The On-Line Spaceman and Other Cases

by Seymour Simon

Book Overview

Einstein Anderson is a whiz at science and readers are invited to have fun matching wits with this science detective as he investigates ten mind-boggling mysteries of science--from a hypnotized frog... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380726629
• ISBN13: 9780380726622
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: HarperTrophy
• Length: 92 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.1" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Clever, witty, interesting science and flawed characters

As an admirer of Seymour Simon's many science books, I hope he will consider revamping this and any other books in the Einstein Anderson Science Detective series that use the stereotype of the ridiculing smart kid vs. the cheating stupid bully. The science was out of the ordinary and the punny jokes were delightful. (Thus, 4 stars.) However, having spent much of my young adulthood with engineering students who, for self-aggrandizement, used their knowledge as an arrogant weapon, I would recommend against smart/good vs. dumb/bad plot mechanism. Neither character in such a bickering duo comes off as admirable. Certainly Simon can find witty ways to include all children in the love of science. Teaching that science is the exclusive purview of a super-educated elite leaves the average kid thinking science is not for him or her. It also leaves such children prey to those snake oil salesmen who convince them not to "believe in" scientific fact. Involve everybody in the excitement of science. These books could do just that but fall short. If I use them for their many strengths, I will definitely get my students to examine ways in which the characters miss the mark.