The Science of Breakable Things

Mr. Neely wants everyone to answer an important question using the scientific method and notes in the journal for his class,  but all Natalie can think about is her mom.  Normally, Mom would have been all over this idea.  She's a botanist who studies a miracle plant, the cobalt blue orchid.  The flower grew out of a field flooded with toxic waste. She has always helped Natalie with science projects.  But now things are different.

Her mom came home upset about work one day in July, and she's barely left the bed since.  Natalie is scared and frustrated, but she tries to keep it all inside.  Her therapist father is always trying to therapize her, but Natalie can see right through him.

Her best friend, Twig, doesn't even know the truth.  She knows something's not right, but Natalie hasn't confided in her. 

When Mr. Neely sees Natalie struggling with her important question, he suggests she participate in a community egg drop competition.  Natalie isn't too interested until she sees there is a $500 prize for the winner.  She can use that money to get a new cobalt blue orchid to replace the one that died, and everything will go back to normal.

With help from Twig and her new genius friend, Dari, Natalie knows they will win. 

Tae Keller's debut novel is a touching look at depression and how it can affect an entire family.  The first person point of view shows the reader the situation from Natalie's limited and somewhat confused perspective.  I also really like that even though the father is a therapist, he still struggles to handle the situation in his own home.  I just wish there had been some kind of closure on the dad's struggles with accepting his Korean ancestry.  It's just sort of dropped in with no explanation.  Otherwise, highly recommended, especially for kids whose parents struggle with mental illness.