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Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It
Winner of the Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe New Talent Award, this acclaimed, multicultural book about a biracial boy with a passion for science will resonate with children everywhere who can’t—or won’t—be defined by categories.
Ten-year-old Brendan Buckley is a self-declared asking questions and looking for answers, but most of all struggling against the overprotective behavior of his parents. Up until now, he has never even met his grandfather—the grandfather his mother won’t even speak of.
A chance encounter brings Brendan and his grandfather together where Brendan initiates a relationship with estranged grandfather, Ed DeBose. While they share a passion for geology, they do not share the color of their skin; Brendan’s skin is brown, not pink like Ed DeBose’s. Pretty soon, Brendan sets out to uncover the reason behind Ed’s absence but soon discovers that family secrets can’t be explained by science.
A winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award, this is a novel about a boy learning about race relations and what it means to be a family.
An NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year
"Frazier writes affectingly about what being biracial means in twenty-first century America." — School Library Journal
"Brendan is an appealing character with a sense of honor. . . . A good, accessible selection to inspire discussion of racism and prejudice." — Kirkus Reviews
"Frazier delivers her messages without using an overly heavy hand. Brendan is a real kid with a passion for science and also a willingness to push his parents' rules." — Booklist
Ten-year-old Brendan Buckley is a self-declared asking questions and looking for answers, but most of all struggling against the overprotective behavior of his parents. Up until now, he has never even met his grandfather—the grandfather his mother won’t even speak of.
A chance encounter brings Brendan and his grandfather together where Brendan initiates a relationship with estranged grandfather, Ed DeBose. While they share a passion for geology, they do not share the color of their skin; Brendan’s skin is brown, not pink like Ed DeBose’s. Pretty soon, Brendan sets out to uncover the reason behind Ed’s absence but soon discovers that family secrets can’t be explained by science.
A winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award, this is a novel about a boy learning about race relations and what it means to be a family.
An NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year
"Frazier writes affectingly about what being biracial means in twenty-first century America." — School Library Journal
"Brendan is an appealing character with a sense of honor. . . . A good, accessible selection to inspire discussion of racism and prejudice." — Kirkus Reviews
"Frazier delivers her messages without using an overly heavy hand. Brendan is a real kid with a passion for science and also a willingness to push his parents' rules." — Booklist
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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499 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
September 9, 2009
I read this book aloud to my eight-year-old daughter before bedtime every night, and we both loved it. It's a great story of a boy struggling to understand Big Questions in his life, ranging from scientific queries to strange family dynamics. In the midst of it he comes face to face with inter-racial struggles within his family (his dad is African-American and his mother is European-American) from a kid's perspective. My daughter and I had a great time talking about these issues, which are relevant in our lives as well.
January 27, 2016
I wish I'd had a book like this growing up! A sweet story of a bi-racial 10 year old who suddenly finds a long lost (formerly racist) relative. A great book club book for young readers! There is very little action, and only mild character development, but I think the author was more concerned with telling Brendan's story.
May 2, 2011
5/2/11 ** This was a Young Hoosier Nominee for 2010-2011; before I returned all the nominees to the library, there were a few I still wanted to read. I think this has to go onto my wishlist of books to own.
I thoroughly enjoyed Brendan's character. His internal dialogue during his quest to understand the world around him keeps the book lighthearted, while also sometimes poignant. Brendan is a self-described scientist - asking questions, looking for answers, and struggling to against the information constraints imposed by his parents. He's also involved with Tae Kwon Do and constantly seeks to apply the precepts of that discipline to his daily life. Finally, he's biracial. Up to this point, his life has been fairly sheltered, and he hasn't had to consider how race shapes who he is. Over the course of the book he has several encounters which bring the question of race into stark relief. Most importantly, he discovers that there is a looming family secret around the question of an absent grandfather.
This book would make a great read-aloud for the brave soul who doesn't mind a science experiment about the size of a 10-year-old boy's bladder (hold it forever and pee into a 2 liter bottle!) This would also be a compelling book for any child who isn't quite sure how he or she fits into categories defined by others.
I thoroughly enjoyed Brendan's character. His internal dialogue during his quest to understand the world around him keeps the book lighthearted, while also sometimes poignant. Brendan is a self-described scientist - asking questions, looking for answers, and struggling to against the information constraints imposed by his parents. He's also involved with Tae Kwon Do and constantly seeks to apply the precepts of that discipline to his daily life. Finally, he's biracial. Up to this point, his life has been fairly sheltered, and he hasn't had to consider how race shapes who he is. Over the course of the book he has several encounters which bring the question of race into stark relief. Most importantly, he discovers that there is a looming family secret around the question of an absent grandfather.
