Tae Keller’s The Science of Breakable Things deftly balances emotional depth and scientific curiosity. Readers appreciate its sensitive portrayal of mental health and complex family dynamics. The protagonist’s voice is authentic and engaging, though some find the pacing uneven. Overall, it’s an uplifting and thought-provoking read for middle-grade audiences.

A reader who enjoys The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller likely appreciates emotional and heartfelt middle-grade fiction. Similar to fans of Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree or Holly Goldberg Sloan’s Counting by 7s, they enjoy stories of personal growth, resilience, and the exploration of mental health through a young protagonist’s journey.

In Tae Keller's epistolary middle-grade novel The Science of Breakable Things, seventh-grader Natalie Napoli documents her journey to win a science competition with the help of her teacher and friends. She hopes to use the prize money to take her botanist mother, who has depression, to see the miraculous cobalt blue orchids in New Mexico, leading her to learn valuable lessons about science, friendship, family, and mental health.

Emotional / Hopeful / Heartwarming / Contemplative / Bittersweet

Tae Keller

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Science of Breakable Things reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Science of Breakable Things | SuperSummary

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Overview

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The Science of Breakable Things Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Science of Breakable Things Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Step 1: Observe”-Part 2: “Step 2: Question”

Part 1, Chapter 1-Part 2, Chapters 2-6

The Science of Breakable Things Part 1, Chapter 1-Part 2, Chapters 2-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Step 3: Investigative Research”-Part 4: “Step 4: Hypothesis”

Part 3, Chapters 7-9-Part 4, Chapters 10-14

The Science of Breakable Things Part 3, Chapters 7-9-Part 4, Chapters 10-14 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Step 5: Procedure”

Part 5, Chapters 15-21

The Science of Breakable Things Part 5, Chapters 15-21 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Step 6: Experiment”

Part 6, Chapters 22-31

The Science of Breakable Things Part 6, Chapters 22-31 Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “Step 7: Results”-Part 8: “Step 8: Analyze Your Results”

Part 7, Chapters 32-41-Part 8, Chapter 42

The Science of Breakable Things Part 7, Chapters 32-41-Part 8, Chapter 42 Summary & Analysis

The Science of Breakable Things

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Who Should Read The Science of Breakable Things?

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