Bomb Graphic Novel: The Race to Build--And Steal--The World's Most Dangerous Weapon

by Steve Sheinkin (Author) Nick Bertozzi (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

A riveting graphic novel adaptation of the award-winning nonfiction book, Bomb--the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that birthed the arms race and the Cold War.

In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned three continents.

In Great Britain and the United States, Soviet spies worked their way into the scientific community; in Norway, a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing; and deep in the desert, one brilliant group of scientists was hidden away at a remote site at Los Alamos. This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.

New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin's award-winning nonfiction book is now available reimagined in the graphic novel format. Full color illustrations from Nick Bertozzi are detailed and enriched with the nonfiction expertise Nick brings to the story as a beloved artist, comic book writer, and commercial illustrator who has written a couple of his own historical graphic novels, including Shackleton and Lewis & Clark.

Accessible, gripping, and educational, this new edition of Bomb is perfect for young readers and adults alike.

Praise for Bomb (2012):
"This superb and exciting work of nonfiction would be a fine tonic for any jaded adolescent who thinks history is 'boring.' It's also an excellent primer for adult readers who may have forgotten, or never learned, the remarkable story of how nuclear weaponry was first imagined, invented and deployed--and of how an international arms race began well before there was such a thing as an atomic bomb." -- The Wall Street Journal

"This is edge-of-the seat material that will resonate with YAs who clamor for true spy stories, and it will undoubtedly engross a cross-market audience of adults who dozed through the World War II unit in high school." -- The Bulletin (starred review)

Also by Steve Sheinkin:

Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown
The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War
Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery
Which Way to the Wild West?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About Westward Expansion
King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution
Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War

Select format:
Paperback
$17.99

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 5 Up--The world is at war, when suddenly a massive scientific discovery threatens to change weapons and warfare forever. Multiple powers race to be the first to create a super weapon, steal information, sabotage the efforts of others, and even illicitly share information with the enemy. This is the story of the brilliance, lies, plots, and astonishing risks taken to create the most dangerous weapon the world has ever seen--the atomic bomb. The atomic bomb may be one of the most controversial inventions of all time, and this graphic novel adaptation of Sheinkin's Bomb (2012) handles the complex and ultimately unsettling history with honesty and openness. Gripping and fast-paced, the story also brings to light little-known characters such as the Norwegian commandos who prevented Germany from making their own atomic weapons. The science is explained simply, and Bertozzi's full-color illustrations seamlessly unite with the text for an immersive reading experience. Sheinkin does not shy away from the horror of these events, hauntingly moving from the passionate focus of the scientists at work to images and facts that highlight the devastating human toll of their creation. A swear word is included once, but it is in keeping with historical record and it isn't gratuitous. Back matter includes an epilogue and author's note with additional information on some of the historical figures in the book. VERDICT Sheinkin and Bertozzi take the story of one of the most significant events in recent world history and make it accessible to all readers, regardless of background knowledge. Recommended for purchase in all libraries where graphic works are popular.--Emily Beasley

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Kirkus

Starred Review
[T]he author expertly juggles multiple plotlines to tell a coherent tale at breakneck speed... A heady whirl of science and spycraft made even more immediate (and frightening) by strong visuals.

Hornbook

Starred Review
Sheinkin's work of award-winning narrative nonfiction is here sharpened by the author's own graphic adaptation--and portrayed through Bertozzi's skillful cartooning

ALA/Booklist

Sheinkin once again shows his versatility with this simple yet powerful format shift

Review quotes

"In this haunting, dramatic graphic novel, the original Sheinkin book about the Manhattan Project is seamlessly transformed into a new format."The Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books, starred review 


Steve Sheinkin

Steve Sheinkin is the acclaimed author of fast-paced, cinematic nonfiction histories for young readers, including The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights, The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery, and Bomb: The Race to Build-and Steal-the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. His accolades include a Newbery Honor, three Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, a Sibert Medal, and three National Book Award finalist honors. He lives in Saratoga Springs, New York, with his wife and two children.

Bijou Karman is an artist and illustrator from Los Angeles. She graduated with Distinction from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Bijou is inspired by nostalgia and a love of print and bright colors. She spends most of her time working on illustrations for editorials, books, and advertising, but also works in gouache to create paintings centered around fashion. She has illustrated How to Dress by Alexandra Fullerton, What Would Boudicca Do? by E. Foley and B. Coates, and the covers of the Penguin Classics editions of books by John Steinbeck and Iris Murdoch.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781250206732
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Roaring Brook Press
Publication date
January 20, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
CGN012000 - Comics & Graphic Novels | Adaptations
TEC025000 - Technology & Engineering | Military Science
Library of Congress categories
History
Great Britain
United States
World War, 1939-1945
Germany
Secret service
Atomic bomb
Soviet Union
Commando operations
Norway
Operation Freshman, 1942
Vemork
Science
Cartoons and comics
Comics (Graphic works)
Historical comics
Nonfiction comics
Comics adaptations
Espionage, Soviet
Arms race

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