This book would make a great read-aloud for the brave soul who doesn't mind a science experiment about the size of a 10-year-old boy's bladder (hold it forever and pee into a 2 liter bottle!) This would also be a compelling book for any child who isn't quite sure how he or she fits into categories defined by others.
December 2, 2025
Carl picked up this title at his school's Book Nook (twice a month, kids get to go and pick out a book to keep) a while back, and about two months ago he picked it as his bedtime reading book. It was a nice shared reading experience; he only would have me read the book, so we read it every other night. Carl's big into rocks so that was fun to talk about, and I'm glad we could share the serious topics that were in this book together. There as a lot that I liked about it (not an immediate acceptance from Brendan's mom, the reality that Brendan's grandma died without meeting him or being reconciled with her child), and there was a couple that irked me (I firmly believe in the Oxford comma), but it was a really great story to share together. I had to flip to the end to find out what happened because I wasn't going to be able to wait. And then coming here to log it and finding out there's another Brendan book?!
October 10, 2012
This is a nice realistic fiction novel about a mixed race, extremely curious boy. His dad is black and his mom is white. He is somewhat in-between. Brendan is always writing questions in a notebook because he wants to become a scientist. He discovers he has a white grandfather he never knew he had when he runs into him at a rock exhibit. He and his grandfather share many "scientist" characteristics. The big question is why this grandfather has chosen to not to be a part of his life until now, and why his mother won't talk about him at all. The book has a breezy feel to it, accurately representing the day-to-day life of kids, complete with Tae Kwon Do lessons, going with his grandma to get her nails done, and the fun and guilt of flinging a little sister's dolls into a swimming pool with a handmade catapult. It tackles racism well from a kid's point of view, without easy fixes or simple answers. It concentrates on the question of why people--from the kids in the park to his own grandfather--express racism, without any events or descriptions which are too horrific. Best for 4th grade.
April 6, 2008
Brendan is endlessly curious, and he has taken to writing queries (and hopefully their answers) in his Book of Big Questions. However, one thing that he knows not to ask about is his mother’s father, and why he is absent from their lives; one thing that hasn’t occurred to him as a question is how he, the son of a black father and white mother, is seen. During the summer he will turn eleven, a chance encounter with his missing grandfather sends him searching for more answers than will fit in his book. His study of tae kwon do and a love of rock collecting shared with his grandfather provide metaphors for this sweet story about a boy learning about race relations and what it means to be a family.
July 13, 2019
Yes, it still holds up!
Loved the combination of the local setting (Milton, WA is less than an hour north of where I live, depending on traffic), the geology content (SO many specific rocks and minerals named!), Tae Kwon Do, and family conflict. Frazier has a lot of great content on her website, including pictures of her family with great captions, talking about the parallels between this story and her own life.
I read this with my 4th-6th grade book discussion group at the library, and several of the kids said it was their favorite book we read all year. Ended up taking it out to local elementary schools in May/June 2019. Sundee Frazier's one of those authors I could read exhaustively!
Great stuff.
#ownvoices
Loved the combination of the local setting (Milton, WA is less than an hour north of where I live, depending on traffic), the geology content (SO many specific rocks and minerals named!), Tae Kwon Do, and family conflict. Frazier has a lot of great content on her website, including pictures of her family with great captions, talking about the parallels between this story and her own life.
I read this with my 4th-6th grade book discussion group at the library, and several of the kids said it was their favorite book we read all year. Ended up taking it out to local elementary schools in May/June 2019. Sundee Frazier's one of those authors I could read exhaustively!
Great stuff.
#ownvoices
December 20, 2018
My favorite kind of narrator--the intelligent, nice kid who tells it like it is and makes some mistakes (and is all the more likable for them.) Obviously this book is about having a biracial family (white and black here) and you can easily predict both the conflict and the outcome, but the strong narration and interesting cast of characters makes this easy to recommend. Also includes tenets and practice of Tae Kwon Do which are integral to the main character's motivation.
November 23, 2008
This is an upper-elementary/middle school novel. I found it on the Coretta Scott King award page. It's about a ten year old boy who's really into geology and asking lots of questions. He comes from a biracial family. He discovers a grandfather from whom he has been estranged for his entire life. Really great message!
January 5, 2017
The book Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in it is mainly about a boy named Brendan Buckley who loves to collect rocks and is also, smart and adventurous. Throughout his summer, Brendan has to figure out a mystery. Specifically about his family. He needs to figure out what had happened to his grandpa, Ed DeBose. He can’t get any information out of his mother about his grandfather and he needs to know the truth about his absents. So Brendan takes matters into his own hands to solve this family mystery. ‘She just said, ‘Gone,’ and that we’d talk about it when I was older.
