Isaac the Alchemist: Secrets of Isaac Newton, Reveal'd

I loved this book but my 8-year-old only liked it. Issac Newton is one of those people you think you already know a lot about - physicist, astronomer, mathematician, but I was amazed how much I did not know about him and how much no one knows about him really. Losure’s research for this book is incredible and she often quotes primary sources in the text which sometimes makes the text a bit hard to understand for a younger child. My daughter said a few times, “Wait, what?” So although the chapters are short, in the 4-8 page range, and perfect for younger readers, the text may be a bit more of a challenge. The book is also filled with amazing illustrations from the time or from one of Issac’s notebooks or books. These amazing illustrations are plentiful and one of my favorite aspects of the book. I loved so much about this book but my favorite part was how Losure concluded: Isaac Newton “was not the first of the age of reason,” Keynes realized, astounded. “He was the last of the magicians.” And yet this magician, this last sorcerer - this greatest of all alechemists - was the same man who banished magic from the scientific world. An alchemist is someone who transforms one thing into another. And this, Issac had done. This actually made me tearful! I read this to my husband who decided to read the book himself after that! He loved it too! Maybe Losure can affect an important transformation of her own; perhaps the time has come for a nonfiction book to win the Newbery Medal!

Hook someone you love who loves science. Was a gift and he likes it !

Overall a good book. But the first half reads more like a collection of disjointed notes. It doesn't flow well or tell much of a story. But by the end it is a good book.

I really liked this book it was very interesting and it was cool to Lear about his childhood, it was sad. But over all the book was fantastic, I would recommend this book for sure. Jadeyn

Awesome!!!!! My 5th grade class loves this book----but it is also quite interesting as an adult read too----if you understand the "secrets".

I liked it.

Losure does an excellent job of connecting to younger readers by painting a picture of Newton as a child - his family relationships, his past times, and the beginnings of his genius all of which help the reader ease into his complex and world changing ideas. Some brilliant moments in the story suggest that IF certain events in Newton's life had not occurred as they did then history may not have followed as it has. Language, pacing, chronology - so well-done. Highly recommended - even for adults to gain a better understanding of who this man was, not just 'what he did'.

Written for a young person not for an adult.

Actually the book is a good one

I've read several biographies of Isaac Newton and thought that I knew most things worth knowing about him, but this book has lot's of fascinating details concerning the great man. This is a really nice introduction to him, and is an enjoyable read.