George's Secret Key to the Universe

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.

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 was recommended by Lucas' 5th grade science teacher. I'm glad I read it. (I used to try to convince myself that I must read his books to be certain they contain nothing objectionable, now I just admit I love kids books) The first few chapters were very slow moving. They set up the characters of the story. George is a child of two organic loving, technology hating "save the Earth" parents. They shun technology to the point where they use candles instead of light bulbs! Eric, the scientist neighbor who loves to teach. Annie, Eric's annoying but lovable daughter. Mr. G. Reeper (known as Greeper to his students) the science teacher in George's school, Greeper is the villain of the story..OK- you knew there had to be a villain, right? And let's not forget COSMOS, the most amazing computer in the universe. COSMOS, a talking computer with an attitude, reminded me of HAL from Space Odyssey, 2001. The book told a story of saving the planet and/or searching for other habitable planets. Should we work together to do both? Can technology be a good thing if used correctly? This book is full of fun scientific information. There are footnotes about the planets, comets, asteroids, matter, black holes and many other astronomical objects. The illustrations that accompany the story are wonderful, courtesy of Garry Parsons. There are several color photos of planets, black holes, comets and other things discussed in the book. Kids learn about astronomy without realizing they are learning! Don't forget to check out the webpage georgessecretkey.com

Early on, a character says "Science is a wonderful and fascinating subject that helps us understand the world around us and all its marvels." Having the reader appreciate this is the point of this hardback, which has science factoids and full-color photos from space scattered throughout. Co-authors Stephen and Lucy Hawking are father and daughter; he is the brilliant theoretical physicist who wrote A Brief History of Time . This book should help make the topic of science interesting and accessible to middle school kids. Lively black and white cartoons illustrate every page spread. And though the first five chapters are snooze-worthy, once it gets going the story itself is intense and funny. The adventure takes the reader to the far reaches of space and back, and along the way teaches a lot about science and how the world works, including Stephen Hawking's latest theories about black holes.

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

Got this book for my first grader daughter who does not like to read. So far, we finished chapter one, and she got sucked in! Yes, with the clumsy first chapter, but the language is quirky enough for her to like it. I will update later, as we go through it.We make sure to stop at the science facts sections, and talk about it. I like it, and so does she. She even demonstrated to me how the moon reflects the sun light (I've shown her maybe last year). So yes, I am giving myself a high five. Those of us living in the Bible belt know, that the idea of God making the sun go up and down is pushed down those children's throats here all a little too often. This book is a great resource for secular parents, science inclined, and everyone curious about the world. Update: finished this book, and started on the next one in the series! She loved it and begged to read it every day!

My 10 year old kept not wanting to read this book out of the 4 or 5 I had bought in that shipment. I had read such good things about it that I was a little mystified as to why she wasn't interested in reading it. But I have to admit, I was the one who had picked it out, not her. Since she apparently wasn't going to read it herself, I started reading it out loud to her at bedtime. I read about a chapter a night for 2 nights, then on the 3rd night, when I picked up the book to read to her, she said she'd already finished it! I just asked her, how many stars would you give it? "5" How would you describe it? "Amazing book!" Can you tell me anything you specifically liked about the content? "I liked all of it." So .. there you go. :-)

My 2nd grader is a science wiz and he loved this book!! He did have a lot of background knowledge on space so I don't think he learned that much on the subject but it was still cool to see actual pics of space and explanations of science concepts are simple. The story of George is very simple so don't expect higher language. I did because Stephen Hawking but his name on it but it was Lucy who wrote the story and it is very elementary. As a teacher I do recommend this book for its simple language and explanations since most students will not come to you with a lot of background knowledge of space. For just the facts and building that background knowledge I recommend "Outer Space (Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides)."

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.

Fantastic book. My 9 year old absolutely loved it!