The Science of Breakable Things

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 24, 2018

Review

Recommend for Cream Consideration. How far must one go to help find the cure for someone you love is depressed? That is the life questions that are challenging Natalie as she begins seventh grade. Take science class for instance. Mr. Neely has given her class a year-long science assignment of the scientific process. Natalie struggles to find the right question to pursue for her class project while at home all the unanswered questions swirl around her since her botanist mom has stop going to work, talking with Natalie and coming out of the bedroom. Natalie's first person voice provides the confusion and misunderstanding that family members experience when someone they love seems out of reach. She experiences the abrupt change in her daily routine and endures new moments of dreaded silence with her therapist dad who is trying to be both parents to her. With help from her two friends, who provided comic relief and clarity, and with a direct suggestion from Mr. Neely to try the Egg Drop Competition, Natalie navigates with mixed success the new emotional terrain that depression has created at home. Keller uses the different steps of the scientific process as the chapter headings, with various lists, footnotes and "cool" scientific illustrations by Neonakis that complements and parallels Natalie's new home life. Just like eggs, many things break in Natalie's world, but her friends and the love of her family help cradle the positive, just like in the egg drop competition. Keller has provided a diverse set of characters in a realistic and heart-felt story of hope in mental illness.

Overall Book Score: excellent