Starred review from February 4, 2008
Reisman's fast-paced, cinematic first novel, already optioned by Universal Studios, transcends its Spiderwickian premise to move in a different direction: it makes scientific concepts interesting and accessible. Like Newton's apple, a secret book—which contains so much power that it could become “the most dangerous thing in existence”—falls from above and hits the Everyboy protagonist, 11-year-old Simon Bloom from New Jersey, smack on the head. Titled the Teacher's Edition of Physics
, it teachers Simon how to turn himself into an 11-year-old superhero. As he tells his friends, the super-cool Alysha and tiny, cowardly Owen, “This Book tells me how science really works.... It only looks
like magic if you don't understand.” Using one of the book's formulas, he takes away Alysha's body's kinetic friction, and she slips and slides over dry forest leaves.The kids' personalities evolve as the book progresses, although the villains (they try to capture the book) are flat, stock characters. The narrator is British—“all the best Narrators are from Great Britain”—and members of an Order of Physics receive silly names, such as Ralfagon Wintrofline and Mermon Veenie. These mannerisms, by now familiar in novels for this target group, function almost as a kind of shorthand: kids who like ironic narration will like this title, too. Ages 9-up.
April 1, 2008
Gr 4-7-Simon Bloom, an average sixth grader who has made a habit of keeping his head down and out of trouble, discovers a "teacher's edition" physics manual that allows him to control gravity, velocity, and other physical properties. With his newfound powers, along with some new friends, he must face a rogue member of the mysterious Order of Physics who seeks to overturn the laws of nature. Part "Harry Potter," part "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", with a hint of "Goosebumps" thrown in for good measure, "Simon Bloom" is a solid choice for the intended audience. The book has a standard plot and characters that rarely rise above one-dimensional; what saves it is the playful yet respectful way that Reisman integrates actual physics into the story. While his characters are running around fighting people with ridiculous names, they are also learning about Newton's laws of gravity, motion, and velocity. With its mixture of humor, fast-paced action, and science fiction, this book will certainly appeal to many readers. Hopefully, it will get them interested in learning more about the real science, not the kind that enables kids to fly or shoot electricity, but the kind that still does some pretty cool things."Steev Baker, Kewaskum Public Library, WI"
Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 1, 2008
Occasionally breaking into the story with a first-person comment, this books omniscient narrator tells the story of 11-year-old Simon Bloom, who one day discovers a mysterious, hidden forest in the middle of his New Jersey town. Followed by timid Owen, Simon enters the clearing where a secret, powerful group, the Order of Physics, has just met and disbanded. The adventure begins when a large book pops out of nowhere and decks Simon. Entitled Teachers Edition of Physics, the book is filled with scientific formulas that Owen figures out how to use, much like magic spells. His increasing skillshe learns how to control gravity and frictiondraw the attention of smart, popular Alysha, who joins Simon and Owen in marveling over the books secrets. Together, they must fight against a mysterious woman whose body is tattooed with scientific formulas and who is trying to take over the world. This is great, escapist fare for those smart middle-grade readers who are fascinated by science, magic, and adventure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2008
Simon finds a teacher's edition physics textbook that grants him control over the laws of the universe. The story is told by a self-aware, intentionally didactic (though unintentionally grating) omniscient narrator who's dragged kicking and screaming through the fourth wall by Simon and friends. This derivative but entertaining adventure rejoices in its fast-paced, affectionate silliness.
(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)