Module 12: Odd Boy Out

Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein

Book Summary 

Odd Boy Out is a picture book biography of Albert Einstein. It is a short account of his life and work through the lens of him being considered an "odd boy". It leads the reader through Einstein's family and professional life and in the end shows that the "odd boy" grows into a great thinker and that our perception of him today is much different than that of his peers as he was growing up.

Citation 

Brown, D. (2004). Odd boy out: Young Albert Einstein. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

My Impressions

I have always been intrigued with Albert Einstein. I have done multiple research projects on him and know a great deal about his life. I have never viewed his life through this lens before. I believe we could all relate to the feelings of being odd and isolated. This is a great book for children to see how being odd is not necessarily a bad thing.

Review Excerpts 
Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., Larkins, J., & Taniguchi, M. (2004). Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein (Book). School Library Journal, 50(10), 138-139.

"Through eloquent narrative and illustration, Brown offers a thoughtful introduction to an enigmatic man. This book will pique the interest of readers with little or no knowledge of Einstein."


Flynn, K. (2004). Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein (Book). Horn Book Magazine, 80(5), 604-605. 
"The book's message about different ways of and approaches to learning is clear and will surely be appreciated by the intended audience"

Suggestions for Use in a Library

Who hasn't felt odd or isolated or different in their life. Children are often feeling this way and think they are the only ones who do. I would create a board in my library (or perhaps in the hallway) that would allow students to have a safe place to share their feelings. I would provide cards for students to write on where they could share their feelings of being different or odd. They also could share stories and things about others that they like (that the recipient might consider to be odd about themselves).