I thought that this book was a fantastic book. Just reading the summary for this book gets me pulled in, wanting to read the book. This book was interesting to me because of mainly the plot. I’ve never read a book with a more interesting plot. When the book started to talk about Brendan trying to find Ed DeBose, it just makes me want to read more to find out what happens. And that is what I really like about this book. I could just never put the book down. In my opinion, the main character Brendan was very good. I like him because he wasn’t like any other kid in a book.He thinks of himself as a scientist. And he really likes minerals. And in the book whenever a type of mineral was mentioned, some facts about that mineral are in the book. To me, that was a very good move. ‘And there’d be no question about whether we belong together.’ This found in the book. This shows how determined Brendan is to find his grandfather and figure out why he has never met him. When reading this book, there were many moments of suspense which I also something else I really like this book. At the end of some chapters, there’d be a sentence having to do with Brendan and his grandpa. Whenever that happens I pretty much forced to read the next chapter. My favorite part in this book is when Brendan and his friend Khalfani go out to find Ed DeBose and they finally find him.
This book is very good and has many things that I like about it, but there are some things that could have been improved. The pace of this book is too fast. The most important part of this book Is when-when Brendan finds his grandfather. But that part happens way too early in the book. And then after that, It's mostly Brendan and Ed doing things together and random events. Also, this book seems pretty kid friendly, but in some parts, it starts to talk about black and white people and other things about certain races. If there was one thing I could change about this book is the part where Brendan finds Ed, I would want that to be closer to the end of the book. So when I’m reading the book the suspense builds up a lot so I keep reading the book so I can read that one part the book is about.
Overall, this an amazing book. The plot is well thought out and the characters are also really good. I would recommend this book to kids who are just becoming teenagers. Because there are some topics mentioned in this book that get a little controversial. But in the end, this a great book to read. And I highly recommend people to read it.
I thought that this book was a fantastic book. Just reading the summary for this book gets me pulled in, wanting to read the book. This book was interesting to me because of mainly the plot. I’ve never read a book with a more interesting plot. When the book started to talk about Brendan trying to find Ed DeBose, it just makes me want to read more to find out what happens. And that is what I really like about this book. I could just never put the book down. In my opinion, the main character Brendan was very good. I like him because he wasn’t like any other kid in a book.He thinks of himself as a scientist. And he really likes minerals. And in the book whenever a type of mineral was mentioned, some facts about that mineral are in the book. To me, that was a very good move. ‘And there’d be no question about whether we belong together.’ This found in the book. This shows how determined Brendan is to find his grandfather and figure out why he has never met him. When reading this book, there were many moments of suspense which I also something else I really like this book. At the end of some chapters, there’d be a sentence having to do with Brendan and his grandpa. Whenever that happens I pretty much forced to read the next chapter. My favorite part in this book is when Brendan and his friend Khalfani go out to find Ed DeBose and they finally find him.
This book is very good and has many things that I like about it, but there are some things that could have been improved. The pace of this book is too fast. The most important part of this book Is when-when Brendan finds his grandfather. But that part happens way too early in the book. And then after that, It's mostly Brendan and Ed doing things together and random events. Also, this book seems pretty kid friendly, but in some parts, it starts to talk about black and white people and other things about certain races. If there was one thing I could change about this book is the part where Brendan finds Ed, I would want that to be closer to the end of the book. So when I’m reading the book the suspense builds up a lot so I keep reading the book so I can read that one part the book is about.
Overall, this an amazing book. The plot is well thought out and the characters are also really good. I would recommend this book to kids who are just becoming teenagers. Because there are some topics mentioned in this book that get a little controversial. But in the end, this a great book to read. And I highly recommend people to read it.
