'The Atomic Weight of Secrets' reviewed by Ryan

Synopsis: (click here for the extremely long version)

In 1903, five truly brilliant young inventors, the children of the world's most important scientists, went about their lives and their work as they always had.

But all that changed the day the men in black arrived.

The Atomic Weight of Secrets is not the best story I've ever read, but it's not the worst either. I would compare this book to an apple tree that is not yet ripen, after awhile the tree's apples become ripe and able to eat. Well the trees unripened apples are the beginning of the book, the ripened apples are the middle and the end. I didn't like the beginning of the book because what the wrote never caught my attention. Later on in the book, I wouldn't say my mind was captured but more like tangled into the book. Also, if the writer was going for a mystery he did a horrible job of it.

Recommend? No, I wouldn't because this book has nothing a good book should have --- something to catch a reader's mind! I believe the writer tried to, but failed in doing so.  In the beginning of the book he started in the middle of events and it left me lost and confused rather than curious.

Rating: 5/10

P.S. I feel really bad asking Ryan to read this book because he really struggled to finish it!!! But he's a trooper and told me he wouldn't give up on it because it might get better. Too bad that wasn't the case! Sorry Ryan!!! I also want to add that I was glancing at the reviews of this one on Goodreads and noticed most of them were posted by adults. I think it's important to get a kid's POV on these books that are marketed to them.

 ~Mrs. T

Read and reviewed by Ryan B. Ryan wrote this review at the end of this seventh grade school year. He has since grown about 4 more inches and is currently terrorizing me on a daily basis when he comes into the library eager to find the next great book to read! Look for two more reviews from Ryan.....coming in November and December!

Author: Eden Unger Bowditch
Published: March 15, 2011
Publisher: Bancroft Press
Genre: Middle School Fantasy
* Review copy from Bancroft Press

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Ryan was not compensated for his review. His thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are his personal reflections based solely on HIS experience while reading this novel.

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