Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein

by Don Brown

Hardcover, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

E B EIN

Publication

Sandpiper (2008), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 32 pages

Description

An introduction to the work and early life of the twentieth-century physicist whose theory of relativity revolutionized scientific thinking.

Library's rating

Barcode

1810

Language

User reviews

LibraryThing member ermilligan
The book would not only be educational but also it could be used to teach the lesson that everyone is different. The book focuses on Albert Einstein's life and his accomplishments on an elementary school level. It talks about how he didn't like games like other kids his age did and that his
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teachers told him that he would never get anywhere in life, but to everyones surprise he became one of the most famous scientists of our time. He didn't let anyone else discourage him and he was very determined, which is a lesson everyone should follow.
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LibraryThing member Orpgirl1
Even before opening the cover of this book I was intrigued as to how Brown would distill Einstein's theories and methods into a simplified version that would be accessible to kids while (hopefully) still retaining the truth of his findings. Overall I was struck by how personally endearing Einstein
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was presented as a man, and how this accessibility led to his theories also being easily interpreted. The majority of the book did focus on Einstein's life before his famous time as a scientist and how this affected his later life and findings. Overall I enjoyed the main story archs present and how Einstein as presented by Brown is a person that children will want to study about and know better.
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LibraryThing member conuly
What ARE you going to say about Einstein that'll fit in a picture book for the 4 - 8 crowd?

Quite a lot, apparently. Like many children, young Albert (and this book does focus mainly on his youth) never fit in. The other children liked sports, and watching soldiers on parades; he didn't. Other
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children talked and cooed at two; he didn't. Other children answered questions quickly in class, and bothered with the classes they didn't like, and socialized at parties... not so Albert.

The author covers Einstein's childhood admirably (I especially recommend this book to autistic/aspie children, who may readily see aspects of themselves in his behavior. This does *not* mean I necessarily agree with the hypothesis that Einstein was on the spectrum, just that it may be a useful book for kids on the spectrum), and then rapidly sums up his adult accomplishments without going into too much detail. Quotations from Einstein on himself, or from other people about him, are used to great effect to help make his personality more vivid.

One thing about this book, it's a bit awkward as a readaloud. It's a longer book, for one, and also, it's written in the historical present. Reading about events over 100 years ago in the present tense... well, I suggest if you're going to read this book aloud that you do a quick read-through first to make sure you don't slip-up midsentence. That just sounds awkward.

