Science of Breakable Things

Given a challenging assignment in school to answer an important question using the scientific method, young Natalie endeavors to help her botanist mother fight depression, an effort that leads to a new understanding that parents are people too. Simultaneous eBook.
Middle schooler Natalie's year-long assignment to answer a question using the scientific process leads to truths about her mother's depression and her own cultural identity.
An emotionally-charged new classic about the science of hope, love, and miracles! Natalie's uplifting story of using the scientific process to "save" her mother from depression is sure to take root in readers' hearts!How do you grow a miracle? For the record, this is not the question Mr. Neely is looking for when he says everyone in class must answer an important question using the scientific process. But Natalie's botanist mother is suffering from depression, so this is The Question that's important to Natalie. When Mr. Neely suggests that she enter an egg drop competition, Natalie has hope. Eggs are breakable. Hope is not.Natalie has a secret plan for the prize money. She's going to fly her mother to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids--flowers that survive against impossible odds. The magical flowers are sure to inspire her mother to love life again. As Natalie prepares for the competition, she will discover that talking about problems is like taking a plant out of a dark cupboard and giving it light.An extraordinary debut about the coming-of-age moment when kids realize that parents are people, too. Think THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH meets THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH."A compassionate glimpse of mental illness accessible to a broad audience." --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW"Keller crafts a winning story full of heart and action." --Booklist, STARRED REVIEW"Natalie is an engaging narrator whose struggles at home and with her peers ring true. . . . Readers will be eager to see what Natalie chooses to investigate next."--Deborah Hopkinson, award-winning author"Inspiring, emotional, and heartwarming."--Melissa Savage, author of Lemons