Stephen Hawking cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
Book Level 7.6
Points 1.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Nonfiction
Word Count 8022
Points per Word 0.000125

Description

This biography profiles the life and achievements of Stephen Hawking, one of the world's greatest theoretical physicists.

Quick Summary

If you've got a kid who stares at the night sky wondering about black holes and the origins of the universe, this biography of Stephen Hawking is exactly the kind of story they'll want to sink into. Snedden does a really nice job of breaking down some pretty heavy physics concepts without making anyone's brain hurt, while also showing the human side of Hawking the way he dealt with his diagnosis, his stubborn sense of humor, and how he refused to let anything stop him from asking big questions about the cosmos. It reads more like following an inspiring adventure than sitting through a science lecture, which is a huge win for reluctant readers who might otherwise run the other direction when they see "biography." Parents will appreciate that it celebrates curiosity and persistence without getting too heavy or dark, even when tackling the tougher parts of Hawking's life. Kids who enjoyed other science-focused reads like "Who Says Dogs Can't Use Computers?" or books about other famous scientists will probably gravitate toward this one too. It's short enough to finish in a couple of sittings but packed with enough fascinating details about cosmology to keep the conversation going at dinner.