unacceptable

RGG: Well-written and compelling story about a family falling-out and secret uncovered by a very realistically portrayed Brendan, who is a scientist, geologist, and tae kwon do student. Reading Interest: 10-12.

Recommended by Noah, deals with race and being a non-white nerd kid in a fairly subtle way

Brendan's boyish earnestness is charming; he's a good kid you'd want to get to know. His desire to understand his identity and family dynamics will be familiar to many multiracial kids. Booktalk: Brendan Buckley loves making scientific discoveries. He has a notebook where he writes down questions he wonders about like “Do centipedes really have 100 legs?” and “Do boys fart more than girls?” Then he works to discover the answers. Brendan also loves collecting rocks and discovering new things about them. That’s why he decided to join a rock-collecting club and that’s where he made his biggest discovery of all: the older white man who is president of the club turns out to be his grandfather. Brendan has never met his mother’s father before. And she refuses to talk about him. Brendan doesn’t know why; his grandfather seems like a nice man. Without telling his parents, Brendan secretly visits his grandfather and goes rock-collecting with him. But there are some discoveries that science can’t explain and soon Brendan wishes he’d never met his grandfather at all. ( )

Brendan Buckleys Universe was a book I wish I could have engaged with more. It won the Coretta Scott King award but I was dissatisfied with the plot. I really had trouble relating to Brendan's grandfather or understanding all the secrecy from Brendan's mother. If Grandpa Ed has changed, how come his hasn't been to see his daughter or grandchild in 10 years? If he is still the same, why would Brendan want to know him? This book could be used to teach themes of prejudice, igmorance, and forgiveness. ( )