help him bring a little closer, if not closure to losing Oscar resonated with me.​ 😢

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His moms and Cat really do show him the good side of not being alone; how even as he swallows his doubts and troubles, he has a kind and caring heart who does not want to bring back the sadness and fear that came with his sickness - Mr.WrongBrain that threatened him with unsettling thoughts. 'If I say I’m fine . . . maybe I think I will be.'​ 🥺 Sam's relationship with Oscar was a beautiful one - very heartwarming, very sincere. I really felt for Sam in those moments of remembering and crying for his friend. That ache is a quiet one - one that you don't see, but you can sense it - always. And that loneliness of being unable to say goodbye was captured in a tender and beautiful light that touched me deeply.​ ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

“It’s about helping people to move on from a trauma they should have never had to endure.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ While I do applaud the efforts it takes to address a heavy topic with heart and character - I could not quite connect to it. As in, despite how I appreciate the attempt to cover such a wide range of themes, it did not quite mesh together that made me enjoy it. 😕​ Sam's anxiety was convincingly captured; I did not quite vibe with Cat. I do get how she was there to show him the positive sides of friendship; that he would not have to feel alone anymore after Oscar's death, and that he did not have to fear that being a cancer survivor or not normal in other's eyes - to be always seen with pity or remorse - would ever keep him from finding someone special. I get that.​ 😔

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I also was not quite interested in the UFO aspect and the search for the unexplained. It is something they bonded over, but it was not hitting me as hard. I also struggled with a bit of the writing style and tone; it felt uneven at times, especially when it used words that I really wish authors would avoid. These nitpicks aside, Sam realized the importance of being himself. ​​🫶🏻🫶🏻​ There are those who still love and care for him - just as he is. The feeling of acceptance and belonging is the truest sense of self one who has felt alone for so long needs to have and for Sam to find it - even by looking at the stars - was a worthwhile conclusion. So, I really don't think it was that bad, since it did stir up a few feelings at times in my heart. But, I would probably pick and choose scenes to read rather than the whole, which then certainly defeats the purpose of it being a worthwhile read.​ 🙏🏻

[Maren Alessandri Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. All I can really say is wow. I don't know how Katryn Bury managed to take such a heavy topic, childhood cancer, and make it feel lighter. Sam is such a real character. He's quirky, and sweet (and his moms are the literal best characters ever). Given the heavy subject matter, the addition of an X-Files like show as an obsession was a welcome breather. Similar to Katryn's other books, the banter is her strong suit in writing. The back and forth between Sam and Cat is so quick and real that you feel like you are there with them.

Don't let the backdrop of Sam being a cancer survivor sway you away thinking this book is going to be sad and overly heavy. This book is as uplifting as they come and a great way to introduce middle grade readers to the reality of cancer and not fitting in.

I would give this book 10 stars if I could, and look forward to sharing it with my nieces and nephews.

And I know I said it before, but Sam's moms are the literal best and I want a book of their love story.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say Sam's had a rough year is putting it mildly. Cancer will do that to you. Add to that losing his best friend to cancer, and that makes it even worse. Does going back to school bring more normality to his life? Sadly, no, because Kevin, who used to be Sam's friend, is spreading rumors that Sam lied about having cancer. Sam knows he should tell his moms, but they've been through so much already--he can't put them through anything more. When Sam gets assigned to work with popular girl Cat on a California earthquake project, he's dreading it--until he discovers that's she's secretly a major nerd, who loves the same SF show he and Oscar did. And she's also searching for the truth about aliens, just as Sam and Oscar were. When Sam and Cat discover some clues in Oscar's journal, it sets them on a path that could go to interesting places. What could get in their way? Sam never told Cat about his cancer--he knew that would change things. And Sam is also hiding--from everyone--that he's starting to feel bad again.

I liked this one a lot. It's different than the standard cancer narratives, as Sam points out. He didn't lose his hair, he went into remission, and instead it was his best friend who died. I thought the relationships were well done, and for once I didn't sigh with exasperation because the main character was making such obviously bad decisions. I understood why he was making them, and some of them, I don't think they were necessarily bad. Why did he need to tell Cat about his cancer? It's his health, his life, and his story. I didn't think he owed it to her. It wasn't a casual secret. I thought the alien angle was interesting, too, and of course I loved them nerding it out together--been there! (Still there, in many cases.) Overall, a good pick.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!!

