Stephen Hawking

by Nikki Sheehan

Award-winning children's author and journalist, Nikki Sheehan, explores the life of the inspirational scientist Stephen Hawking. A Life Story : This gripping series throws the reader directly into the lives of modern society's most influential figures. With striking black-and-white illustration along with timelines and never-heard-before facts. Also in the

Genres: Science

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2019

About the author

Nikki Sheehan is the youngest daughter of a rocket scientist. She went to a convent school in Cambridge where she was taught by real nuns in long black habits. She studied linguistics and then psychology and worked as a subtitler for the Simpsons, followed by many years as a journalist. She lives in Hove near the beach with her husband, three children, two dogs, one cat and definitely no more hamsters.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first biography I’ve read in A Life Story series for middle grade.

On January 8, 1942 one of the greatest scientists was born – Stephen Hawking. Both of his parents were highly educated. Stephen’s grades were average, but his classmates noticed how clever he was and called him “Einstein.” As he was working on his PhD, he was diagnosed with ALS disease. At twenty-one, he was told that he had two years left. He defied the odds, dying at seventy-six.

The first half of his story seems choppy. The chapters are short, with very brief information jumping a few years. He is born, and then suddenly he buys electric train with his own money. His sister is given a doll’s house, and that’s how we learn he has a sister.

In some chapters, there are a lot of inserts, which overwhelm the main story. The storytelling sounds like listing facts. It improves in the second half.

Hawking’s disability gave him a different platform. It didn’t take him down. It showed him that every moment counts. He passionately advocated for many things: encouraged disable people to reach for the stars and them being able to have access to different places on wheelchair, caring for the planet. He was also against the Brexit as that wasn’t the way to deal with interlaced economies. His character development comes through in the second part, which I was missing in the first part.

There are limited black and white illustrations, which is fine for this age group.

[Edgar Varese · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very interesting, and I liked it a lot. I think it's well writen and I recommend it!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikki Sheehan's easily accessible writing style, plus Mike Phillips' detailed and intriguing illustrations, make this true life story a very interesting read. Written with a light touch, the details are easy to digest and the author doesn't get bogged down in what could be very intricate detail. There are break-out fact boxes and explanations, glossaries and timelines - and the illustrations very much compliment the text. Throughout, the author presents Stephen's life as interesting and inspiring, often giving insights into Stephen's innermost thoughts, values and cheeky sense of humour.

[Shellie Whild · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly decent if a little dry. Aimed at children/young people. I liked the way the book was separated into sections about Professor Hawking's life scattered through with factual information about his science. You could choose whether to read a section and still have a good understanding of the details.

[Lucy Kenah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was younger, and to this day it remains one of my favourite books!