George's Secret Key to the Universe

This book was enjoyable. What was not enjoyable was the errors in the Kindle edition. I find it completely unacceptable that a book in this day of high technology has such ridiculous errors. One part of a sentence was missing on one page and showed up in a paragraph a few pages later. There were a number of spelling errors. This is a book written for young readers. I find it disappointing that the publisher and the store aren't taking more care with the product so that young readers don't have problems reading the book or learn incorrect spelling of words.

This book has some,good info. However, there's too much BICKERING back and forth between the 2 main subjects, (children), of which 1 little girl talks the Family's computer,,, into taking her and her neighbor's boy on a flight through the Universe riding on a Comet? these 2 and the fathers, argue most all through the book. I do NOT recommend it.

At first she was leery of it -- perhaps sensing that I had bought it with an educational purpose lurking in the back of my mind ;) So, though she ordinarily dives into books on her own without any further prompting, I had to read it to her at bedtime for weeks before she went from complaining "Oh, not that book again" to silently looking forward to it. And then the switch was thrown -- she started picking it up from the coffee table and reading it on her own, and then for a few days was literally entranced by it. She walked through the house reading it, brought it to the table, read it in the car, etc.

Might be worth noting that one step toward getting her to accept the book was name substitution -- i.e, when reading it to her, I had to use her name instead of the main character's name (George), and had to switch all pronouns referring to the protagonist from male to female (not always easy to do on the fly). She prefers to think of it as her adventure, and hey, if this helps, I'm all for it.

I like very much reading Stephen Hawking, and I thought my son, a 13 years old boy, should give it a try. From the start he was not very excited, and he just read on because I read with him. But at chapter 28 he gave up and would not read on. The story is a little bit boring, I have to agree with my son. And the scientific information is given in the form of notes throughout the book, which my son did not like to read, as it is not directly related with the story.

The fictional story is fast paced and well written. George, whose heart's desire is a new computer, is the son of activists who believe that technology is the root of all evil. They grow all their own vegetables, knit, and keep a large pig in the backyard. But when the pig escapes, George goes looking for it and finds, instead, his unusual neighbours. Annie is a girl around George's age, and her father Eric is the classic absent-minded physicist. Eric has invented an amazing computer called Cosmos who has been able to create a portal directly into space. After Eric very patiently explains a little bit about space, technology and the good and bad ways in which it can be used, George and Lucy suddenly find themselves exploring, and what a trip it is.

What really makes this book interesting is that the concepts that underpin it are quite modern. Relatively recently, Hawkings has discovered the ways in which black holes emit energy and slowly disappear, and these are explained very simply and easily. There is a nice blend here between physical fact, science fiction (if only a computer like Cosmos existed), and that lovely sense of wonder that underpins the study of astronomy. The book make a refreshing change for young readers from the dark world of black magic that seems to have taken precedence in fiction for young adults. After all, what could be more magical than a star at the centre of a plantary nebula, or the Pillars of Creation. It wouldn't surprise me if this book inspired a few more decades of physicists ready to explore the stars or the very origins of the universe.

Magdalena Ball is the author of Sleep Before Evening

I read this book before sharing it with my children...and I learned a lot! It's a beautiful book with an eye-catching cover and fantastic illustrations. A very likable adult character explains scientific concepts to a child character, so it's easy for the reader to understand. More information is in sidebars, so the reader can choose whether to delve deeper into the subject.

I've since shared this book with my children. They did not find the 'lessons' tedious; they found them fascinating. The adventure is gripping. The message is a good one. I applaud Stephen and Lucy Hawking for sharing their knowledge and theories with a broader audience.

A child whose idea of an interesting story is "Captain Underpants" may not appreciate this book. It's intelligent and well-written, and it takes some thought to absorb the science in the first few chapters and apply it to what happens in the interstellar adventure. For me, that's not a bad thing; that's part of what makes this book great! Middle-schoolers, and younger children who read at a higher level, will enjoy this story.

