I am Albert Einstein

by Brad Meltzer Narrated by Marc Thompson, Various Narrators

Overview

We can all be heroes. That's the inspiring message of this New York Times best-selling biography series from historian and author Brad Meltzer.

Even when he was a kid, Albert Einstein did things his own way. He thought in pictures instead of words, and his special way of thinking helped him understand big ideas like the structure of music and why a compass always points north. Those ideas made him want to keep figuring out the secrets of the universe. Other people thought he was just a dreamer, but because of his curiosity, Einstein grew up to be one of the greatest scientists the world has ever known.

What makes a hero? This lively, fun biography series by best-selling author Brad Meltzer answers the question, one great role model at a time.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

06/01/2014
K-Gr 3—In this simplistic, "feel good" book about Albert Einstein, the scientist relates the story of his life in first-person narration. Meltzer emphasizes the theme of curiosity in a heavy-handed way, reminiscent of the old "Valuetales" series (Value Communications). Children will enjoy the comic-book—like illustrations that always depict Einstein as a small figure with an oversize head, tiny body, and mustache and mop of white hair—even as a child (meanwhile, grown-up Einstein is dwarfed by other adult characters). However, because of the lack of explanatory information and background material, the book fails to live up to expectations for biographical nonfiction. Readers will come away without a firm grounding in who Einstein was or what he accomplished. Helpful supplements such as an author's note, time line, resources, or recommended reading are also missing. Though this title may have some entertainment value, adults should be on hand to explain how much is fictionalized. For a picture-book biography of Einstein that truly succeeds, try Jennifer Berne's On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein (Chronicle, 2013), a superbly written work that features dreamy watercolors and emphasizes the scientist's creativity and wonder. For those seeking a more traditional biography, Dana Meachen Rau's easy reader Albert Einstein (Compass Point, 2003) is a better alternative to Meltzer's effort.—Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

Kirkus Reviews

2014-06-25
The brilliant 20th-century scientist exhorts readers to keep asking questions.Meltzer presents Einstein from birth through childhood and adulthood as one who always thought carefully before speaking and loved his head of hair. Apparently, one of the white-haired, mustachioed tot's first sentences was: "My hair is so AWESOME!" As a young boy, he decides to figure out "Why did the universe behave the way it did?" From there, it is a fast trip to playing the violin, studying math and the famous equation E=mc2, which is not well-explained in the text. Of far greater importance is the exhortation that readers should value curiosity, difference and learning—all of which could lead to inspiration. There is no backmatter and no sourcing for a concluding quotation, but two pages of photographs are credited. The author provides no additional biographical information about Einstein's incredibly multifaceted life. Eliopoulos' digitally rendered cartoon illustrations are caricature more than representation. As in previous titles in the series, Einstein has a large, round head; his is adorned with the scientist's signature mop of white hair and full mustache from birth. It is an oxymoron to include his life in a series about "ordinary people."Another pointless entry in a series intended to inspire more than inform. (Picture book. 3-6)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169292251
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	02/05/2019
Series:	Ordinary People Change the World Series
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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