Simon Bloom, The Gravity Keeper by Michael Reisman

The formula is familiar: 3 tweens fight the bad guys on their own. The adults tend to be absent or unhelpful.

The protagonist, Simon, comes into possession of a Teacher’s Edition of a Physics textbook. It’s not special simply because it has all the answers. It’s special because it contains the formulas that actually govern the laws of Physics. This enables the Keeper of the book to manipulate the laws… at least to the best of his/her ability.

Turns out in this story that humans have a more incomplete knowledge of the universe than they have thus imagined. The Keepers of the various formulas and books of biology, chemistry, astronomy, and so on, hold the real knowledge and also control of the laws that govern the entire universe. They have organized into Orders which meet like unions and watch over their particular branch of science.

The book only fell into Simon’s hands because a bad guy (in this case, a woman named Sirabetta), is after the knowledge of the Keepers and out to control the power of the books. Simon and 2 of his friends are forced to take up the battle and stop her.

This book could help you teach some lessons on cultural creep… That is, if you’re willing to encounter the term “butt” as casually and flippantly as the pop culture.

It’s style is billed as fast-paced. I thought of it as more for readers who have short attention spans.

Safety concerns: the author writes: “It was Sunday. Some religions view Sunday as a holy day.” Polite and true, yet it does assume that Sunday as a holy day is simply a valid option: relativism. There is reference to “evolution in reverse” in a context that suggests "evolution" is a simple law comparable to the law of gravity or thermodynamics. So, science is a fun background here, but don't expect depth.

Last… the reason that Sirabetta battles Simon for control of the Book of Physics is because she has been divorced and seeks revenge. I can't help but balk at a matter-of-fact motive of petty divorce- vengeance as an adult motive. In a vulnerable generation that has already suffered an unprecedented number of divorces, adults seeking spousal retribution seems a grave topic to me. Handle with care...

SAFETY RATING: 2 Flags

Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Sabbath: 347