How to Win a Nobel Prize: Shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize

by Barry Marshall, Bernard Caleo (Illustrator)

A time-travelling adventure with interactive experiments for budding young scientists, by Nobel Prize winning Barry Marshall


Mary has always wanted to win a Nobel Prize and loves running her own science experiments at home.

One day Mary stumbles on a secret meeting of Nobel Prize winners. Dr Barry Marshall agrees to travel with her through time to learn the secrets behind some of the most fascinating and important scientific discoveries. They talk time and space with Albert Einstein, radiation with Marie Curie, DNA with Crick, Watson and Wilkins – and much more.

Filled with experiments to try at home and featuring famous Nobel prize-winners:

Albert Einstein • Marie Curie • Guglielmo Marconi Francis Crick, James Watson and Maurice Wilkins • Alexander Fleming • Tu Youyou • Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar • Gertrude Elion • Norman Borlaug • Rita Levi-Montalcini • Jean-Pierre Sauvage, J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard Feringa • Barry Marshall and Robin Warren

Genres: Childrens, Science, Nonfiction

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2019

About the author

Barry Marshall won the 2005 Nobel Prize for Medicine, with Robin Warren, for discovering that stomach ulcers can be caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics. He experimented on himself to prove their theory.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much a story, but a history of science with a narrative coating. But that sounds boring, and it's totally not! It's a fun and quick read. I loved so many details, like the character of Rosalind Franklin, actively overlooked for her contributions towards figuring out DNA, and the spotlight on Tu Youyou.

Best were the experiments outlined at the end of each chapter... very doable, and probably apt for science fairs too. "Spoiling fast food" looks particularly fun, as different restaurants use different preservation strategies. "Mold loves to eat sugar. How much sugar was in the food? Salt stops mold from growing. How salty was the food?"

Absolutely recommended for STEM, for homeschooling families, and for curious children who want to know more about how the world works.

[Lensey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fantastic for young readers who are eager learners, especially those interested in science! It follows a young girl named Mary who meets Nobel Prize winners throughout history. Not only will you learn about these brilliant minds and how they helped humanity, but you’ll also learn some really cool experiments that you can try at home. I can’t wait for my daughter to read this when she’s old enough to understand it (probably 2-3 years from now). I will be recommending this book more often now!!!

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book for 10-12 year olds. The protagonist, Mary accompanies Barry Marshall back in time and visits a range of Nobel prize winners. Each chapter is a different prize winner, and has instructions on how to replicate their discovery using basic kitchen materials. A great combination of science and literature.

[Janet Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot wait for my 10 yr old daughter to read this book. Full of information and a fun and inspiring delivery.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every home library that includes children needs this book. This is a narrative and a biography in one. Written by a Nobel Prize winner himself, Barry Marshall highlights 12+ remarkable humans that have dedicated their lives to improving the human condition. Science experiments following each chapter and fascinating facts from each winners life. Truly made me want to learn more and also wonder, how have I not heard about these people before? We need to celebrate them!

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary is an aspiring scientist who dreams of one day winning the Nobel Prize for something that she contributes to the world of science. As the tale begins, she is waiting to meet a real Nobel winner named Barry Marshall, but he is late, so she starts to snoop around. Somehow she stumbles into a room full of winners from across and space and time, and Mary bargains with the group to see their moments in history and gather advice from each member. What follows is a series of short, informative chapters which introduce discoveries and Nobel Prize winners familiar (Einstein, Curie, Fleming) with many unfamiliar voices. In fact, the travels wonderfully highlight the diversity and varied backgrounds and countries that the selected winners represent, including commentary about equal rights for women in their fields. The book also does a great job of taking concepts that are complex and explaining them into an understandable scientific terms. To assist, there is an activity associated with each chapter which allow for the readers to experiment, observe, and try it yourself. Extra notes and illustrations accompany each chapter and keep the tone and information appropriate for readers looking for an introduction to this unique world of world-changers!

THOUGHTS: As the author is himself a Nobel Prize winner and main character in the story, there is a sense of both relatability and authority to the nonfiction story. Though some subplots and patterns are inconsistent during the story, it is a fine example of how to merge fiction (science fiction time travel) in with nonfiction and biography. It could compare well with the Kid Series (Kid Athletes, Kid Scientists) by Quirk Books.

Biography Dustin Brackbill State College Area School District

[Rebecca Fung · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was debating whether to give this a two or a three-star rating. To be honest I was expecting a little more.

This is a nice intro to the Nobel prize and on the plus side, it's a great idea to give children an intro to the Nobel Prize and an introduction to science. There was a good mix of scientists and scientific achievements selected in a short book, and the idea of adding in some experiments as well was good. I also liked the addition of some fun facts about the Nobel/Science, for instance about joint winners, the first woman or Chinese winner, patents, the Peace prize, and so on.

So what parts did I find lacking? Overall I didn't find the narrative as engaging and as smooth as I think it could be and this IS a book review, not a concept-of-a-book review. When I began the book I felt the whole idea of Mary being rocketed into the meeting of the Nobel winners was very sudden and weird and Mary as a character didn't feel like someone I engaged with well (yes, she just felt like an instrument, not someone I went on an adventure with and really felt for).

