George's Secret Key to the Universe

As someone who has been a voracious reader for more than 7 decades my passions have ranged from the scientific to the esoteric. Over the years I have taken an interest in astronomy and cosmology. Even though I have read numerous books on those subjects in the past, while browsing on Amazon recently I came across this interesting 328 soft cover book (George’s secret key to the universe by Lucy & Stephen Hawking) and decided to purchase it. This book is aimed at children; however, even adults will enjoy this unusual volume that combines science facts with an educational interesting story of a young boy named George and a girl named Anne, who lives next store, and whose father has a magical computer. Along with the quite involved story involving school and other characters, there are numerous color photos and facts about the planets, stars, black holes and other areas of the cosmos. This book was created with collaboration between Stephen Hawking, his daughter Lucy Hawking and Christophe Galfard. I think this is a great educational type of book for younger students who enjoy reading a good story along with learning fascinating scientific facts about the universe. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Heart: An old warrior’s poetic tribute).

This book, written by the Hawkings, is a wonderful way to promote a love and appreciation for real science. Each of the three books in this series focus on a particular subject within the overarching Science branch of Physics. The premise is that an elementary school aged boy, George, has a scientist and his family move in next door. The scientist, Eric, has a daughter, Annie, who is a little younger than George, and a wife, Susan who is a music teacher. George has parents that are Ecoactivists and have taught George to distrust Science and Technology. They use candles rather than electric lights, grow their own vegetables, are vegetarians who cook all their food from scratch (like broccoli and spinach muffins), don't use computers at all, and go on protest marches. At the beginning of the story George is embarrassed somewhat by his parents because he is made different from the other children at school because of them. Then George meets Annie and her father next door. Eric shows George that Science is amazing and not something to fear. He also teaches George that Scientists are concerned about the state of the planet (and working to help the situation) and that he admires George's parents for taking a stand. George's parents eventually learn to accept Science and it's possible benefit to the planet and humanity for their part. In order to accomplish all this realization on the part of all the characters in the story, the authors weave an amusing sci-fi plot complete with the world's most powerful computer (a quantum one) named Cosmos able to create doorways into just about anywhere in the Universe. The children ride a comet around the solar system and Eric gets in trouble coming across the universe's most powerful object. George's teacher is actually an evil scientist out to get Eric and steal Cosmos and George also faces school bullies. The book is interspersed with science essays that could be a bit over the head of younger elementary students and even sometimes older ones. They will be interesting for more advanced students however. It also includes many full color glossy photos from the Hubble. Science facts about the solar system and other cosmic objects are woven into the plot. Also incorporated into the plot is an understanding of how real science actually works and how scientists work together to accomplish it. My 5th grade students loved this series as a read-aloud. My own children, 5 and 8, love this series as well. I highly recommend the series to parents and teachers. Every elementary school library should have a copy of these. Also, the audiobook versions of these are very well done, although they take out all the science essays. They are dramatized with fun sound effects and voice acting.

My 10 years old son loves the book! Great science topics to talk with your kids!

My 5th grader is reading this for school. I'm reading it to him and he's answering the questions and writing the papers. The story line is about a boy named George with anti-tech, hippy parents who meets his new next door neighbor and his daughter. They have a cool computer that can show them, teach them about and send them into outer space. There's bullies and a creepy teacher that add a little villainous fun, but not much. This is pretty much like reading about space with a tiny bit of character involvement to try and keep kids interested. Large portions of the chapters break out into an encyclopedic style of information. For my student at least, is not being retained and is so long that kids drift off and stop paying attention altogether. I continually stop and talk about what's happening in the story because the authors can skim over stuff that would be interesting to a 5th grader and embellish on the boring. I hope one or 2 facts sink in from this book but I'm not holding my breath. As a teacher, I've found a lot of resources online for this book which is very beneficial. You can feel good about buying this for a kid. I only wish there was a little less science informational dump and a more engaging children's story line.

Gifted this to grandson for Christmas and he loved it.

Beklentilerimi çok aşan, her bakımdan harika çocuk kitapları.

Para alguien que tenga un nivel B1 es difícil de leer porque tiene mucho vocabulario

SAFE READING - NO SPOILERS This is an excellent book; it will be enjoyed by adults as well as children and I recommend it for nine year-olds upwards (although if it is read to children, younger would appreciate it because adult readers can edit as they read). The scientific information is interesting, informative and detailed, all embedded in an enjoyable story which will carry children along while, at the same time, "educating" them; with Stephen Hawking and Christopher Galford (PhD), a former research student of Hawking, checking and writing, there could be no better guides. With Lucy Hawking (I suspect) leading the narrative, it seems an ideal team. The photographs and science-boxes can be read separately or as part of the narrative. I have always enjoyed Stephen Hawking's work and his acute, keen sense of humour; he is an inspiration as well as an excellent teacher. Recommended. PS I suggest strongly that adults read it first and prepare for the plethora of questions thinking children will ask.

Great book. Must buy for science lovers.