Based on 3 Goodreads ratings
OLIVER'S GREAT BIG UNIVERSE
by Dr. Bertha, he does—from (primordial) soup to incidents that are pure nuts. Once again, the humor (including groan\u002Dworthy puns, farting, and mentions of poop) is matched to a middle schooler’s DNA, and the droll black\u002Dand\u002Dwhite line drawings reduplicate the fun (and convey information). The language is largely accessible: Words like paleontologist, domesticated, and fossils are defined in the text. A pronunciation cue is integrated for fungi (Dr. Bertha: “It’s pronounced ‘fun\u002Dguy.’” Oliver: “Yes, I am!”) but not for harder vocabulary (e.g., eukaryotes, haikouichthys, and Chicxulub). Cham explains scientists’ various theories for potential sources of life (such as lightning hitting the primordial soup or asteroids bringing “the right ingredients”). He also describes natural selection and mass extinctions. The book gets down to the microbe level, but there’s no mention of genes (even in the explanation of mutations), and evolution comes across as largely occurring in the past\u003B nevertheless, this is an entertaining overview of the basics. "
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This middle-grade science adventure follows an inquisitive 11-year-old named Oliver as he navigates the vast and often confusing cosmos of middle school, using his passion for astrophysics as both a ...
Our Review
This middle-grade science adventure follows an inquisitive 11-year-old named Oliver as he navigates the vast and often confusing cosmos of middle school, using his passion for astrophysics as both a shield and a compass. Through a winning combination of hilarious classroom mishaps, genuine scientific discovery, and heartfelt friendships, the book makes complex concepts about space and the universe feel personal and accessible. Young readers are invited into Oliver's world through his notebook-style entries, which are filled with doodles, fun facts, and his unique, witty perspective on everything from black holes to cafeteria politics.
What truly sets this story apart is its authentic voice and its seamless blend of STEM education with the universal anxieties of growing up. Oliver's struggles with feeling small in a big universe—both literally and socially—will resonate deeply with any kid who has ever felt out of place, while the embedded science lessons are so engaging they feel like secrets shared between friends. Parents will appreciate the book's promotion of curiosity and resilience, while kids will simply get lost in a funny, relatable story that proves you don't need to have all the answers to embark on a great adventure.
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