The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller

Tension peaks at the egg-drop contest, as the three friends plan to use the prize winnings to bring Natalies mother back to life with a gift of a rare cobalt blue orchid.

The diversity of the characters provides identity and interest, not issue or plotline. Providing support and some comic relief are her two sidekicks, Dari and Twig. Momentum builds over nine months as Natalie observes, questions, researches, experiments, and analyzes clues to her mothers state of mind.

With a STEM-inspired chapter framework and illustrated with Neonakis scientific drawings, Kellers debut novel uses the scientific method to unpack the complex emotions depression can cause. It reminds her of when her mother was excited by science and questions and life. Narrating in first-person, the mixed-race seventh-grader is drawn to her mothers book, titled How to Grow A Miracle. With the help of an egg-drop contest and a scientific-method project, Natalie explores breakable things and the nurturing of hope. Natalies vivacious botanist mother has retreated from life, leaving her therapist husband and daughter to fill the gaping hole she has left.

'Holy moly!!! This book made me feel.By Tae Keller illustrated by Alexandria NeonakisRELEASE DATE: March 6, 2018Ī middle school story in which parental depression manifests itself in absence. 'A compassionate glimpse of mental illness accessible to a broad audience.' ( Kirkus Reviews, starred review) 'Natalie's Korean heritage is sensitively explored, as is the central issue of depression.' ( Publishers Weekly) Named one of the best books of the year by: Think The Fourteenth Goldfish meets The Thing About Jellyfish. With their help, Natalie begins an uplifting journey to discover the science of hope, love, and miracles.Ī vibrant, loving debut about the coming-of-age moment when kids realize that parents are people, too. 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. Natalie's mother has been suffering from depression, and Natalie is sure that the flowers' magic will inspire her mom to love life again.

There's prize money, and if she and her friends win, then she can fly her botanist mother to see the miraculous Cobalt Blue Orchids - flowers that survive against impossible odds. 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. 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'.

The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller