Sweet middle grade book.
A lot going on here: neglect/abuse, family, mental health... but a little over the top.
Not heavy though... very middle grade-y.... would make a good rec for a young strong reader who is beyond elementary fluff and ready for more but not super hard.
Voice (not narration) was a little too young for 11 year-old... but the blatant honesty was cool.
Narration was great! Would make a good "road trip" book with upper elementary/lower middle school kids - dramatization of story was engaging and captive audience for good covo.
Plot line was classic - easy to identify all aspects of classic story plot.
Could easily make into STEM book club (space, rockets, mapping out trip, dog digestion, recording/journaling/capturing significant info a lá Voyager's Golden Record, etc.)