March 21, 2012
Summary:
Mixed-race Brendan Buckley is fascinated by science, and he likes to find the answers to questions that he poses in his notebook. Brendan finds that life isn’t always easily explained, however, after he meets his grandfather for the first time at a rock club meeting. Brendan’s white grandfather has been estranged from Brendan’s mother since her marriage to an African American. Despite Brendan’s mixed parentage, he bonds with his grandfather through their shared interest in rock collecting, and they continue to meet secretly until Brendan’s mother finds out. It takes time and a serious accident for Brendan’s grandfather to come to his senses and reunite with his family. By frequently lightening her tone, Frazier delivers her messages without using an overly heavy hand. Brendan is a real kid with a passion for science and also a willingness to push his parents’ rules; he’s not just a placard for the author’s central message. (Booklist)
My Comments:
This is a very nicely written book about a biracial boy. There were many things I liked about it. First, Brendan is smart and into rock collecting. This in itself is interesting. You learn a lot about rocks. The second thing is that this book confronts racial prejudice in a simple, direct way. Brendan has never seen his “white” grandfather because his grandfather did not approve of his daughter’s interracial marriage. He flat out asks his grandfather, “Are you glad” that I’m your grandson? Brendon has a journal in which he wonders why blacks and whites don’t get along. One thing I didn’t like was grandpa teaching Brendon to drive. This comes in handy at the end of the book, but don’t know if I approve – he’s too young, (10) plus it’s illegal without a permit. In the back of the book there are Brendon’s lists of More Things About Rocks and Minerals and also Tae Kwon Do. This is a well written book, if a little stuffy. For grades 3-5
Mixed-race Brendan Buckley is fascinated by science, and he likes to find the answers to questions that he poses in his notebook. Brendan finds that life isn’t always easily explained, however, after he meets his grandfather for the first time at a rock club meeting. Brendan’s white grandfather has been estranged from Brendan’s mother since her marriage to an African American. Despite Brendan’s mixed parentage, he bonds with his grandfather through their shared interest in rock collecting, and they continue to meet secretly until Brendan’s mother finds out. It takes time and a serious accident for Brendan’s grandfather to come to his senses and reunite with his family. By frequently lightening her tone, Frazier delivers her messages without using an overly heavy hand. Brendan is a real kid with a passion for science and also a willingness to push his parents’ rules; he’s not just a placard for the author’s central message. (Booklist)
My Comments:
This is a very nicely written book about a biracial boy. There were many things I liked about it. First, Brendan is smart and into rock collecting. This in itself is interesting. You learn a lot about rocks. The second thing is that this book confronts racial prejudice in a simple, direct way. Brendan has never seen his “white” grandfather because his grandfather did not approve of his daughter’s interracial marriage. He flat out asks his grandfather, “Are you glad” that I’m your grandson? Brendon has a journal in which he wonders why blacks and whites don’t get along. One thing I didn’t like was grandpa teaching Brendon to drive. This comes in handy at the end of the book, but don’t know if I approve – he’s too young, (10) plus it’s illegal without a permit. In the back of the book there are Brendon’s lists of More Things About Rocks and Minerals and also Tae Kwon Do. This is a well written book, if a little stuffy. For grades 3-5
January 3, 2012
Brendan Buckley is a geologist in the making...he loves rocks, minerals, and the earth. Little does he know, however, that part of his love for the science comes from his grandpa, Ed (his mom's dad). Brendan has never met Ed and doesn't know anything about him. When Grandma Gladys (his dad's mom) takes him to the mall one summer day, he finds a rock exhibit and talks to the man at the counter. Instantly, they both know they have a passion and fascination with minerals. But, when Gladys sees who Brendan is talking to, she rushes him out of the mall. Brendan is confused. Luckily, Brendan has a pamphlet from the exhibit with the man's name on it. Wait a minute! That is his mom's maiden name!
Brendan tracks the man down and finds out that, indeed, Ed DeBose, is his grandfather, his white grandfather. Brendan's dad is black, his mom is white. Brendan's grandpa Ed disowned his mom when she married his dad. He is confused and doesn't understand why. The two meet secretly and find their shared interest is worth building a relationship on. That is until his mom finds out and everything is ruined. Will Brendan find a way to bring his mom and grandpa together again? Can past wrongs be righted?
Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in it portrays prejudice as it rightly is...ugly. But when that prejudice is aimed at a blood relative is becomes more than ugly, it becomes unconscionable. This book wraps up a little too neatly, but nonetheless, gives some food for thought for a young reader
.
Brendan tracks the man down and finds out that, indeed, Ed DeBose, is his grandfather, his white grandfather. Brendan's dad is black, his mom is white. Brendan's grandpa Ed disowned his mom when she married his dad. He is confused and doesn't understand why. The two meet secretly and find their shared interest is worth building a relationship on. That is until his mom finds out and everything is ruined. Will Brendan find a way to bring his mom and grandpa together again? Can past wrongs be righted?
Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in it portrays prejudice as it rightly is...ugly. But when that prejudice is aimed at a blood relative is becomes more than ugly, it becomes unconscionable. This book wraps up a little too neatly, but nonetheless, gives some food for thought for a young reader
.
August 18, 2008
This was much more moving and involving than I thought it would be. 10-year-old Brendan's mom is white and his dad is black - while he has gotten to know the black side of his family, his mother has always remained silent about his white grandparents. Brendan, a budding scientist and rock hound, meets his white grandpa, Ed DeBose, by accident at the mall during an exhibition of rocks and minerals (Ed is president of a local club devoted to rock hounds and collectors), and from then on he seeks Ed's company as often as possible - not only because of their common interest in minerals, but because Brendan wants to find answers to his many questions, foremost being why Ed and his mom have not had contact in 10 years.