George's Secret Key to the Universe

Books usually have boring beginnings, however this one started with a quite weird one and this was the reason I read it. George becomes friend with the "strange" next-door family despite his parents' advice. Eric, the next-door neighbour, had developed together with George's teacher, Gr. Reeper, a powerful device (COSMOS) that could transfer people to the universe. However, the inventory team had split due to Gr. Reeper's evil plans. Will Gr. Reeper manage to steal COSMOS while the neighbour team is travelling in exciting and dangerous space worlds?

This book should get a 4/5 stars because it has very nice descriptions of the universe and all its wonders. Additionally, it has extreme characterizations and the personalities of the characters are given through a wonderful plot. Unfortunately, it lost one point due to the fact of the common ending, despite the promising beginning.
The authors have done a terrific job in describing the setting of the story, the universe. The universe is a mystery anyway and through facts and scarce amount of pictures we try to understand it. However, the authors try to explain it by picturing the mysteries and giving understandable to kids interpretations. I was amazed while reading chapter twelve (pg. 106-115), and I felt like being on Saturn itself. Within a few pages I understood things like gravity, space distance, and solar system. In addition, I think that the authors chose the setting of the universe in order to convert a usual adventure between "bad" and "good" guys into a succinct and meaningful description of the space. The readers after finishing this book will find themselves both pleased from the adventure and full of new information and knowledge.

Moreover, the authors have done a great work through the characters used. It is well known that everybody has a different personality. In this book the authors try to describe through the personalities the constant "war" between the good and the bad, the new and the old, the conservative and the progressive. A characteristic example is given in the very first chapter where George is described as being very fond of technology while his parents are so against it. This is so common throughout the history of humans. Young people always like progressive ideas and adventure. They try to overcome the obstacles, even with illegal ways, like George crossing the fence in pg. 12 despite the contrary instructions of his parents. I think that this book tries to tell that progressive ideas can be frequently good if they proceed through reasonable rules. Eric is a character that incorporates all the fine elements that one's personality must include: open in new ideas with logical thinking, sensible rules, and kind with people.

I loved how the authors used the language in this book. Their writing is so clear and understandable that made so much information about science seemed like a fairy tale. This book has so many scientific facts, but guess what? I am not a fan of science, but it still suited me. However, if someone doesn't like science at all he can still enjoy the adventure through the easy going authors' language and writing. I also enjoyed the authors' technique regarding the additional information provided within the text. The scientific pictures and drawings together with the short scientific data provided among the book's pages can help the reader to understand the story better while learning useful things.

This book is recommended for people that are 9-12 years old. I believe that whoever reads it will definitely like and enjoy all of it. Have a good reading!!!

George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking

It all starts with a boy named George who has a pig named Freddy, and also has anti-technology parents. He soon notices his pig is gone and has run into what his parents thought was an abandoned house next door. He goes into his neighbor’s house to look for Freddy, and meets his new neighbors: Eric, Annie, and Cosmos. (Cosmos is the world’s most powerful computer, with an attitude.) Cosmos and Eric teach George the basics of Science and make George take the Oath of the Scientist. The next day at school, George meets Dr. G. Reeper, aka Greeper. Greeper is mysteriously interested in learning about Cosmos. One day after school Annie takes George on an out of this world adventure. Greeper continues to plot to steal Cosmos, while George learns more about the Universe from working with a conference of scientists.

We recommend this book to anyone who likes Science and Science Fiction, and is good for ages 6 and up. This book is both fiction and nonfiction. We didn’t like this book, we loved this book, because of all the adventures and the suspense. We hope you enjoy this book as much as we did.

From a third grade class in Cleveland, Ohio

The whole family, kids and parents, loved this series. We listened to the audio books on a huge road trip we took this summer in Colorado and Utah. The book made star gazing all that more wonderful each night. It had many important messages and facts woven into an engaging story and gave us a lot of topics to discuss. I very much recommend these books as they open the imagination and invite wonderful conversations.
Our kids, for example, spent many evenings while listening to the books ponding where they might want to travel in the cosmos if they could. We talked about how much of our technology can be used for destructive forces, but also how it can be used for exploration and progress. We talked about going to the moon, but also how so much of our energy and innovation centers on building our military complex in the United States. We talked about global warming and how we have developed technology to solve the global warming problem. It was a wonderful and imaginative adventure and a pleasure to immerse ourselves in Lucy and Stephen's world where we could take and adventure harnessed by their imagination and knowledge of the universe.

