He discovers he has a white grandfather he never knew he had when he runs into him at a rock exhibit. Brendan is always writing questions in a notebook because he wants to become a scientist. This is a nice realistic fiction novel about a mixed race, extremely curious boy. This book would make a great read-aloud for the brave soul who doesn't mind a science experiment about the size of a 10-year-old boy's bladder (hold it forever and pee into a 2 liter bottle!) This would also be a compelling book for any child who isn't quite sure how he or she fits into categories defined by others. Most importantly, he discovers that there is a looming family secret around the question of an absent grandfather. Over the course of the book he has several encounters which bring the question of race into stark relief. Up to this point, his life has been fairly sheltered, and he hasn't had to consider how race shapes who he is. He's also involved with Tae Kwon Do and constantly seeks to apply the precepts of that discipline to his daily life. Brendan is a self-described scientist - asking questions, looking for answers, and struggling to against the information constraints imposed by his parents. His internal dialogue during his quest to understand the world around him keeps the book lighthearted, while also sometimes poignant.
I thoroughly enjoyed Brendan's character. I think this has to go onto my wishlist of books to own. Readers will welcome the return of the popular and appealing Brendan Buckley as he encounters the trials and tribulations of middle school and struggles to forge his own identity within his family.5/2/11 ** This was a Young Hoosier Nominee for 2010-2011 before I returned all the nominees to the library, there were a few I still wanted to read. Does Dad think he's a science-nerd wimp? Can Brendan prove to him that his scientific pursuits really could be world-changing? Will they remain best friends? And Brendan and his police detective father aren't exactly seeing eye-to-eye. He misses hanging out with Khalfani, his best friend and Tae Kwon Do sparring partner. But their partnership clicks and they embark on a methane-producing experiment involving bottles, balloons, and the freshest cow manure they can find.Īs Brendan spends more time on the experiment, his big questions get even bigger. When his alternative energy idea gets him paired with Morgan, Brendan is more than a little skeptical. Like, why won't new-girl Morgan Belcher leave him alone? And what will he propose for the national science competition his class is entering? Brendan Buckley is headed to middle school, and he has lots of big questions.
0 kommentar(er)
