Quantum July

By: Ron King

 

  “The reader will connect with the two realities Danny lives in.”

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Quantum July. The first few pages I thought this was a novel geared more for younger children, but as I read further I realized it suited teenagers even better. I like the choice of font; it is light hearted and inviting. This book was very easy to get into; the diction is simple and casual. The author gives just the right amount of character detailing and plot action, and also throws in a bit of humor. I like the way King has only a few characters, and how he gives each of the main characters a little time in the spot light.

    Every now and then King carefully throws in scientific and mathematic vocabulary and explains what each word means. It was cool for me, because right now I am studying the uncertainty principle in chemistry class, and he made use of that on a few occasions throughout the book. I like the way King uses repetition. For example, he constantly references the picture of Danny’s dad, Wade Parsons, in the Himalayas and reminds the reader of how Mr. Parsons used to be.

    I believe it was clever for King to have the family go through painful experiences. Those difficult experiences, like the splitting of the Parsons family, allow for the reader to connect and sympathize with the characters and it brings the reader into the story. It is really cool how well King describes the two realities that Danny lives in: the world where he is with his sister, Bridget, and his brother, Simon, and the other world in the barn with his dad. Both worlds are important to him, and it is interesting how he tries to unite the two.

-Will W.