I enjoyed this book. I believe this book would be great to use in a classroom for guided reading. I know my oldest students (4th graders in a k-4 resource room) would enjoy listening to me read the book to them. However, the content might be better suited for students in middle school

Lovely middle grade voice. I appreciate the delicate yet authentic and honest way Keller approaches depression and therapy. I've been reading this with my daughter and she really gets it.

This was so cute and readable! The use of the scientific method to propel the storyline was clever. It was respectful to the reader that there were no easy answers to the science team or her mom's depression. The egg drop team doesn't win the competition, but do stick together when she breaks into the lab. It is nice she has a friend of each sex. The ending is hopeful, her mom is working and trying to turn things around, but it is not one hundred percent fixed.

This is a charming, poignant coming-of-age story about divorce and hope. An enthusiastic new teacher plays an important role, a la Fish in a Tree, and the store is framed around a science journal in a clever way. Lots of STEM connections, as well as thoughtful relationships and well-developed characters.

How would you feel if your mother, who you look up to and long for was no longer herself?
This novel has so many great elements. It deals with depression of a parent and how to go on without that support system you had before. Natalie has to figure out how to do science projects with out her mom, who was before her biggest helper.
This is a much needed novel of family, and friendship and bigger issues that we aren't always sure how to address.

Keller, Tae The Science of Breakable Things, 304 pages. Random House, MARCH 2018. $17. Content: G.

Middle school student Natalie has been hiding her mother’s battle with depression from even Twig, her best friend. While she likes her science teacher, Mr. Neely, she can’t embrace his enthusiasm for their science projects, so he suggests to her that she make a team and join a local egg drop contest. When Natalie sees that the winners earn a cash prize, she jumps on it as a way to maybe also help her mother. So Natalie, Twig, and Dari, a boy in their class, form an alliance. Just as easily as a dropped egg can crack, cracks form in the team and at home. Can these cracks to repaired?

When I think about truly great books about middle school girls dealing with mental illness in parents, what comes to mind are Rocky Road by Rose Kent (2010) and Road to Tater Hill by Edith Hemingway (2009). Keller comes close to joining those ranks. I guess my big question is why is it always girls who are confronting these issues in tender ways? Where are the books that show boys that they too can be a force for good? Frustrating.

EL, MS - ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-science-of-breakable-things-by-tae.html

Excellent on many levels, this story about a seventh grade girl dealing with her mother's depression has many engaging themes woven throughout. The scientific method theme is used as an engaging vehicle to help tell the story, and would appeal to anyone who is involved in STEM projects. The theme of multicultural awareness is woven into the plotline as well, as is the ongoing struggle to come to terms with a beloved family member's mental health issues. Although the subject matter is deep, the story is filled with humorous,quirky characters and the theme of friendship is another prominent feature. This book would appeal to middle grade and middle school readers who are looking for a hopeful tale about meshing the scientific approach to life with emotional realities.

This is an incredible, heart-felt story of a girl whose mother has depression. It's an important topic and the author deals with it skillfully.

What do you do when your world is slipping off kilter and you don't really know why? Seventh grader Natalie uses the lessons taught in her science class, applys the scientific method, and comes up with a plan to fix her family.

Looking for someone to blame for her mother's growing depression she concludes that her mom"s boss has fired her and therefore is deserving of her resentment. If she can win the $500 prize in the egg drop contest she can take her mom to see the rare orchid she loves and all will be better. While working towards this goal she learns about true friendship and that adults have weaknesses too.