Please note that this book is definitely not going to teach your children the theory of relativity :) If you want a more science-y book for children, this isn't it.
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LibraryThing member ojodelince
This is a children's book about Einstein's childhood. Asperger's Syndrome is not explicitly mentioned, but his characteristics as described are recognized as Asperger characteristics. This includes negatives (such as social ineptude) and positive (such as his ultimate great intellectual success).
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This book is good choice for any young Aspie. It is a very good choice for any boy or girl that is being harassed for being a geek or a nerd, and is losing self confidence as a result.
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LibraryThing member carpshaw26
The story of Albert Einstein discusses that even from the time he was born he was considered different. I never knew that the back of his head was misshapen. It goes over his life in easy to read way without bogging you down with too many details. The illustrations are funny and well suited to this
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book. I can see this being used in 2-3 grade class maybe even older.
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LibraryThing member connas01
Albert Einstein was born on the 14th of March 1879 and died on the 18th of April 1955. He was born out of a Jewish family, when he was very young he was able to show his great abilities in math and science. He was one of the most famous scientists around building brilliant work on theoretical
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physics that still are being carried on until this very day.
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LibraryThing member michelleraphael
The book outlines Albert Einstein's life in a brief and education story. Also an author's note at the end gives interesting facts. I learn some new information.
LibraryThing member Alexandra1600
Children will enjoy this interesting and authentic look into the life of young Albert Einstein. Children may identify will some of his boyhood trials and discover what Albert accomplished through his life.
LibraryThing member mrcmyoung
Einstein as a child, weird and wonderful and a lesson to students that sometimes the strange and unpopular are often misunderstood or just operating on a completely different plane from everybody else. Einstein excelled at the subjects that interested him and paid little attention to those that
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didn't. This book is just as valuable a read for teachers as it is for students.
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LibraryThing member Kaberasturi
This book illustrates the young life of Albert Einstein. Einstein was an odd child from the size of his head at birth, to the way he got along with others in school, and how he entered into his first university. All these characteristics that made him the "odd boy out" early on in life were all
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part of the making of the genius he later became. The book is appropriate for 2-5th graders. The central issues addressed in this book are identity and history. I would use this book in a classroom as a suggestion for advanced students who may be having self-confidence issue or I would use this book to teach about autobiographical research.
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LibraryThing member jkramer
The Odd Boy Out Young Albert Einstein is a straight forward view of a man’s journey from infancy to adulthood. The discussion of Einstein’s behavior and education was quite remarkable. Einstein demonstrated his mastery in mathematics early on in life. This mastery did not include his temper and
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his sister’s hard head. While the times and fortune did not always smile upon Einstein he became a force to reckon with. Not many people are able to understand his theories or formulas. This book is age appropriate for the third grade. The illustrations lack color but are interesting. The font is standard size. This could be used to introduce / discuss atomic power, speed of light, and other astronomical studies. This book is also inspirational by showing that odd behavior does not defeat success.
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LibraryThing member kclopez
Odd Boy Out, is the story of one of the most famous physicist of the world, Albert Einstein. The story begins with a very young Einstein. Everyone around Albert thought that he was not smart because he was talking when most children began talk. His parents were worried about him, but the doctors
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told him to be patient. Albert was an angry child he was mean to his Maja, but she wasn't his only target. He wasn't always angry thought he did enjoy to task that required him to concentrate on a single thing. Albert and his parent;s soon moved to Munich, where Albert begin school. Albert was always the odd one out amongst the other young boys. Albert didn't care for most subjects in school, but math was his favorite. Math was always on his mind. This is where we see how he becomes the man everyone knows. This a great picture book to have as an option for a child to read for a biography project.
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LibraryThing member Janee23
Don Brown brings a child like essence to Albert Einstein's story. Brown allows Einstein to be seen as a child , and not just an extraordinary scientist. He tells the story of his childhood and how he never fit. Children can relate to this text making it a kid friendly version.
LibraryThing member ashoemak
Young children will enjoy reading about Albert Einstein in this wonderfully illustrated book. This story shows that one doesn't have to be perfect to make a difference in the world.
LibraryThing member Cfmichel
The early story of Albert Einstein as a child. He was, as the title suggests, the odd boy out. He excelled in mathematics at an early age and was misunderstood by other children. I have seen children experience this before, (being an outcast for being studious or incredibly intelligent) and this
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would be an appropriate book for them to read to show them how great they can become is they remain consistent in their amazing abilities. Love this book!
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LibraryThing member matthewbloome
This was a nice book about Einstien's childhood. It was a very fairminded portrayal of his ups and downs. I really liked it, just as I really like most of Don Brown's biographies.
LibraryThing member ronicadibartolo
I think it is funny that the author writes about Einstein's big head! Must be to hold that incredibly big brain. I figured he probably was a "odd ball out," growing up. Most people who are that intelligent do not find other people very interesting, but rather stupid and boring. This book focused on
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Albert Einstein's youth.
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LibraryThing member Jordanlaine
i loved this book! It's a cute picture book that tells about einsteins life. It can be a great book to get students to relate to Einstein, because the fun book starts off with him as a child their age. The book can teach them that they too one day can be the next einstein if they work hard like him.
LibraryThing member sabdelaz
This narrative gives you insight into life of a great physicist, Albert Einstein. Einstein was a very rude boy who hit his sister an makes his tutor ran away for good. He is "taunted" by his schoolmates but does really well in school, especially math. Einstein is very unusually inspiring because
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this boy who you think will be a failure becomes a great man in the history of Great men. A very good, fast read for K-3rd graders. Recommended for all people to read.
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LibraryThing member breksarah
This story documents the early life of Albert Einstein. It tells about how he excelled in mathematics but was often misunderstood by other children. Most of the story discussing his ups and downs as a child, with a brief ending about his achievements as an adult.

