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What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions,
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Edward Taylor
My 12 year old would get a kick out of some of it but the science is beyond many adults I know, so caveat emptor! Overall if they can follow the blog or even just enjoy some silly absurdities, than it is not too bad. I recommend trying the blog first and going from there.
Mark Davis
My 7-year-old (almost 8) is reading it. I'm not sure what motivates him; we are a relatively science and math-literate household but not extraordinarily so, but in any case he is enjoying it. It's probably not for most 7-year-olds, but if a non-typical 7-year-old can enjoy it, there's a decent chance a typical middle-schooler could too.
Brian
I sub in middle and high schools, and I've seen multiple middle schoolers reading it.
Reading Reader
My 12-year-old is loving it. Definitely recommended for kids of any age that have interest.
Georgia
I am 14 and I am reading it fine, it would depend on the person.
Linda Nielson
This is my 5th grade grandson's favorite book. He is the one that got me to read it. I am sure some of it probably went over his head, but he loves it.
Tom
I would say whatever any child is reading is good for them. Granted some adult censorship might be needs but in general reading is good. As a 13 -14 year old I read, The Cruel Sea and many Dennis Wheatley black magic type books and they were great - I saw the film The Devil Ride Out on TV late one weekend which was a parental treat for me back in the early 1970's. Christopher Lee did not do the story justice. Same for Day of the Triffids (ohn Wyndham) and Earth Abides (George R Stewart)
22ahodgson
I'm 13 and I love it.
Dale Babiy
Depends on the kid. My daughter read it at 6-7 yrs and loved it, but I did read it with her and kept an eye on her reaction. Because, um, the world ends. Many times. Messily. Some children might have difficulties with this, others (like mine) will giggle at the idea of the world ending because someone invented an infinitely powerful hair dryer and turned the knob up really high (her favorite, and a repeat request for bedtime story for about 4 months).
Katherine Chen
Yep! My 10 year old brother adores this book - it's a great hook into the world of reading something a little different than just chapter book fiction, too.
Collegeramen
Its entirely age appropriate and as for it being too scientific don't worry kids are smarter than you think and Randall Munroe explains it in a way that makes it easy to at least understand the concept of the scientific processes which is all that's needed to get a laugh out of it.
Susumu
My 11 year old loved it. With the way the book is written, younger kids can focus the parts they understand/relate to and gloss over the science they don't fully grasp without losing their enjoyment for the book as a whole. It also provided an opportunity for my son to ask questions and learn about some of the science that he didn't necessarily understand when reading through precisely because the way it was presented was so entertaining.
Jon.
My 13-year-old loved it, but he only read the ones he thought he'd understand.
Lindsey
Yes I think it is appropriate
Sandy
It is popular with our seventh and eighth grade boys
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