How to Teach Physics to Your Dog
Chad Orzel
New York : Scribner, 2009.
241 p.
Have a student interested in quantum theory? This is not a bad book for that. Orzel uses humor and the shtick of his dog supposedly asking question after question about the fundamentals of quantum theory.
In spite of the book being meant for the lay reader, I still had a lot of difficulty with understanding the author's explanations of wave functions and his attempt to explain decoherence and the idea of infinite universes. But, there is plenty to enjoy in the book and I LOVED his last chapter where he debunks and derides the shameless hucksterism of people like Depak Chopera who use shallow quantum theory mumble-jumble to sell their self-help and self-improvement books.
Other books I've liked that touch on quantum theory are the book You Are Here by Christopher Potter and The Elegant Universe by Brian Green (which is more about super string theories, and yet discusses a lot of quantum theory, too.)
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Flowers for Flowers for Algernon
Flowers for Algernon
Daniel Keyes
Orlando, Fla : Harcourt, 2004, c1959.
311 p.
I was recently at a public library where the librarian was looking for a recommendation for a young man who had read A Child Called It, and wanted to find a book that hooks you in and is a fast interesting read. Our book club at Urbana High School had just finished reading and discussing Flowers for Algernon and so I suggested it as a choice for the young reader. It came to mind quickly because the main character in the book also reveals life with a mother who - though not as monstrous as the one in Child Called It - is a horrible, abusive parent.
It's pretty amazing that this book was written in 1959. There is a certain timeless quality to it, and it still captivates readers; our book club readers all liked it. There are a few dated moments in the novel, but its plot is so engaging and the emotional impact of the novel is really compelling.
If you are completely unfamiliar with this novel, it involves a 30+ year old man with mental retardation who becomes the subject of an experiment that not only eliminates his retardation, but rapidly turns him into a polymath genius. Of course, there is a catch, but you'll have to read the book to find out what that is. What saves the book from being just an interesting curiosity, is its grappling with issues of what does it mean to be "intelligent" - and how does intelligence shape our understanding of what it means to be human. The main character also must come to terms with family memories, his stunted emotional life, new and old friendships, and of course, love.
Do you have a young reader looking for a catchy, plot driven book? Then suggest Flowers for Algernon - and old, but good read that doesn't disappoint.
Daniel Keyes
Orlando, Fla : Harcourt, 2004, c1959.
311 p.
I was recently at a public library where the librarian was looking for a recommendation for a young man who had read A Child Called It, and wanted to find a book that hooks you in and is a fast interesting read. Our book club at Urbana High School had just finished reading and discussing Flowers for Algernon and so I suggested it as a choice for the young reader. It came to mind quickly because the main character in the book also reveals life with a mother who - though not as monstrous as the one in Child Called It - is a horrible, abusive parent.
It's pretty amazing that this book was written in 1959. There is a certain timeless quality to it, and it still captivates readers; our book club readers all liked it. There are a few dated moments in the novel, but its plot is so engaging and the emotional impact of the novel is really compelling.
If you are completely unfamiliar with this novel, it involves a 30+ year old man with mental retardation who becomes the subject of an experiment that not only eliminates his retardation, but rapidly turns him into a polymath genius. Of course, there is a catch, but you'll have to read the book to find out what that is. What saves the book from being just an interesting curiosity, is its grappling with issues of what does it mean to be "intelligent" - and how does intelligence shape our understanding of what it means to be human. The main character also must come to terms with family memories, his stunted emotional life, new and old friendships, and of course, love.
Do you have a young reader looking for a catchy, plot driven book? Then suggest Flowers for Algernon - and old, but good read that doesn't disappoint.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Don't Rush to Rush
Rush
Johnathan Friesen
New York : Speak, 2010.
295 p. ; 21 cm.
I honestly wanted to like this book, but Publisher's Weekly judges that Friesen's "effort mars the excitement of rappelling into wildfires with flat characters that seem more motivated by the needs of the plot than real development....and too many of the other characters...are paper-thin archetypes." I couldn't agree more.
It's a shame, though, because there's a lot of good storytelling in this novel, and I confess that Friesen has a knack for hooking you in so that you want to read on - which is no small achievement, especially when looking for books that will interest young adult readers. However, I found some of the over blown heroics and feats of the main character just downright silly. His first day in elite firefighting training he runs a five mile wilderness course in 25 minutes flat and is barely winded! Additionally, motivations of the wooden characters leaves much to be desired. For example, one can never really understand what the main female character - Jake's love interest - sees in him, his main trait is a disturbed, depressed personality that only comes to life in adrenaline pumped danger.
I probably should have read Friesen's book, Jerk, California - which is probably a bit better. This book misses a chance to be a thrilling read that could have seriously wrestled with what makes thrill-seekers tick, the nature of courage, and definitions of honor. Instead it's more like a Saturday morning cartoon: fun, but ultimately very, very thin.
Johnathan Friesen
New York : Speak, 2010.
295 p. ; 21 cm.
I honestly wanted to like this book, but Publisher's Weekly judges that Friesen's "effort mars the excitement of rappelling into wildfires with flat characters that seem more motivated by the needs of the plot than real development....and too many of the other characters...are paper-thin archetypes." I couldn't agree more.
It's a shame, though, because there's a lot of good storytelling in this novel, and I confess that Friesen has a knack for hooking you in so that you want to read on - which is no small achievement, especially when looking for books that will interest young adult readers. However, I found some of the over blown heroics and feats of the main character just downright silly. His first day in elite firefighting training he runs a five mile wilderness course in 25 minutes flat and is barely winded! Additionally, motivations of the wooden characters leaves much to be desired. For example, one can never really understand what the main female character - Jake's love interest - sees in him, his main trait is a disturbed, depressed personality that only comes to life in adrenaline pumped danger.
I probably should have read Friesen's book, Jerk, California - which is probably a bit better. This book misses a chance to be a thrilling read that could have seriously wrestled with what makes thrill-seekers tick, the nature of courage, and definitions of honor. Instead it's more like a Saturday morning cartoon: fun, but ultimately very, very thin.
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