This is good book to use for younger
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students, K-3, and how being different isn't always a bad thing. Some of the most famous people in history were seen as different.
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LibraryThing member jpmeehan
A picture book biography chronicling the youth and adult life of Albert Einstein before anyone knew who he was. Written and illustrated by children's author Don Brown, the book will be interesting to children K-4, and especially reassuring to any kid who feels like he or she is a bit of an odd or
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ugly duckling compared to the other kids in their lives.

I admit I was rather annoyed, however, by the author's use of the present tense in relating his story:

“A simple compass, a gift from his father, astonishes Albert. He turns it, tilts it, tips it, and yet the gadget’s needle always points north! What “hidden thing” makes it work? he wonders.”

Maybe it's just me, but I would much prefer that he was "astonished" and "wondered." Some historians have this same quirk, I suppose because they think it makes the story more "alive" or "current" but I just find it distracting.
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LibraryThing member MiguelPut
great biography for young children since it focuses on quriks of his childhood
LibraryThing member cclark37
Summary: "Odd Boy Out" is an introduction to the life of the 20th century physicist, Albert Einstein. The story begins with the birth of young Albert, who is deemed "not well" by his parents due to his inability to coo and bablble before the age of 3. When Albert does begin speaking, however, he is
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quite clever. As Albert grows up, he develops a love for math and music, while ignoring every other subject. Fast forward and Albert curiosity wins him the Nobel Piece prize.

Review: I thought this brief biography about Albert Einstein was a great read! While most biographies will often leave the reader bored, "Odd Boy Out' delivers a great and entertaining read. I especially liked the focus on his childhood and transition to life after becoming a father. Colorful illustrations are drawn on each page, complementing the story well. Any young child will fall in love with this biography about the great 20th century physicist.
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LibraryThing member rjones34
Summary: "Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein" tells the true story of the famous, Albert Einstein and his childhood. The story describes how Einstein was known to be quick-tempered and even cruel to his sister. He was also disinterested in school subjects that were not math or music. He was always
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the odd boy out in school because he did not have much in common with his peers. However, Einstein went to college and grew to become a great thinker.

Review: "Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein" was a well written book that did a good job of keeping the biography aspect but turning it into a interesting story that readers can easily follow along to. Biographies I have read tend to throw numerous facts and sequential events about a person at a reader which makes the book very boring. However, the author made the story easy to follow along and interesting. For example, the book says "His grandmother cries much too fat. Much too fat. And his mother fears is head is too big." Instead of stating the fact that Einstein's family was worried about him when he was born, the author uses dialogue and descriptive language to convey his message. The central message of this story is Albert Einstein was anger boy as a child who did not have much in common with his peers and was disinterested in school, however he went on to become one of the greatest thinkers of all time.
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LibraryThing member egiddi1
I had mixed feelings about this book after reading it. I liked the book because of the illustrations. The illustrations fits the written text and helps the reader, or listeners, follow along with the story. For example when Albert sees the soldiers marching and all the boys are fascinated and he is
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scared, you can see the others up close to the soldiers, but Albert is further away. I didn't like the book because of the writing. There was a lot of writing on some of the pages, which led me to loose interest for awhile. Also, some of the sentences didn't make sense, for example, "I would rather let all kinds of punishment descend upon me than learn to rattle something off by heart." The message of this story is to learn about Albert Einstein and to know that everyone could be successful if they work for it.
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ISBN

0618492984 / 9780618492985

UPC

046442492980
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