SPECTRUM by anti\u002Dglobalization protesters in 1999, where teen runaway Melody Parker meets Echo, an androgynous, glam vision in spiky blond hair, white pinstripe jumpsuit with red\u002Dorange accessories, and blue lipstick and nail polish. Echo explains that Melody is actually an eons\u002Dold, reincarnating demiurge destined to settle a celestial war by restoring the primordial music of the universe. Sensing that Echo and her space\u002Dsuited minions are bent on destruction, Melody leaps off a radio tower, sprouts cicada wings, flies to Los Angeles, and meets record\u002Dshop owner Ada Latimer, whose long\u002Dlost father, Leon, a bassist in the band The Opticks, plays a murky role in the Melody\u002DEcho conflict. Fleeing Echo, Melody and Ada travel to 1936 New Orleans, where the narrative follows a noirish subplot about a love affair between a photographer and a married woman. Melody and Ada then chug off on a magical train called Glory, which is steered by songs. Ada takes a turn as a punk\u002Drock chanteuse while Melody confronts George Parker, a tweedy record producer who claims to have created her as an immortal weapon against the abyss. Melody and Ada reunite and find the dementia\u002Dstricken Leon on his deathbed—but so does Echo, now a 1,000\u002Dfoot\u002Dtall colossus\u003B she vows “to kill the infernal fridge buzz of existence” unless Ada can divine from Leon the song that will defeat her. Quinn’s kaleidoscopic narrative verges on incoherence, but the characters—especially the brassy Echo—are magnetic, and the dialogue is ardent and lyrical in its odes to the creative spirit. (“The only way to achieve transcendence is to risk madness.”) Chisholm’s artwork nicely balances throbbing color, psychedelic ambiance and off\u002Dkilter perspectives with kitchen\u002Dsink realism in quieter scenes depicting Ada’s childhood. The result is a compelling blend of tuneful mysticism and eye\u002Dpopping visuals." - Review & Purchase Guide | BookBookOwl

Name: SPECTRUM
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.6 (43 reviews)
ISBN: 9781545817

Our Review

This vibrant exploration of color theory and light physics transforms abstract scientific concepts into a visual feast for young minds, using stunning illustrations to demonstrate how prisms work and why rainbows appear. The book masterfully breaks down complex ideas about the electromagnetic spectrum into digestible segments that middle grade readers can grasp, making optics and wavelength physics accessible through clear explanations and engaging diagrams. Each page reveals another fascinating aspect of how we perceive color, from the basics of refraction to the science behind why the sky appears blue.

What sets this science book apart is its hands-on approach—it includes simple experiments using household items that allow kids to create their own spectrums and observe light phenomena firsthand. Teen readers will appreciate the deeper dives into topics like infrared and ultraviolet light, while the visually striking layout ensures even reluctant readers stay engaged. This comprehensive guide to light and color succeeds where many science texts fail by making physics feel like magic while grounding every wonder in solid scientific principles.

SPECTRUM

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