Book Cover:
Book Summary: A biographical narrative of the childhood and early adulthood of one of the modern era's most advanced thinker. This story sheds light on the early days of Albert Einstein in a way that allows young children to relate and learn. From his rambunctious early years to his calm and pensive fatherhood Albert Einstein pursued a life of problem solving.
APA Reference:
Brown, D. (2004). Odd boy out: Young Albert Einstein. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Impressions: My impression is Don Brown attempts to write in such a way as to let young readers try to identify with Albert Einstein. Einstein's childhood into adulthood is perceived as a journey of self discovery and expression. As a boy he was angry, but through observation and travel he found his passion of problem solving. I envision children reading this book and obtaining inspiration to know even the most intelligent adults can start off as a frustrated child whose school performance was questionable at times. It also teaches a lesson of making the best of situations. Einstein did not immediately find a job in academia, but gained access to new thoughts by working in the patent department.
The language of the book allows for a young reader to manage most of the subject matter, but it will also prompt questions regarding scientific terms. The full page illustrations should not be overlooked in this book as they are rich with details and they portray Einstein with vacant thought and lost in a busy world. However, the narrative brings the reader back to reiterate the vacant appearance was caused by extensive pondering about topics many people cannot understand.
Professional Review: Jennifer Mattson's review on Booklist stated "Young readers won’t come away from Brown’s newest picture-book biography understanding the theory of relativity, but they will be heartened by the parallels between their own experiences and those of an iconic science guy. The author-illustrator of Mack Made Movies(2003) and other books presents the future Nobel Prize winner as a sallow, sunken-eyed little boy who lingers on the sidelines as other boys roughhouse, spends hours building a house of cards “fourteen stories high,” and vexes his teachers (one tells him that “he would never get anywhere in life”). Brown’s language dips into vagueness when it’s time to describe the mature scientist’s contributions, and the accompanying artwork is often disappointingly generic, awkwardly incorporating computer-generated elements that overwhelm the delicate ink-and-watercolor style used elsewhere. Still, this joins Frida Wishinsky’s What’s the Matter with Albert? (2002) as one of the very few picture-book biographies of Einstein available. Try giving it to older elementary students, who will get the most out of the detailed author’s note and bibliography featuring many books for adults."
Mattson, J. (2004, September 1). Odd boy out: The story of the young albert einstein. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/Odd-Boy-Out-The-Story-of-the- Young-Albert-Einstein-Don-Brown/pid=256549
Library Use: Collaborate with teachers to have students research different major scientific accomplishments or Nobel Prize Winners and present on not only their accomplishments, but also any personal details.
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