Arrived quickly in excellent condition. I just finished reading it . Fascinating story with twists and turns, very well written for a large audience. Color photos of the universe as well as well written and easily understood facts of physics.
I think every school and public library should have this book. LOVED IT!

The story begins with the disappearance of George's (a young lad) pet pig, Freddy. Following the hoof-prints leads next door where George meets a scientist (Greg) and his young daughter (Annie). George has been raised in an "anti-technology" environment - his parents believe minds are wasted watching TV, and technology has been used too often to harm the environment. Greg, however, is an understanding adult and patiently explains various basic scientific facts (births and death of stars, shooting stars, basic atomic structure, comet tails, etc.), and introduces George to Cosmos - the world's most powerful computer (according to Cosmos, a computer that speaks and has an attitude).

George has always wanted a computer, and has been saving his money - only eight more years and he'll be able to get a used one! Cosmos, however, is no ordinary computer - not only does it speak, but it can transport approved users anywhere in space and time. Using one of Greg's extra space suits, George experiences space travel after first becoming an approved user (thanks to Greg) and taking the Oath of a Scientist - to use scientific knowledge only for good.

Unfortunately, Greg has to get back home, and then it's school the next day. As soon as possible he returns, goes on another adventure, and barely escapes a large, very dark area - thanks to Greg pushing him back to a computer portal that leads back to the house. The dark area, unfortunately, is a black hole - from which nothing ever escapes.

The good news is that George finds the new book that Greg tells him he needs, with the latest information on black holes. There, courtesy of some simplified notes Greg had written for Annie and George, he learns that black holes slowly disintegrate through Hawking radiation that also emits anything captured in the hole.

After the book is input to Cosmos, the computer arranges to fast forward billion of years, reconstruct Greg, and bring him back home. George then tells his story of the wonders of science and physics at a school science program and wins the new computer he so wanted.

I purchased the "George" series for my 6-year-old daughter, and she absolutely loves these books. (I read them to her, they're obviously far above her reading level, but the story is at her comprehension level. Many of the essays are a little advanced for her, but we try to work through most of them.) She was already interested in astronomy, but these books have really encouraged her interest, and with the characters George and Annie, shown her there's a place at the table for her too, as an amateur scientist. Since then, she's started her own science journal to record her observations. Much thanks to the Hawkings for inspiring young kids to explore our world and others.

Who says you can't explain theoretical physics to kids? Certainly not Stephen and Lucy Hawking, the authors of this children's adventure novel.

Stephen Hawking is the bestselling author of A Brief History of Time which has been said to "marry a child's wonder to a genius's intellect." Lucy Hawking is his daughter and a journalist. George's Secret Key to the Universe is their first collaboration, and what fun it is!

Alongside a tale of scientific adventure, the Hawkings provide readers with scientific diagrams, charts, and full-color photos of real images from space, with help from Christophe Galfard, a former student of Stephen Hawking. The line illustrations by Garry Parsons also add a lighthearted feel to the book--the representation of George was charmingly reminiscent of The Little Prince--and they certainly complement the voice of the novel - innocent, curious, and playful.

The novel also includes Hawking's latest ideas on black holes. They are presented within the story as a series of scientist Eric's notes, complete with handwritten doodles and age-appropriate language for Annie and George.

In the 1994 bestseller Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy (Fsg Classics), Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder gifted us with a fascinating primer on philosopher in novel form. He took us into the world of Sophie, a 15 year old who learned about the wisdom of thinkers from the pre-Socrates to St. Augustine through a series of letters from a mysterious correspondent. All the while, she was trying to solve a mystery. The device of wrapping intellectual lessons within a fictional narrative worked. It snapped up readers who might otherwise not pick up a "serious" work about high ideas--and allowed philosophy to seep into pop culture and the hands of the masses.

