THE BLACK HOLE DEBACLE
By: Keri Claiborne Boyle
Illustrated by: Deborah Melmon
Published: August 15, 2022
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Fiction
This imaginative story teaches kids about Space’s most mysterious monster, The Black Hole, with silly over-the-top imagination and factual information. Jordie wants to be an astronomer someday. She dreams of space travel and even named her dog, Neptune, after the most distant planet from the sun. One day, something mysterious happens in her classroom and Jordie has to figure out how to stop it.
Even as an adult, I know next to nothing about Black Holes. I didn’t even know there was a Black Hole Initiative at NASA and Harvard. Thankfully, the author shares information and all kinds of facts about The Black Hole at the end of the book.
Even though this story is far-fetched, the illustrations show a girl who is inquisitive and willing to try to figure out how to stop the Black Hole from eating everything in her room. I especially loved her Space Camp shirt. Kids will definitely giggle when the Black Hole spits out Jordie’s unicorn underwear but doesn’t eat her broccoli and meatloaf for her.
Kids who are curious about Space or love imaginative stories will enjoy Jordie’s adventure with the Black Hole. When the Black Hole returns all of Jordie’s things you’ll never guess what it chose to keep! I loved that ending!
Keri Claiborne Boyle is a long-time space nerd and even attended Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama at the age of 14. Keri is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators as well as the Writers’ Loft. She holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University. She lives outside Boston with her husband, three kids, one dog, and two guinea pigs. This is Keri’s fourth book for children. Find out more at her website, HERE.
Deborah Melmon has illustrated more than 50 children’s books. She lives in the Bay Area of California. Find out more at her website, HERE.
Click HERE for a classroom teaching guide and activity pages.
To purchase a copy of THE BLACK HOLE DEBACLE, click HERE.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Children's books, Deborah Melmon, fiction, Keri Claiborne Boyle, space, STEM