Mary's adventures weren't that interesting. As she went from place to place, mainly people appeared and just "told her stuff" then disappeared. I was expecting she'd experience something along with them or view some more pivotal moments, get involved with the action, maybe something would happen that would up the stakes a bit ... I just didn't get any feeling of engagement and meaningfulness from her encounters.

I have read children's versions of scientists before that do have a stronger emotional impact/tell more of the adventure of being a scientist in a short, simplified manner so I don't think it's impossible.

However, nice idea for a book and the ending wasn't bad.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to science, written by an actual Nobel Prize winner. Barry takes Mary, a ten year old scientist, on a meet and greet with some of the past winners so she can see what makes them tick. Each chapter is a different winner and there are mini biographies and home experiments included. This book will get children experimenting on their own...so parents beware!


I received a proof in exchange for an honest review.


"They are all amazed that I am so old. They have come to look at the hundred-year-old woman. But I don't feel old. I am not my body, I am my mind, and it is even better now than when I was twenty."

Rita put her glad down and looked fiercely at Mary.

"I hear you want to make your own discoveries. You must learn to be fearless. Don't be afraid to make your own decisions about your future. Don't fear difficult times. They will happen to you, like they do to all of us. The best come from them. I have never had any regrets." She stood and stretched, surveying the party. "Now, I must join my friends. There's is no time to waste, although I still have a few years left in me." Rita winked at Mary again, picked up her drink and walked away. Within seconds the crowd had swallowed her up.

"Wow," said Mary. "She's kind of amazing, isn't she?"

"One of a kind," agreed Barry.

[Smitchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for kids 8-12 who are interested in science. Young Mary is obsessed with winning a Nobel Prize -when she has the chance to question an actual winner he takes her to meet several more and with each story she realises that winning a Nobel is not an easy thing at all.
For some the Prize came early in their career, for others is was decades after their research was published. Some winners got the prize in a category they didn't expect, like agronomist Norman Borlaug whose new strains of wheat have fed millions, leading him to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970.
Mary meets famous names like Albert Einstein and Marie Curie, and many that most non-scientists wouldn't know like Barry Marshall, Subramanyan Chandrasekhar and Tu Youyou.
Each chapter focuses on one winner (and their co-winners if there are any) and is accompanied by an at home experiment that relates to the topic. Like building a Morse code machine and sending a message or creating invisible ink - great fun with minimal adult supervision required.
This would be an excellent book for both boys and girls who are curious how the world works and want to know more. It would also be a good book for middle to upper primary school teachers who want to make science fun and interesting for everyone.

[Laura Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cool way to tell about some noteworthy Nobel prize winners. Mary is a young girl who dreams of winning a Nobel prize, and accidentally stumbles into a meeting of past Nobel prize winners. One of them agrees to use a time machine to take Mary to visit each of these past winners so they can tell her about what they won for and give her some advice. The stories of each winner were interesting, and I liked the experiments at the end of each chapter!

[Marlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this morning. I read over June to now 2023. I borrowed a library book.
It is a very great book. Seeing the world's most significant scientific discoveries and different stories of women and men who won the Nobel Prize is inspiring. She is an excellent writer. Barry and Lorna, good storied telling. The illustrations are enjoyable. Thanks, and a lovely book to read it. Next book to read.

[Pardis TD · Rating 5 out of 5]

The patience this man had... but I love how he had a few good key contacts on his side. Inspirational, nonetheless. Mary incorporates what the ideal character would be like, i.e. someone both socially aware as well as talented in her/his craft (scientific in this case), which sometimes are traits enclosed in an individual, other times are obtained through collaborative effort, an example is the Pierre and Marie Curie, case. Pierre was extremely social.

[Sharlene Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about an awesome platform for inspiring curiosity and engaging future generations of amazing minds. Such a great book that not only gives a solid factual base but a narrative and space for readers to engage with the ideas being explored. Love it.

[Raemon Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book signed for free by the author himself and I think it's great for introducing children to science. I think it has a lot of good morals as well, like don't pursue something for the awards but to help humanity.

[Katg · Rating 4 out of 5]

JFIC lots of experiments great stem

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is a great book! It taught me so much and I also have some experiments to do!

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no interest in science (it's actually my second least favorite subject) but it's a good book to give to those who like science

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute and fun way to learn about science and scientific discoveries that have shaped our world. Loved it!

[Erica Wring · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only regret is that this book wasn’t longer! It was very interesting, and my kids are excited to try the science experiments.

[Thong May Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the sassy Rosalind Franklin lol

[Katilipops · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for the 8-12 set, especially the science minded. Each chapter visits a Nobel prize Winner in history and has a piece of advice for success, points out something that made each winner unique, and then has an experiment you can do at home. I am an Usborne consultant but I handed this one right to my 10 year old after I read it.
(Read again to my next 10 year old!) Fun book that teaches science and lessons for success in life. ❤

[Roy-James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combining nonfiction with a story element, How to Win a Nobel Prize aims to show its readers what it takes to become a world-changing scientist.

Full Review Here https://justimagine.co.uk/review/how-...