Don Brown enjoys a growing reputation for his nonfiction books for children. He is the recipient of distinguished awards and nominations and his books garner favorable reviews in respected journals. Odd Boy Out is one of his picture book biographies, which he illustrated himself. The book is well-researched, as evidenced by the bibliography included in the back of the book. Also included is an �Author�s Note� that presents additional factual information about the great scientist and his accomplishments. The author does not resort to fictionalizing, and includes no imaginary conversations. He allows the actions of the characters to speak for themselves.
Brown chose a worthy subject in Albert Einstein. He focuses on the ways that Albert Einstein was different from most people, and sends the message to children that even people who don�t fit in can become great. Albert had a bad temper and could be very unkind. �Albert is sometimes cruel to his sister, Maja.� He was unpopular with his peers. �Among his classmates, he is an odd boy.� He is a poor student and frustrates his teachers with his slow, plodding responses in school. �Is Albert dull-witted? the teachers wonder.� The author shows how young Albert learned to do what was necessary to become a success, eventually becoming a scientist, husband, and father. His �different way of thinking� eventually earned him the Nobel Prize. �For the world, Einstein comes to mean not fat baby, or angry child, or odd boy, but great thinker.�
The book design and art contribute effectively to the story. The cover combines images of young Albert as a child, with mathematical and scientific images and formulas that hint of his future accomplishments. This is set against a black background that represents space. Don Brown illustrates the text with pen, ink, and watercolor. He effectively captures moods and emotions through the movement and expressions of the characters. His unique perspective heightens the isolation that young Albert experienced as a child, showing him isolated from his peers and occupying his own world of private thoughts while standing in the crowded streets of Munich.
A particularly effective two-page spread shows Albert as a young man, pushing a baby carriage, surrounding by swirling images that represent his reflections on the universe. Another shows a tiny Albert set among a collage of geometric figures, a subject he loved as a youth. An illustration depicting Albert when he was very sick and sad, while separated from his family, is done in blue tones. Across the page, a happy Albert has been reunited with his family, and is painted in sunny yellow hues.
The conversational tone Brown uses in the book is well-suited for reading aloud to children. He combines sentences of different length that flow smoothly together. Short sentences, used appropriately, add impact to the author�s descriptions. �Soldiers on parade excite the boys. They disturb Albert.� Brown does not dumb down the text of the book, but uses an appropriate vocabulary that includes scientific terms like �photoelectric effect,� �relativity,� and �constellation.� He does not flinch from unpleasant subjects, like the prejudice that young Albert suffered because he was Jewish. Young readers who are interested in Einstein�s scientific and mathematic contributions might be disappointed, since the book concentrates more on his foibles than his achievements. Publishers Weekly states that � The writing occasionally becomes muddy when discussing Einstein's scientific thinking and discoveries.� (October 18, 2004)
This book is a good introduction, for young children, to the life and thoughts of a truly great man. Children will identify with Albert, since many children sometimes feel �dumb,� misunderstood, and isolated. The greatness which this odd boy eventually attained will help children perceive nonconformity in a new light, and perhaps develop greater tolerance for themselves and others. �Young readers won't come away from Brown's newest picture-book biography understanding the theory of relativity, but they will be heartened by the parallels between their own experiences and those of an iconic science guy.� (Booklist, September 1, 2004)
Source
Books in Print [database online]. Available from http://www.booksinprint.com. Accessed 03 March 05.
Recognition for Odd Boy Out
ALA Notable Books for Children (nominee)
Related Websites
Don Brown
Einstein for Kids
NOVA�s Einstein Revealed
School of Library and Information Studies
TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY