Newton's Rainbow: The Revolutionary Discoveries of a Young Scientist

The story of how Isaac Newton, a lackluster student at the bottom of his class, became one of the most influential scientists in history.

“If I have seen further, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants,” Newton said when asked how he could see and understand things that others didn’t. Galileo and Kepler were two of those giants, and a page is devoted to each in the course of this colorful treatment of the young scientist. Newton may have not been a stellar student, but he was interested in the world around him—the bloodsucking leeches and frogs’ livers used by the local apothecary, why apples fall down and not up or sideways, and why planets move. Lasky’s eye for the telling detail and Hawkes’ child-friendly illustrations capture the young Isaac Newton’s school days and his creative work during the bubonic plague and the Great Fire of London. However, the pages are dense with text, and in trying to make Newton’s complex ideas accessible to young readers, Lasky occasionally resorts to textbook-speak: “He was already using the laws of motion, laws that he would later explain and that form the basis of modern physics.” Overall, though, text and art work well together to portray Newton’s curiosity and sense of wonder.

Gr 3-5--Lasky introduces young readers to Isaac Newton and a few of his well-known breakthroughs. The book follows Newton from childhood through his college years, including some of his most significant discoveries, such as the theory of gravity and the secret of the rainbow. There is a lot of information to be covered, and the text moves quickly. None of Newton's ideas are explored in depth, but the simplified explanations are appropriate for the audience. Lasky makes Newton accessible to contemporary readers. He was a small kid: he was often bullied and didn't do that well in school. Eventually, he stood up to his bully, proved his abilities, and went on to excel at university. The author points out that it took Newton a long time, with many mistakes made along the way, to develop his theories. A number of interesting anecdotes are peppered throughout; for instance, Newton once got off a horse to walk up a large hill but then forgot about the horse and kept walking long past the top of the hill. There is also a description of the bubonic plague and the London Fire of 1666. Both of these events had a great impact on Newton's life. These stories offer context and add tension, making the narrative more exciting. Hawkes's illustrations provide detail and help set the tone for each episode. VERDICT Budding scientists may gain some insight into this creator's life, and those needing to do a report will find some useful material. A good choice for schools and larger collections.--Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Fort Thomas, KY

Lasky and Hawkes, collaborators on The Man Who Made Time Travel and other titles, provide a sensitive look at Isaac Newton. From an early age, Newton's deep curiosity set him apart, leading him to question, experiment, and study the work of scientists before him (brief profiles of Galileo and Kepler are included). Throughout, Lasky places Newton's story in historical context, weaving in such events as the bubonic plague and Great Fire of 1666. Of the apocryphal apple incident, she writes: "Here is what's true. There was a garden. There was an apple tree. The apple really did fall. Isaac was not asleep." (An explanation of how the apple incident might have contributed to his law of universal gravitation follows.) Hawkes's soft paintings tenderly capture Newton's discipline and the lifelong drive toward discovery. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)

"Lasky's appealing narrative zeroes in on Newton's curiosity and hunger to learn about the world, characteristics likely to resonate with children today. Young readers will come away with plenty of facts about the scientist, but they also might chuckle at his antics and absentmindedness." —Booklist

"Lasky makes Newton accessible to contemporary readers . . . Budding scientists may gain some insight into this creator's life, and those needing to do a report will find some useful material." —School Library Journal

"Lasky places Newton's story in historical context, weaving in such events as the bubonic plague and Great Fire of 1666 . . . Hawkes's soft paintings tenderly capture Newton's discipline and the lifelong drive toward discovery." —Publishers Weekly

"A lively . . . volume that may inspire readers to share Newton's interest in the world around them." —Kirkus