Netgalley Review: Superman Science

*I received an e-arc of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review*

Original Release Date:

March 1st 2017

Date I Read The Book:

December 2016

My Star Rating:

3.5 stars

Official Summary:

Superman is the World’s Greatest Hero! With super-strength, lightning speed, laser vision, and the ability to fly, he keeps Earth safe. But what is the science behind strength, speed, sight, and flight? And does anything or anyone in our world have similar abilities to Superman? Superman Science explores how real-life science and engineering relates to the Man of Steel’s famous powers and the real-world connections may surprise you.”

My Review: 

This book was cute. Mainly, it goes about explaining Superman’s powers in the real world context. He flies so this is a simplified version of how planes work. He’s strong here’s world records of strength. Most connections are basic lessons of physical science, historical feats, and connections to different animals.

The layout and organization is really well done. It did feel overly dumbed down in places, but that may just be my AP brain. This is meant for younger children after all. Though, in a lot of places, it felt only tangentially connected to Superman. Superman was the jumping of point to learn the science, but he wants the main focus it felt.

I think the reason I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I could have is I forgot it was targeted for much younger children, and so the fact that everything was so simplified and truncated made me feel patronized.

I think, if your 10-14, maybe a little younger or older depending on reading level/sciences you’ve taken, you’ll like this. Especially if you like Superman or you like learning. But if your the kind if person who takes AP sciences courses, you won’t get much out it.