What is depression, and how can you explain to your child that her mother is suffering from an illness that even adults sometimes don’t understand?
Natalie is struggling to understand. What happened to her mother that triggered these dark days? Why doesn’t she try better for her, Natalie, to push the darkness away?
Tae Keller’s witty and emotional writing, mixed with a heavy subject, resulted in a perfect book for any ages.
How do you grow a miracle?
For the record, this is not the question Mr. Neely is looking for when he says everyone in class must answer an important question using the scientific method. But Natalie’s botanist mother is suffering from depression, so this is The Question that’s important to Natalie. When Mr. Neely suggests that she enter an egg drop competition, Natalie has hope.
Eggs are breakable. Hope is not.
Natalie has a secret plan for the prize money. She’s going to fly her mother to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids–flowers that survive against impossible odds. The magical flowers are sure to inspire her mother to love life again. Because when parents are breakable, it’s up to kids to save them, right?
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«This will be your Wonderings journal! You will record lab notes and assignments, and documents the greatest journey of all time – your scientific journey!»
Written in journal entries, «The Science of Breakable Things» provides a different perspective on a widely-spoken subject – depression and what does it mean to the people around.
Natalie is determined to save her mom and start working on the new assignment. However, the scientific question does not come easy, as all she wants to find out is how to make her mother enjoy life again.
«Without further ado, dearest lab notebook, I present Natalie Napoli’s Scientific Observations:
Mr. Neely waves his arms in big circles when he talks, which makes him look like an overeager hula dancer. His white button-down – bright against his dark brown skin – wrinkles as he moves.»
It was impossible to stay indifferent to Natalie’s struggles, her lively character, and humorous descriptions. If you are looking for a book that will make you smile and cry, sometimes even at the same time, this is the book for you!
It is an example of what middle grade should be – humor, adventure and difficult subjects presented in a simpler way, captivating and utterly emotional!
«As it turns out, you can’t always protect breakable things.»
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for a free ARC of this book. It was truly an emotional rollercoaster and heart-warming experience.
My rating:
★★★★★
What was the last book that made you cry? Let me know in the comments down below.
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