The answers are painful, of course, and even Brendan's brimming optimism flags a bit. However, he doggedly pursues both the truth and what he feels the correct outcome of the situation should be, and - in a happy ending that is emotional but not too sentimental (thanks to the cantankerous Grandma Gladys) - he achieves his goals. Most characters are realistic, if a bit sketchy (Brendan, Gladys, and Ed being the most richly drawn) - and Brendan himself is one of those articulate and lovable kids who is able to engage and focus from an early age. They exist - he reminds me of an intensely smart and sweet boy who lives down the street from me. And the questions raised about race and motivations are important but not worked to death.
Great for ages 8 to 11.
The answers are painful, of course, and even Brendan's brimming optimism flags a bit. However, he doggedly pursues both the truth and what he feels the correct outcome of the situation should be, and - in a happy ending that is emotional but not too sentimental (thanks to the cantankerous Grandma Gladys) - he achieves his goals. Most characters are realistic, if a bit sketchy (Brendan, Gladys, and Ed being the most richly drawn) - and Brendan himself is one of those articulate and lovable kids who is able to engage and focus from an early age. They exist - he reminds me of an intensely smart and sweet boy who lives down the street from me. And the questions raised about race and motivations are important but not worked to death.
Great for ages 8 to 11.
August 9, 2016
Originally rated G+ by Jane McKee
With a growing number of biracial students in our schools, it's great to have a biracial main character. It is also refreshing because Brendan does not use race to define himself. He feels that his interests in science and Tae Kwan Do are more important. The book is written in the first person, as told by 10 year old Brendan. The writing is very true to this voice - it really feels like listening to a ten year old: mature enough to ask some difficult questions, but young enough to face these questions without cynicism. Brendan is faced with racism in his own family - a grandfather who disowned his family because of an interracial marriage. This book concedes that there are no easy answers, but faces the issues in a very straightforward manner.
I also liked the appendices where Brendan further explains minerals and Tae Kwan Do.
If I were reading this outloud, it might be a bit embarassing to read the part where Brendan and his best friend pee in pop bottles as an experiment to see who's bladder is bigger. However, I would definitely recommend buying this book. It is much needed.
Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2007)
"Brendan is an appealing character with a sense of honor...A good, accessible selection to inspire discussion of racism and prejudice."
With a growing number of biracial students in our schools, it's great to have a biracial main character. It is also refreshing because Brendan does not use race to define himself. He feels that his interests in science and Tae Kwan Do are more important. The book is written in the first person, as told by 10 year old Brendan. The writing is very true to this voice - it really feels like listening to a ten year old: mature enough to ask some difficult questions, but young enough to face these questions without cynicism. Brendan is faced with racism in his own family - a grandfather who disowned his family because of an interracial marriage. This book concedes that there are no easy answers, but faces the issues in a very straightforward manner.
I also liked the appendices where Brendan further explains minerals and Tae Kwan Do.
If I were reading this outloud, it might be a bit embarassing to read the part where Brendan and his best friend pee in pop bottles as an experiment to see who's bladder is bigger. However, I would definitely recommend buying this book. It is much needed.
Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2007)
"Brendan is an appealing character with a sense of honor...A good, accessible selection to inspire discussion of racism and prejudice."
January 31, 2018
Self proclaimed scientist ten-year-old Brendan Buckley meets his paternal grandpa and together they answer some of life's biggest questions.
