The Science Of Breakable Things

Juvenile fiction 

"Mr. Neely just wrote our first lab book assignment on the board in his scrunched up, scratchy handwriting, and he's getting all excited about this scientific process stuff."

     Mr. Neely wants his class to understand (and fall in love with) the scientific method.  Each student is to investigate a question that fires up their curiosity.  Natalie, protagonist of Tae Keller's The Science Of Breakable Things, keeps stalling, unable to come up with one.

     Natalie does have a question of burning interest, but not one she can entrust to a lab notebook.  Her botanist mom has been acting very strangely.  She rarely ever comes out of her room, even for meals.  Her dad keeps telling her that her mom needs her space.  But Natalie just wants to help her to become the happy, sparkly person she was before.

     An egg drop contest with a cash prize brings Natalie hope.  The prize money could enable her to take her mom on a trip to rekindle her passions by visiting a very special place.  

     If her team wins.  Big if.

     Although the book was written for middle grade readers, it has an important message for parents.  The cover blurb says, "When parents are breakable, it's up to kids to save them, right?"  That's how many kids think unless adults treat issues such as depression with candor and transparency.

On a purrrsonal note, spring fever is in full force on the UMaine campus.  People are tired of snow and more snow and even more snow.  We're also excitedly counting down to spring break.  Two days after today!  (Jules)

Me too.  Much more snuggle and play time! It will be amazing.  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to the groups on campus, like my friends in Student Wellness, who are reminding their peers to have fun without forgetting the need for safety and self care.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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