The Science of Breakable Things

Natalie Napoli is a seventh grader who must complete a science project for her teacher, Mr. Neely. When he suggests studying an egg's ability to stay intact despite external forces, Natalie connects this concept to her mother - a botanist struggling with depression who rarely leaves her room. Through the lens of scientific observation, Natalie works to understand her mother's condition and searches for ways to help her recover. She undertakes her project with assistance from her best friend Twig and new classmate Dari, while her father tries to maintain stability at home. The story follows Natalie as she enters a science competition with her friends, hoping the prize money could fund a trip to see the rare Cobalt Blue Orchids - plants her mother once studied with passion. Her mission becomes more than just a school assignment as she documents her observations and hypotheses about both science and family. This middle-grade novel explores mental illness and family dynamics through the empirical perspective of a young scientist, showing how children process and adapt to changes in their home life. The parallel between scientific resilience and human resilience runs throughout the narrative.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of a child dealing with a parent's depression. Many note the book helps open conversations about mental health with middle-grade students. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of scientific concepts woven into the story - Realistic depiction of friendship dynamics - The Korean-American representation - How the protagonist processes difficult emotions Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few felt the ending wrapped up too neatly - Young readers sometimes struggled with the heavier themes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (280+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One teacher reviewer noted: "This book gave my students language to discuss mental health in ways they hadn't before." Multiple parents mentioned the book prompted meaningful discussions with their children about depression and family dynamics.

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🌸 Author Tae Keller was inspired to write this book after learning about the Cobalt Blue orchid, which can survive extreme temperatures and drought conditions, symbolizing resilience and hope 🔬 The book weaves real scientific concepts throughout the story, including detailed information about plant biology and the scientific method 🏆 Tae Keller went on to win the 2021 Newbery Medal for her second novel, "When You Trap a Tiger," making her one of the youngest recipients of this prestigious award 💫 The protagonist's science project about the Cobalt Blue orchid parallels her journey to understand her mother's depression, making complex emotional themes accessible to young readers 🌿 Like the rare orchids featured in the book, the Cobalt Blue orchid (Trichoglottis philippinensis var. brachiata) is a real species that demonstrates remarkable adaptability in harsh conditions