The Science of Breakable Things

By: Tae Keller

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Paperback | 21 May 2019

At a Glance

Paperback
320 Pages

Age
8 - 12

Grade
3 - 7

Dimensions(cm)
19 x 13 x 2.5

Paperback

RRP $16.99

$16.95

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Natalie's uplifting story of using the scientific process to "save" her mother from depression is what Booklist calls "a winning story full of heart and action."

Natalie's uplifting story of using the scientific process to "save" her mother from depression is what Booklist calls "a winning story full of heart and action."

Eggs are breakable. Hope is not.

When Natalie's science teacher suggests that she enter an egg drop competition, Natalie thinks that this might be the perfect solution to all of her problems. There's prize money, and if she and her friends wins, then she can fly her botanist mother to see the miraculous Cobalt Blue Orchids--flowers that survive against impossible odds. Natalie's mother has been suffering from depression, and Natalie is sure that the flowers' magic will inspire her mom to love life again. Which means it's time for Natalie's friends to step up and show her that talking about a problem is like taking a plant out of a dark cupboard and giving it light. With their help, Natalie begins an uplifting journey to discover the science of hope, love, and miracles.

A vibrant, loving debut about the coming-of-age moment when kids realize that parents are people, too. Think THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH meets THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR * KIRKUS REVIEWS * THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY *

"Natalie's Korean heritage is sensitively explored, as is the central issue of depression."
--Publishers Weekly

"A compassionate glimpse of mental illness accessible to a broad audience."
--Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"Holy moly!!! This book made me feel."
--Colby Sharp, editor of The Creativity Project, teacher, and cofounder of Nerdy Book Club

Industry Reviews

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
An NPR Great Read of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2018
A Booklist Reader Best Book of the Month
A Brightly Best Children's and YA Books of March 2018

"Natalie is an engaging narrator whose struggles at home and with her peers ring true."
--Deborah Hopkinson, award-winning author

"Inspiring, emotional, and heartwarming."
--Melissa Savage, author of Lemons

"A compassionate glimpse of mental illness accessible to a broad audience."
--Kirkus Reviews, starred

"Aside from the obvious connection to STEM, Keller's layered, accessible story has offers beautifully crafted metaphors, a theme of mending old friendships and creating new ones, and an empowering teacher to a variety of readers. . . . A winning story full of heart and action."
--Booklist, starred

"Natalie's Korean heritage is sensitively explored, as is the central issue of depression."
--Publishers Weekly

"Natalie learns that, as with the egg, people, too, are fragile and need support and padding to break their falls. An emotional story that explores parental depression with realism and empathy."
--School Library Journal

"A sweet and hope-filled story."
--Brightly

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