Review
Ages 8-12-- Ten -year-old biracial Brendan Buckley considers himself a scientist. As such, he asks a lot of questions. “Because a far as I’m concerned, no question is unimportant, and nothing in the universe is too small to ask about.” Discovering his maternal grandfather (whom he has never met) is living nearby, Brendan walks a thin line between right and wrong in order to meet his Grandpa Ed to study their mutual interest: rocks and minerals. This dynamic allows for family history to be divulged, and self discovery and healing to begin. Frazier relates the diversity of rocks and minerals to the diversity of people, making for a tangible comparison about heavy subject matter. “Rocks, as with most other things in nature, are seldom exactly one thing or the other...granite and basalt in varying amounts make up a group of other rocks with in between colors...” By integrating the experience of being raised as a biracial son of a white mother and black father with both negative and positive character interactions, Frazier offers not only an appropriate STEM book for pre-teens, but also opens a dialogue about race and contemporary American society. -Jenny Mount
Review
Ages 8-12-- Ten -year-old biracial Brendan Buckley considers himself a scientist. As such, he asks a lot of questions. “Because a far as I’m concerned, no question is unimportant, and nothing in the universe is too small to ask about.” Discovering his maternal grandfather (whom he has never met) is living nearby, Brendan walks a thin line between right and wrong in order to meet his Grandpa Ed to study their mutual interest: rocks and minerals. This dynamic allows for family history to be divulged, and self discovery and healing to begin. Frazier relates the diversity of rocks and minerals to the diversity of people, making for a tangible comparison about heavy subject matter. “Rocks, as with most other things in nature, are seldom exactly one thing or the other...granite and basalt in varying amounts make up a group of other rocks with in between colors...” By integrating the experience of being raised as a biracial son of a white mother and black father with both negative and positive character interactions, Frazier offers not only an appropriate STEM book for pre-teens, but also opens a dialogue about race and contemporary American society. -Jenny Mount
November 10, 2012
Reviewed by Dianna Geers for TeensReadToo.com
Brendan Buckley is into Tae Kwon Do and studying rocks. He would love to be a scientist and faithfully keeps a notebook with important questions and findings. During the summer, Brendan plans on becoming a rock collector. And he is trying to adjust to losing his best fishing buddy, Grandpa Clem.
When looking at a mineral and gemstone exhibit, he meets a man who has awesome rocks and who knows a TON about rocks and minerals. His Grandma Gladys sees the man and yanks Brendan away. Well, what are the odds of this? That man was actually his other grandpa. A man he had never met. And is told to never see again.
Although Brendan doesn't really want to disobey his parents, he wants to know this mystery man. Maybe he could help fill the void left by Grandpa Clem's death. Maybe this other grandpa could teach him about rocks. Maybe he could get to know him and find out why his mom has nothing to do with him.
As Brendan sets out to get to know this man, he has no idea what kind of trouble he may be stirring up.
Sundee T. Frazier has created a likable young boy with unique interests and love for his family. Readers will enjoy his adventures and see past generations with new awareness.
Brendan Buckley is into Tae Kwon Do and studying rocks. He would love to be a scientist and faithfully keeps a notebook with important questions and findings. During the summer, Brendan plans on becoming a rock collector. And he is trying to adjust to losing his best fishing buddy, Grandpa Clem.
When looking at a mineral and gemstone exhibit, he meets a man who has awesome rocks and who knows a TON about rocks and minerals. His Grandma Gladys sees the man and yanks Brendan away. Well, what are the odds of this? That man was actually his other grandpa. A man he had never met. And is told to never see again.
Although Brendan doesn't really want to disobey his parents, he wants to know this mystery man. Maybe he could help fill the void left by Grandpa Clem's death. Maybe this other grandpa could teach him about rocks. Maybe he could get to know him and find out why his mom has nothing to do with him.
As Brendan sets out to get to know this man, he has no idea what kind of trouble he may be stirring up.
Sundee T. Frazier has created a likable young boy with unique interests and love for his family. Readers will enjoy his adventures and see past generations with new awareness.
October 13, 2011
Brendan Buckley is a ten year old boy interested in rocks and Tae Kwon Do. He keeps a journal called Brendan Buckley’s Book of Big Questions About Life, the Universe and Everthing In It. Lately he’s had plenty of questions for that journal. While at the mall looking at a rock collection, his grandmother vigorously drags him away from an old man. Brendan realizes that the man is his estranged granfather of whom no one in his family speaks well. Using his curious and scientific mind, Brendan questions his mother and other family members in an attempt to figure out what happened between his grandfather and the rest of the family. He soon discovers that it might have something to do with his racially mixed family.
I found this book pretty slow going. I just didn’t feel any real energy to the book, any real crisis that moved the plot along. I would, however, recomend it to readers who are looking for a book involving rock collecting or Tae Kwon Do. Ages 9-11 Corretta Scott King New Talent Author Award Winner 2007
I found this book pretty slow going. I just didn’t feel any real energy to the book, any real crisis that moved the plot along. I would, however, recomend it to readers who are looking for a book involving rock collecting or Tae Kwon Do. Ages 9-11 Corretta Scott King New Talent Author Award Winner 2007
February 4, 2016
Brendan's boyish earnestness is charming; he's a good kid you'd want to get to know. His desire to understand his identity and family dynamics will be familiar to many multiracial kids. Booktalk: Brendan Buckley loves making scientific discoveries. He has a notebook where he writes down questions he wonders about like “Do centipedes really have 100 legs?†and “Do boys fart more than girls?†Then he works to discover the answers. Brendan also loves collecting rocks and discovering new things about them. That’s why he decided to join a rock-collecting club and that’s where he made his biggest discovery of all: the older white man who is president of the club turns out to be his grandfather. Brendan has never met his mother’s father before. And she refuses to talk about him. Brendan doesn’t know why; his grandfather seems like a nice man. Without telling his parents, Brendan secretly visits his grandfather and goes rock-collecting with him. But there are some discoveries that science can’t explain and soon Brendan wishes he’d never met his grandfather at all.
