The Science of Breakable Things

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2018

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapter 1-Part 2, Chapters 2-6

Part 3, Chapters 7-9-Part 4, Chapters 10-14

Part 5, Chapters 15-21

Part 6, Chapters 22-31

Part 7, Chapters 32-41-Part 8, Chapter 42

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Background

Scientific Context: The Scientific Method

Natalie structures her notebook by naming its parts after the steps of the scientific method, which involves asking questions, obtaining data, and analyzing the data to draw conclusions. The scientific method emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries during the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment and was formalized by scientist-philosophers René Descartes and Francis Bacon. The method helps scientists use inductive reasoning to learn the truth about something, rather than relying on preconceived notions about how things work.

The scientific method involves following a set of steps, which can vary slightly, depending on the specific experiment or set of experiments. However, the basic process of the scientific method is as follows:

1. Observe (gather information)

2. Ask a question

3. Form a hypothesis

4. Make a prediction

5. Test the hypothesis by performing a procedure or experiment

6. Repeat the experiment more times if necessary

7. Analyze the results

At a few points throughout her process, Natalie pauses to complete additional “investigative research” and redirect appropriately. At first, she doesn’t know the right research question to ask. Later, she realizes that she drew conclusions based on faulty data. This reflects the process followed by real scientists. The scientific method is important to Natalie both because she is learning about it at school and because her mother is a botanist who used to talk frequently about science and the importance of asking questions.

Cultural Context: Children Literature’s Role in Explaining Mental Health

Children’s literature enables children to learn about mental health and build empathy. According to child psychologists, talking to young people about mental health conditions like anxiety and depression will not cause children to develop them but will teach them better-coping mechanisms, self-awareness, and emotional recognition skills. Similarly, books can also introduce children to mental health concepts and coping mechanisms by exposing them to characters and encouraging them to develop empathy. Middle-grade novels approach these topics using language, imagery, and plot points that are accessible to and appropriate for children from ages eight to 12. Keller has mentioned in interviews and a blog post that she wrote Natalie’s story when “people [she] loved were suffering with a pretty serious depression, and [she] didn’t know how to help.” She notes that writing became an outlet that helped her in a difficult time, and it helps her readers feel less alone when their families or loved ones face challenging times.

In The Science of Breakable Things, Natalie’s mission is to understand her mother’s depression. The process of scientific inquiry, combined with friendship, honesty, and hope, helps her understand it better. By writing through this confusing and difficult stage of her life, Natalie demonstrates Keller’s advice for young people: “Writing isn’t a perfect solution, and it won’t solve everything. But all those worries are far less scary on the page than in those dark, lonely corners of the heart. So go, be brave. Be an artist” (Keller, Tae. “On Truth and Bravery: Starting a Newsletter, Preparing for Publication, and Writing through Fear.” 2017). Natalie demonstrates the cathartic power of writing, but she must also discuss mental health explicitly with her parents and her own therapist to better navigate her family life. Her parents’ initial attempts to shield Natalie from the truth or explain her mother’s illness euphemistically lead her to draw false conclusions about her mother and about depression. By communicating openly and honestly, Natalie learns that her mother’s depression is no one’s fault, her mother isn’t doing it on purpose, her mother still loves her, and healing is possible.