  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 01/01/2017 Gr 3–5—Lasky introduces young readers to Isaac Newton and a few of his well-known breakthroughs. The book follows Newton from childhood through his college years, including some of his most significant discoveries, such as the theory of gravity and the secret of the rainbow. There is a lot of information to be covered, and the text moves quickly. None of Newton's ideas are explored in depth, but the simplified explanations are appropriate for the audience. Lasky makes Newton accessible to contemporary readers. He was a small kid: he was often bullied and didn't do that well in school. Eventually, he stood up to his bully, proved his abilities, and went on to excel at university. The author points out that it took Newton a long time, with many mistakes made along the way, to develop his theories. A number of interesting anecdotes are peppered throughout; for instance, Newton once got off a horse to walk up a large hill but then forgot about the horse and kept walking long past the top of the hill. There is also a description of the bubonic plague and the London Fire of 1666. Both of these events had a great impact on Newton's life. These stories offer context and add tension, making the narrative more exciting. Hawkes's illustrations provide detail and help set the tone for each episode. VERDICT Budding scientists may gain some insight into this creator's life, and those needing to do a report will find some useful material. A good choice for schools and larger collections.—Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Fort Thomas, KY - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 02/01/2017 Grabbing the attention of young readers from the get-go, the award-winning duo presents seven chronological vignettes in the life of Isaac Newton. Lasky’s appealing narrative zeroes in on Newton’s curiosity and hunger to learn about the world—characteristics likely to resonate with children today. Young readers will come away with plenty of facts about the scientist, but they also might chuckle at his antics and absentmindedness, like his disastrous shepherding skills or his sneaky use of a gust of wind to help him win a jumping competition. Hawkes’ detailed mixed-media depictions include facial expressions aptly capturing Newton’s inquisitiveness and incessant preoccupation with the sky. All of his wondering comes to a head when he’s stuck at home during London’s bubonic plague, and the isolation gives him an opportunity to formulate some of his most iconic theories, such as his discovery of the rainbow spectrum of visible light. Relatively dense text makes this better suited for more advanced readers, but younger inquiring minds could be equally delighted by listening to this genial biography read out loud. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. Loading...
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