[Jamie Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Kepler Grayson is a cancer survivor, but his best friend who also had cancer didn’t make it. Sam decides that he wants to continue UFO investigations without him. When Sam returns to school, there are whispers about whether he had cancer or is faking it. When a school project teams up Sam with Cat, a very popular girl, he thinks that this is going to go wrong. However, Cat is obsessed with UFOs just like Sam is. As they investigate clues related to their project & UFOs, a friendship develops between Sam & Cat; he must decide whether he will confess about his cancer diagnosis.

This book focuses not only on the conflicting emotions as a cancer survivor, but also the UFO storyline without telling the reader what to think.

This is highly recommended for grades 6 and up.

S.T.
School Librarian

[Varsha Chappidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good! I loved Sam and Cats friendship. In the beggining Sam was hesitant of Cat because she was popular and he thought she was empty hearted but shes a nice person in reality and their both dorks. I just don't like how the author placed some of things, for example, Big things I didn't really get the purpose of it or the trademarking, Leslie and Zooey if they both love Cat then Cat should have felt more open to them and Leslie and Zooey should'nt have treated Sam like that, and Kevin like don't even get me started on him, the author dumped this sensitive topic on him and tried to make him carry it out and lie to everyone that Sam doesn't have cancer just because he looks fine! Other than this it was a great book and I will try to read more from the author:)

[Binxie · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 like 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.

[Deena Lipomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam's best friend died from brain cancer a few months ago, and Sam is returning to school after his own battle with lymphoma, where he mourns his losses and makes a friend who may help fill the gaps in his life. Sam's story is heartbreaking bc the reader knows it is all plausible. "Beating" cancer doesn't mean the patient is free of fear, or that people don't treat them differently, and Bury expresses this very well. The UFO theme is an unexpected interest that turns into a cool connection between the characters and the theme of the unknown. A powerful, emotional read starring eighth graders.

[Melissa Dassori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true-to-life portrait of the lumpiness of life, to almost-quote Katryn's grandfather per her author's note, WE ARE NOT ALONE is a funny, fun, and sometimes-heartbreaking story about Sam and Cat's search for proof that we are not alone in the universe while realizing they're also in the company of true friends. Sam, who is in remission from lymphoma, has a wry sense of humor and endearing charm, and Cat struggles to be true to herself while supporting her new friend. Both characters are realistically drawn and relatable, and readers will root for their friendship and success. A wonderful read.

[Katie Moeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teacher, what I love most about this book is that I can offer it to students who are struggling with tough issues - like cancer. However, it's about more than the illness. It's about friendship, curiosity, and perseverance - all topics I try to cover during SEL lessons. And best of all - it's a page turner! So easy and enjoyable to read. I loved it, my students loved it, and even a few parents have picked up copies and loved it! Easy to read and easy to recommend!

[Jennifer Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book packs a lot into one story-being yourself, making friends, cancer, loss, and UFOs-but it does it very well. It is all well-integrated into the story, and nothing feels extraneous or like it was forced in after the fact. While it does deal with some heavy topics, it doesn't feel like a heavy read overall. Because of the varied themes, I think this book could appeal to a wide range of middle-grade readers who enjoy or are open to realistic fiction.

[Eva Des Lauriers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has so many hidden depths that both young and older readers will enjoy. A heartwarming story after loss wrapped in a fun and accessible mystery. Sam Kepler Grayson is such a special character and his insights about family, friendship, the paranormal, and himself are equal parts moving and hilarious. This is a book every kid should read and every school library should carry.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were elements of this book I really enjoyed, but I really hate plot lines based on fake shows. It just takes me right out of the story and feels very unnecessary. I also get that these are younger teenagers, but this group seemed especially naive. Also, they all talked like what an adult thinks teenagers sound like.
But the content about cancer and illness was spot on, and worth the read.

[LS Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't understand why Sam lied to Cat, but I was willing to set that aside because the rest of the story was very compelling. I like the relationship between Sam and Cat. The moms were developed enough to make them believeable and likeable, but they didn't take over the story.

[Ms. Nigeria Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This needs to be a movie. And/or a mandatory school read for 9th graders. It touches several points. This book is so relatable and it definitely sums up why I left my fiance'.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Paige Kavert · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet, heartfelt book. I was so impressed and Katryn Bury’s deft hand at balancing painful scenes with humor. I can’t wait to share with my kiddos and recommend to friends.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good fiction for kids. I read it after S. did.

[Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is on the Texas Lone Star List for 2026-2027. The
Storyline is good but slow. I wish there would have been less about the UFOs and more about Sam’s relationships.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus