Simon Bloom, The Gravity Keeper

This is a review of the audio book.

Author: Michael Reisman

Reader: Nicholas Hormann

Producer: Listening Library

Production Year: 2008

Most of the listeners will be: Late elementary to early middle school boys and girls.

Listener's Advisory: I know these don't need any recommendation, but in case you've only read the book, give the Harry Potter audio books a listen.

Summary:

With a pop and the lingering smell of vacuum cleaner bags space-time rips open and drops the Teacher's Edition of Physics on Simon Bloom's head. But this is no ordinary book. Simon soon discovers that by speaking formulae he can control things like gravity and friction. He shares his secret with his best friend Owen, and later with Alysha who is suddenly more interested in what they are up to than hanging out with her "cool" friends. Soon the three learn that some very powerful people are after the book and are none too pleased that Simon has it. The book is supposed to be with the Keeper of the Order of Physics, but it (The Book) is acting like Simon is the Keeper even though he is an outsider to the Knowledge Union. Can Simon and his friends save The Book from the tattooed lady and convince the Order of Physics that they're on their side?

My favorite passage:

After meeting a spy from the Order of Biology, the kids find out that Owen and Alysha can each learn a formula if Simon writes it down on a piece of paper with their name on it. Alysha chooses a formula based on her knowledge of the enemy (the people trying to steal the book). But Owen chooses a formula based on his knowledge of himself. He bemoans the fact that when faced with danger he freezes. He learns a velocity formula so he can create motion where there is none. I like that he isn't just trying to make himself more powerful physically, but also emotionally.

What I really think:

Ever since Harry Potter became a sensation reviewers have been eager to say that this series or that series will be "the next Harry Potter." (There was a review along those lines on the copy of Theodosia and Staff of Osiris I read.) However many of these books do not possess some of the key qualities that make the Harry Potter books so appealing.

Simon Bloom does.

1) Camaraderie. Simon has friends who both support him and are awesome in their own right.

2) Contemporary setting. This story takes place now. The Knowledge Union goes to great lengths not to be noticed by "outsiders."

3) Magic, but not magic because we do actually want this to be different from Harry Potter. Simon makes miraculous things happen by using science. He manipulates physical properties and has to thoroughly understand them to get a good result.

In case you couldn't tell, I give this book my seal of approval.