September 22, 2009
There is much to like here:
~ It's refreshing to have a protagonist who is an average kid who just happens to like all-things-scientific. His "Big Book of Questions" is a great idea for classrooms and all science-minded readers.
~ Brendan's family is well-adjusted and loving, and they teach him to be honest and responsible. (I enjoyed the moments when Gladys was on the scene and those times Brendan would remember his Grandpa Clem.)
~ When Brendan refused his purple belt because he "had not been noble", I was impressed. Not a lot of young people today would have made that choice, and I love the example Ms. Frazier is giving us in Brendan.
~ Also admirable is Frazier's metaphor of rock formation for race and heritage, and how she doesn't "preach" that message to the reader, they understand it gradually along with Brendan as he comes to understand.
Overall, a terrific book for upper-elementary kids, especially that sometimes hard-to-reach audience of boys.
~ It's refreshing to have a protagonist who is an average kid who just happens to like all-things-scientific. His "Big Book of Questions" is a great idea for classrooms and all science-minded readers.
~ Brendan's family is well-adjusted and loving, and they teach him to be honest and responsible. (I enjoyed the moments when Gladys was on the scene and those times Brendan would remember his Grandpa Clem.)
~ When Brendan refused his purple belt because he "had not been noble", I was impressed. Not a lot of young people today would have made that choice, and I love the example Ms. Frazier is giving us in Brendan.
~ Also admirable is Frazier's metaphor of rock formation for race and heritage, and how she doesn't "preach" that message to the reader, they understand it gradually along with Brendan as he comes to understand.
Overall, a terrific book for upper-elementary kids, especially that sometimes hard-to-reach audience of boys.
July 6, 2014
Ten year old Brendan is the believable protagonist in Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It. Chock full of realistic dialogue and thoughtful reflections on topics including race relations and integrity, Brendan has enough areas of connection that most middle age (10-13ish) readers will be able to engage and enjoy the story. Interested in taekwondo, science and becoming a rock hound, Brendan is curious and articulate as he gathers information in his journal about the mysteries in his life, including why he has never met his local grandfather. As he he develops a secretive relationship with his estranged grandfather, Brendan considers the tenets of taekwondo which guide him in living a life of integrity, courage and strength. The story deftly addresses the ways secrets spin in families and the complicated ways that families come apart and reconnect, all providing great opportunities for reflection and discussion.
July 10, 2008
Brendan, according to his gram is "chocolate milk"---chocolate from his dad and milk from his mom. He's a good kid with a good stable family. One day when he's walking around the mall with his gram he sees this old man at a table full of rocks. He strikes up a conversation but when his gram happens up on them she goes bezerk. Turns out the old man is his grandfather, his mom's father, who he's never met. His other grandpa recently passed away and so Bren is determined to learn more about his grandpa and to find out why they've never met.
Strong writing. Nice amount of allusions to things like the internet and video games---makes the setting and story more real, but not over the top. Just part of the story.
The only thing I didn't love was the ending. A little bit too After School Special-ish for my tastes, but those were my tastes as an 11 year old, so there ya go.
Strong writing. Nice amount of allusions to things like the internet and video games---makes the setting and story more real, but not over the top. Just part of the story.
The only thing I didn't love was the ending. A little bit too After School Special-ish for my tastes, but those were my tastes as an 11 year old, so there ya go.
July 22, 2009
Great book, great topics. We have many biracial children in our school, and we need more books with characters like Brendan. Lots of discussion topics on racism, biracial families, science, rock collecting, Tae Kwon Do, integrity, honesty, bullying, and family relationships. Brendan's scientific mind is evident throughout the story, especially when he and his friend Khalfani try to see who has the larger bladder. (Yes, guzzling water then waiting to pee into a 2-later bottle.) I almost lost it when Brendan's mom arrives home with groceries to carry in, just as the boys need to, ahem, "go."
Also, Brendan kept a Book of Big Questions. What a great idea for the classroom or library! When students ask those stunning questions, for which there is no obvious answer, WRITE IT DOWN in the BoBQ. Use the book for research topics and discussions at a later time.
Also, Brendan kept a Book of Big Questions. What a great idea for the classroom or library! When students ask those stunning questions, for which there is no obvious answer, WRITE IT DOWN in the BoBQ. Use the book for research topics and discussions at a later time.