Lucy and Stephen Hawking's book does the same thing--it packs lessons about the science of physics into an exciting children's adventure, complete with likable (though sometimes stereotypical) characters. The end result: an informative and entertaining read for kids and adults alike. If I were a science teacher, I'd seriously consider employing the book in a middle or high school science curriculum.

Bonus: the book has a fun companion website: [...]

My seven year old loves everything to do with science...mostly space. He has had a hard time getting into reading. He'd much rather watch documentaries about space or do experiments on his little sister. However, when I bought the two books in this series, he lit up! He reads all of the time and seems more interested in reading. We read it together the first time and now he reads it to himself. He hopes there will be a third book. It has really helped him to have books that peak his interest!

This book is an absolute hit with my fourth grade students. They have been engaged in the story from page one, and enjoy being read to on a daily basis. They love the characters and can't wait to find out what will happen next. We can't wait to finish the book so we can begin the second book in the series.

My daughter LOVED this book. She loves it so much that she's reading it for the 9th time right now.

I highly recommend it for any child that loves space. The stories of George's travels kept her engaged, and there were days where she just couldn't put it down because "I have to see where George and Annie are going!"

She enjoyed it so much I had to read it myself, to see what had her so engaged. I even found myself getting drawn in, to see where their adventures would take them next.

Our daughter, 9, threw herself into this book and finished within three days. It's a fun, adventurous way to learn about physics, especially for young impressionable children. Highly recommend this collection of fact-based fiction!

I purchased this for my 13 yr old astronomy prodigy, so this is really his review of the book. Story line: George is a child growing up in a house with very little technology. The neighbors next door are scientists that have a laptop super-computer that can open windows to the universe. George befriends the neighbors and travels around the universe learning about stars, planets, black holes, and all the wonders found in space.

"This book was very interesting to read. I spent one whole night reading it from cover to cover and it was able to keep my interest. It is one of a few novels with a basis of true science, being co-written by Stephen Hawking himself, an amazing physisist. I did not find the story to be at all predictable and I would recommend it to the 8-14 year old crowd."

Our daughter, 9, threw herself into this book and finished within three days. It's a fun, adventurous way to learn about physics, especially for young impressionable children. Highly recommend this collection of fact-based fiction!

I purchased this for my 13 yr old astronomy prodigy, so this is really his review of the book. Story line: George is a child growing up in a house with very little technology. The neighbors next door are scientists that have a laptop super-computer that can open windows to the universe. George befriends the neighbors and travels around the universe learning about stars, planets, black holes, and all the wonders found in space.

"This book was very interesting to read. I spent one whole night reading it from cover to cover and it was able to keep my interest. It is one of a few novels with a basis of true science, being co-written by Stephen Hawking himself, an amazing physisist. I did not find the story to be at all predictable and I would recommend it to the 8-14 year old crowd."

Georges Secret Key to the Universe author: Stephen and Lucy Hawking xxxx
If you love science but can't quite read books like A Brief History of Time this is the book for you. Telling the story of young George. It all starts when his pig escapes through the fence when he rings the neighbors doorbell he finds a new world of friendship and discovery inside
review by:Adam

The writing was a bit disjointed. The first few chapters get you set up about the pig and old man and never go back to them. The kindle version of this book is the worst I've ever gotten. Multiple errors on a page and words missing. Had to stop several times when reading to my children to try and figure out what the sentence was supposed to say.

I enjoyed the story enough, although it seems that author suspended the laws of physics for the characters in order to teach about....the laws of physics. :(
I also found the spelling and grammatical mistakes on the kindle for iPad version WAY too common and distracting. Virtually every 'science 101' insert had errors! Would love to get my money back and buy it again after Doublday finishes editing it.

Except for an unbelievably clunky and clumsy first 5-6 chapters (60+ pages), this book is pretty awesome in that it both introduces very interesting, mind-blowing science concepts (black holes, radiation out of black holes, and recapture of information from black holes) and also has a very fast-paced, page-turner adventure story (escaping from a black hole). However, I doubt that many people who are used to Harry Potter-style smoothness can manage to begin wading through the first 6 chapters (60+ pages), which are super-clunky, and still keep faith that there will be a good part of the book eventually. (I almost gave up and almost stopped reading altogether.) My advice is to either (1) keep faith or, even better, (2) skip the first 5 chapters completely (but suffer with chapter 6), and you won't miss a thing. If you really worry that you've missed something, you can go back and read chapters 1-5 after finishing the book. [See footnote at bottom of this review regarding why first 6 chapters are bad.]

