The Science of Breakable Things
by Tae Keller
Realistic Fiction
* * * Stars (Pretty good)
Natalie is in 7th grade and she has a goofy science teacher who really wants his students to love science as much as he does. Natalie has a hard time taking him seriously, but she’s having trouble taking anything seriously right now, as her mother has fallen into a depression and won’t come out of her room. Natalie doesn’t want to talk about it, but she has a lot of feelings she’s repressing (anger, sadness). She also has some good friends who are willing to listen and help in any way they can once Natalie is ready to open up to them. Together, they enter an egg drop contest (for their science research project), hoping they’ll win the prize money which could give Natalie an opportunity to help her mother. Honest and heartfelt, this offers a realistic portrait of what depression can look like and how it can affect those it touches.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