Read
October 13, 2009Throughout this book you will discover a boy named Brendan Buckley, who loves science. He has a confidential notebook for his top secret scientific discoveries. He finds out a top-secret: that he has a never met Grandpa. Soon a new experience comes along. A Grandpa he has met tells him that even though he doesn’t really know him he still wants him to treat him like he treats his other Grandpa. I recommend this book to the best book I’ve read so far. It taught me that there can be people that are in your family that you really don’t know but learn to like them. To me this book is good for kids and adults. I can personally say that I think I’m a little like Brendan because I love science as well. I had a spectacular reaction when I read this that I think it was good that he found his Grandpa.
- Erika, 6th grade
- Erika, 6th grade
August 29, 2011
I listened to this middle-grade story about Brendan Buckley, a biracial 10-year-old science enthusiast and purple belt in Tae Kwon Do. Brendan tries to figure out why his grandfather, Ed DeBose, is estranged from the family. His mother has never allowed them to see each other. Through a chance meeting, Brendan discovers that Ed is a rock and mineral collector just like him. They begin a relationship sharing facts about geology until his mother finds out, and she is angry! We find out the reason behind their strained relationship and Brendan just doesn't understand. They finally forgive each other. There are interesting analogies between geology and life, and discussions about Tae Kwon Do and integrity. At the end, Brendan shares facts about both his interests - rocks and Tae Kwon Do.
April 7, 2012
My other challenge will be books that hit you over the head with their "message." Even if it is a good one, I prefer it to happen naturally in the course of a book not smack me in the face. Yes, Brendan has one white parent and one black one but he is a curious little boy and it shouldn't matter. Sadly, in America, it still seems to matter if one considers the events in the news lately. For Brendan he comes to know a grandpa that rejected the idea of his daughter marrying a black man and who wanted nothing to do with her child. Grandpa meets Brendan by chance and then gets to know him through a shared love of geology. Sadly, not all stories are going to turn out so happy but I'm glad this one did. There's even some bullying in here that could get kids talking about hate.
January 16, 2010
Brendan is a 10 1/2 year old who is fascinated by the universe and everything in it and loves asking questions in a notebook and using science to figure out the answer, like "what is dust?", "how do they get the ripple in fudge ripple ice cream?" and "What am I? Black? Biracial? Am I white, too?" When Brendan discovers that grandpa is alive and lives close by, he wonders why they've never met. The story is compelling (a boy's connection to a grandpa admist the context of racial identity formation), but what I love is how true to life the character feels. And I'm so excited I'm going to meet the author since she's coming to our conference!! :)
April 10, 2012
2012 Bluestem nominee (Illinois state reading list for grades 3-5) Excellent book, winner of a Coretta Scott King Award. Brendan, a child with black father and white mother, accidentally meets estranged white grandfather and pursues a relationship with him. Brendan has a passionate interest in science, particularly geology, which also happens to be the grandfather's passion. The main theme of the book is why so many white people hate black people without cause but also has a lot of introspection regarding being biracial. I would recommend this book to anyone. Very good book. Late 4th grade and up./mn
February 7, 2012
Brendan Bucley is the son of a white mother and black father, and for the most part, his bi-racial make-up isn't an issue. But when Brendan pursues his intersest in rocks and minerals, he encounters a fellow rock-hound who has more of a connection to Brendan's life than at first appears. A thoughtful look at race and family for younger students, but this wasn't my favorite book when I read it, and I'm not sure how much students will connect to the story. Suffers in comparison to "Stanford Wong" and "Kimchee and Calamari" - two books about similar aged boys with similar identity issues. Suitable for 4-6 grades.
November 7, 2012
My daughter and I were excited to read this book after reading the blurb on the back of the book. A rock hound. A MIA grandpa. Very quickly we were disappointed in this story. My daughter felt the story was slow. I felt that not only was there not enough about the mystery of Bredan's grandpa, but the content about race was too in your face and almost unnecessary. A great story could have been had without the incident in the park, without the questions on why some white people do not like black people, or some of Glady's comments. We would not have finished this book if it was not a Bluestem book nominee (Illinois book award).
March 11, 2008
Brendan is a great, almost eleven year old boy! He is curious about rocks, life, and like the title says, everything in it. He is missing his recently passed Grandpa Clem this summer, trying to fill his time with Tae Kwan Do and friend Khalfani. At the mall with Grandma Gladys, Brendan stumbles onto a rock show and a family mystery. The nice man that tells him about calcite is his other, unknown grandpa, Ed. As the summer moves on, Brendan learns about race, family divisions and forgiveness.
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