Some other points worth noting are that (1) this story is of the formerly common type that feels the need to have an evil villain (who murders a main character, later resurrected) for storytelling convenience, even though good-vs-"pure evil" is not a theme in this book as it is in Harry Potter, and (2) the villain in this book is surprisingly scary, and is a teacher, which parents of very young kids might object to. I think the cavalier murder in this book is more scary than the murders in Harry Potter because in this book it just happens, and no one seems very outraged by it afterward (perhaps just because the victim was later resurrected?), and there is no punishment; it's as if murder were somehow ordinary and okay in this world, which I think is unsettling (perhaps inarticulably) to a child. Another point is that the last chapter seems clunky again and not true to actual children behavior (the student body cheers wildly at George's boring science lecture for no plausible reason), and is highly skippable for anyone who doesn't like the tone-deaf, moralizing aspects of the book.

To go beyond this book, if you like science wrapped in fiction for kids, you will LOVE "Clan Apis" (Clan Apis) by Jay Hosler, which is the best science-wrapped-in-fiction book that I have ever read, and is beautiful for adults (it may make some cry, in a good way) and great for a child of any age; my boy loved it at age 2. For older kids and for adults, the classic "Mr. Thompkins In Paperback" by George Gamow is awesome, but don't bother with the "updated" version, "New Adventures of Mr. Thompkins" by Russell Stannard and the still-deceased George Gamow, because the updated version shovels boring lecture-mode verbosity into George Gamow's light and whimsical prose. Stannard's "Uncle Albert" series of books (e.g., Black Holes and Uncle Albert) is extremely good--in many ways better than this "George's Secret Key .." book by the Hawkings because the "Uncle Albert" books have better, more in-depth science. But this Hawkings' book has a more intense adventure and a slightly more mind-bending and rarely-mentioned (but superficially treated) science topic: recapture of information from a black hole. Of course, "The Magic Schoolbus" series and "The Magic Treehouse" series are good, too, for knowledge-wrapped-in-fiction. Please, fellow reviewers, tell us about other good knowledge-in-fiction stories, as did our fellow reviewer Sandhya when he mentioned "Sophie's World". Thanks.

[Footnote: The first 6 chapters (and the last chapter) of this "George's Secret Key ..." book are so bad that they almost seem to be written by a different set of authors as the rest of the book. In the first 6 chapters, instead of using science as part of the story, the book teaches science only via very boring LECTURE after LECTURE from the neighbor-girl's dad to the title character George. Also, in the first 6 chapters, there is some annoyingly heavy-handed and inelegant moralizing and social commentary. Also, there are just too many unnecessary details that don't move the story along in the first 6 chapters. The free excerpt on the the store site (i.e., the book's first 10 pages) give a hint of the over-verbosity of the first 60+ pages of the book. 10 whole pages into the the store excerpt, and nothing has happened except a pig is discovered missing, and we haven't left the house yet, and nothing will happen for many more pages! For just one example among many of over-detailedness, we can see that the authors spend many words on the pig, but the words on the pig are a big waste of time because the pig will cease to matter the second the boy goes next door! Further to the free excerpt on the store's page, I will in the "comments" section give another example passage that shows the clumsiness of the first 6 chapters. ]

I bought this book mostly for my science-loving son but his sister enjoyed it as well. It took them a bit to slog through the first part of the book but eventually they got hooked to the point where they didn't want to put it down. They are now reading the sequel and cannot wait for the 3rd book in the series to be published here in the U.S.

This book is intriguing, combining fact with fiction, in a very interesting way.
After reading the story, my son reread the factual pages and looked at the photographs seriously, asking numerous questions. It opens up a new world of interesting science to young scientists.