Oliver's Great Big Universe: A Novel

by Jorge Cham

Overview

This laugh-out-loud illustrated series is “mind-expanding and hilarious!” says Jeff Kinney, author of the international bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

“An absolute gem!” Lincoln Peirce, bestselling creator of Big Nate, agrees. “Will get the entire family laughing and learning together,” adds Kazu Kibuishi, creator of the New York Times bestselling Amulet graphic novel series.

From the bestselling writer and creator of PHD Comics, Jorge Cham, Oliver’s Great Big Universe is a diary-style series following an 11-year-old who’s taking on the whole universe—if he can survive middle school first.

Oliver has a lot going on as he starts his first year of middle school—new friends, new classes, new everything. But at least there’s one thing that still makes sense: science!

Determined to be an astrophysicist one day, Oliver explains everything he learns—like how the sun burps, how ghost particles fly through you, the uncanny similarities between Mercury and cafeteria meatballs, and most important, how the Big Bang is basically just like a fart in the school hallway.

Also, there are time-bending black holes, exploding supernova stars, and aliens! Well, there could be aliens.

Oliver finally feels like he’s starting to figure things out . . . but can he stay out of the principal’s office or catch a break from his annoying sister?

Oliver’s Great Big Universe series:
Oliver’s Great Big Universe (#1)
Oliver’s Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot! (#2)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419764080
Publisher:	Amulet Books
Publication date:	09/26/2023
Series:	Oliver's Great Big Universe , #1
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	740L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jorge Cham is the bestselling, Emmy-nominated creator of . . . many things: from the hit PBS kids’ show Elinor Wonders Why to the bestselling nonfiction book for adults called We Have No Idea, along with the smash podcast Daniel & Jorge Explain the Universe and the popular webcomic PHD Comics. He is, without a doubt, an expert on explaining things about the world in interesting and fun ways. He obtained his PhD in robotics from Stanford University and was an instructor and research associate at Caltech from 2003 to 2005. He is originally from Panama.

Editorial Reviews

Mind-expanding and hilarious! — I got smarter reading this!”—Jeff Kinney, author of the international bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy Kid

"Prepare for liftoff! This is exactly the sort of book that can turn reluctant readers into lifelong learners. An absolute gem!"—Lincoln Peirce, bestselling creator of Big Nate and Max & the Midknights

"Such a pleasure to read a book about the universe that is overflowing with both fun and facts. I wish I had this book when I was Oliver's age."—Sean Carroll, New York Times best-selling author of The Biggest Ideas in the Universe

"Here is Jorge Cham with his usual unique mixture of lightness, brio and scientific accuracy. Oliver’s Great Big Universe is a joy to read."—Carlo Rovelli, theoretical physicist and author of the international bestseller Seven Brief Lessons

"Funny and heartwarming! This book will get the entire family laughing and learning together.”—Kazu Kibuishi, creator of the New York Times bestselling Amulet graphic novel series

"Oliver's Great Big Universe will have you laughing out loud and spouting physics facts!"—Zach and Kelly Weinersmith, authors of the New York Times bestseller Soonish: Ten Emerging Technolog

***STARRED REVIEW***
"A stellar confluence of comic episodes and cosmic information. In addition to brilliantly integrated comic moments —surprising plot twists add narrative pizzazz to a serious raft of data about the universe. An irresistibly entertaining introduction to astrophysics."


—Kirkus

"In a successful effort to make his introduction to our physical universe not only painless but funny, Cham embeds it in the ruminations and misadventures of a budding astrophysicist... [A] STEM-centric tale...with an engaging human cast."—Booklist

From the Publisher

"Funny and heartwarming! This book will get the entire family laughing and learning together.

creator of the New York Times bestselling Amulet g Kazu Kibuishi

Mind-expanding and hilarious! — I got smarter reading this!

author of the international bestselling series Dia Jeff Kinney

"Funny and heartwarming! This book will get the entire family laughing and learning together.

Kazu Kibuishi

"Here is Jorge Cham with his usual unique mixture of lightness, brio and scientific accuracy. Oliver’s Great Big Universe is a joy to read."

theoretical physicist and author of the internatio Carlo Rovelli

"Prepare for liftoff! This is exactly the sort of book that can turn reluctant readers into lifelong learners. An absolute gem!"

bestselling creator of Big Nate and Max & the Midk Lincoln Peirce

"In a successful effort to make his introduction to our physical universe not only painless but funny, Cham embeds it in the ruminations and misadventures of a budding astrophysicist... [A] STEM-centric tale...with an engaging human cast."

Booklist

"Oliver's Great Big Universe will have you laughing out loud and spouting physics facts!"

authors of the New York Times bestseller Soonish&# Zach and Kelly Weinersmith

"Such a pleasure to read a book about the universe that is overflowing with both fun and facts. I wish I had this book when I was Oliver's age."

New York Times best-selling author of The Biggest Sean Carroll

★ 2023-07-13
A stellar confluence of comic episodes and cosmic information.

Robotics Ph.D., author, podcaster, and PBS Kids’ show creator Cham offers a straightforward and amusing guide to the universe through the eyes of a middle schooler. Copious cartoon vignettes and graphics ramp up both the instruction and entertainment. Oliver introduces himself as a normal 11-year-old, not always on task or even paying attention. One day in fifth grade, however, he became enthralled and motivated by space and decided to become an astrophysicist. Dr. Howard, the catalyst and his preternaturally patient ongoing mentor, is the scientist husband of his teacher. Folded into the science (along with groanworthy puns, helpfully indexed fart jokes, and bathroom humor) is a storyline about transitioning to middle school, where, happily, Oliver makes a friend in Evie, an artistic girl he creates planet cartoons with—along with the book we’re reading. In addition to brilliantly integrated comic moments—an escaped hamster, a run-in with the principal, a hypothetical chat with an alien—surprising plot twists add narrative pizzazz to a serious raft of data about the universe. Common experiences, like a road trip, sibling dealmaking, and Halloween scares, will make readers chuckle. Terms are defined in the text. A bonus spread supplies especially jaw-dropping data crumbs that will make a big bang in family dinner conversations. Oliver and his family have paper-white skin and black hair; Dr. Howard and Evie read Black, and Mrs. Howard appears white.

An irresistibly entertaining introduction to astrophysics. (resources, index) (Graphic nonfiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews