The Jamie Drake Equation

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Edge has found the equation that solves the problem of how to write a fun, intellectually challenging novel with an emotional center.”— The Times (UK) During his math test Jamie somehow mentally connects to the aliens. As he answers the last “create your own equation” question, he accidentally writes what turns out to be the first line of The Standard Model. The Standard Model is the mindblowing theory that describes all the elementary particles and how they interact. It is sometimes called “the theory of nearly everything”. This book is very emotional for a middle school read. That’s not a bad thing, but there’s this almost Armageddon feel to the end and I really don’t want to make the kids cry! We also deal with serious themes like divorce and separation, moving, fear and more. Nominated for the 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal. Shortlisted for the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Award, the Haringey Children’s Book Award and the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award.

Overall, the Jamie Drake Equation is a well written short novel, ideal for younger readers who might be interested in science, aliens and space travel. Edge includes lots of science tidbits for young readers to chew on and includes short chapter called The Science of The Jamie Drake Equation where he examines some of the science in the novel. This was great!! I liked how it had the science behind the book at the end (the infinite lives of Maisie day also had that, which is the other book I've read by edge)...it's a nice addition for actual kids reading this as well as a refresher for adults. Or maybe new stuff to adults, who knows. I was kind of surprised to recognize the Fibonacci sequence before the book told me 😂 look at my brain pulling random memories from the depths of my school days, lol. Sure signs that the creative wells are running dry at last, the Captain’s ninth, overstuffed outing both recycles a villain (see Book 4) and offers trendy anti-bullying wish fulfillment. With solid science and believable family conflicts, this will be very satisfying to readers whose wishful thinking can suspend disbelief.I would use this book with year 4 or year 5 children as a read-aloud story or to use for a literacy unit. I would also recommend this book to children to read individually if we were not using it in class.

With solid science and believable family conflicts, this will be very satisfying to readers whose wishful thinking can suspend disbelief. Kirkus, starred reviewI wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” J.R. Tolkien The Jamie Drake Equation was one I was considering for my 4-6th grade STEM book club. It was a good read and would have given us a lot to talk about but I just didn’t think we had enough copies in our library system to make it work. This book is science fiction at its best. Admittedly I am no astronomy expert, but from the way this story is written, the alien/science concept is plausible and characters are believable. The pacing is good, all the way to the end when the tension peaks. There is nothing too technical that a lay-person can’t understand, yet if you were someone STEM-inclined, this is not too contrived either. Jamie's father is a world famous astronaut who is on a mission on the International Space Station. The day his father is to launch important probes to seek out intelligent life in a distant system, happens also to be Jamie's birthday. Jamie not only has to share his father with the world, but he also has to share his birthday with an important event as well. His father's busy and demanding career means that Jamie doesn't get much time with him. When he tries to talk to his father about what's happening on his phone, his father doesn't believe him and thinks he's making it up to get his attention. When Jamie needs his father the most to help him solve a problem in HIS life his father isn't there for him. "Dad has always said I can tell him anything - any problem I've got, any worry I have, and he'll help me to sort it out....All I need is for Dad to believe me and then he'll be able to tell me what to do." You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing...after all, what's a life anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die...By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that.”