Maharashtra Board Class 5 English Balbharti Unit Three Chapter 22 A Book Review PDF Download

A Book Review

George's Secret Key to the Universe

George's Dad is an ardent environmentalist. In fact, both his parents are convinced that modern inventions of science and technology have caused a lot of damage on the earth. They are committed to the cause of saving the planet. They use a bicycle instead of a car. There is a ban on TV and computers in their house. They don't buy things like bread and biscuits. They eat only vegetarian and home cooked food. They even use candles to light the house to avoid using electricity. Poor George has to suffer a lot of jeering and ridicule from his friends because of all this.

Actually, George doesn't think that either the TV or the computer is a bad thing. He has tried to tell his parents that it's possible to save the earth using the computers and the internet. But no! In their house, there can't be ANY discussion on that issue. George always likes to know 'why'. But who is to answer his questions? His parents think that he is still too young to understand global issues.

One day, however, George unexpectedly acquires a new friend and next door neighbour – Annie. Annie's father Eric is a brilliant scientist and ever willing to answer all of George's questions. Eric has built a super super intelligent computer named Cosmos. Cosmos has incredible powers. It can literally open windows on the universe and take you to any planet, star, comet and even to a black hole! And of course Cosmos can also bring you back from there. However, Cosmos depends entirely on the information that is fed into it by people like Eric who do the research and thinking that can make Cosmos work.

Teacher's Note

This book teaches us that science is good when we use it properly. In India, many families now use computers to learn, but we should not spend too much time on screens. Balance is important.

Exam Trick

Remember: Cosmos is a computer that needs correct information to work properly. Just like that, science is only good when scientists use it for helping people, not for selfish reasons.

Points to Remember

George's parents do not like modern technology and science.
Eric is a scientist who helps George learn about the universe.
Cosmos is a super intelligent computer that can show you any place in space.
Science should be used to help people and save the earth.
Too much technology is bad, but avoiding it completely is also wrong.

Science can be used for a good cause and a group of good scientists like Eric have vowed to use it for people's welfare. Unfortunately, there is one odd angry scientist who wants to use science for his own selfish motives. He is planning to steal Cosmos and all of Eric's research so that he can establish his own rule on another planet. It so happens that only George can do something to overcome the wicked plans of the nasty scientist. If you want to know what adventures he undertakes and what strategies he has to use to stop the power hungry scientist, you have to read the novel, 'George's Secret Key to the Universe'.

The author of this wonderful adventure is Lucy Hawking. The story of the novel is imaginary but it also includes plenty of charts, photographs, boxes that give you hard facts about our solar system, galaxies, space and the whole universe. This information has been presented in a very simple, easy to understand manner by none other than Stephen Hawking, who is said to be one of the greatest scientists of our times. His achievements are all the more astounding as he is a victim of many physical ailments. He has to use a wheelchair to move about and uses a computerised voice system in order to 'speak'. The story of Stephen Hawking's triumph over his physical disabilities is itself an inspiring adventure.

The book includes very attractive and expressive sketches drawn by Garry Parsons.

It is true that the excessive use of science and technology can give rise to certain problems. But turning away from technology is not the solution. That is why the Hawkings have given an important message in this book – More research, more studies and a commitment to use them not for selfish gains but for the welfare of the entire living world!

Teacher's Note

Stephen Hawking was a great scientist who could not walk or talk, but he still helped the world understand space and stars. He is a real hero that our children should know about.

Exam Trick

Remember: Stephen Hawking used technology to help himself and others. Technology is not bad – bad people who misuse it are the problem. Keep this in mind for essay questions.

Points to Remember

Lucy Hawking wrote this book with her father Stephen Hawking.
The story is about George and his adventures in space.
Stephen Hawking was very sick but still became a great scientist.
The book has pictures and information about planets and stars.
We should use science to help people, not to hurt them.

Things To Do

Activity

Write a short book review of any one of your favourite books. Your review should include the following things.

Title of the book

Name of the author or authors

Name of the illustrator (artist)

The central idea of the book (what the book is about)

The important characters in the book and what they do

What you like about the book

Why you want others to read the book or what you learn from the book

Teacher's Note

When children write book reviews, they learn to think about stories carefully. This is like how a parent in India might ask their child, "What did you read today? Did you like it?"

Exam Trick

Remember: A book review needs five things – Title, Author, What Happens, Good Things About It, Why Others Should Read It. Use this order in your answer.

Points to Remember

Always write the title and author name at the start.
Tell what the book is mainly about in two or three sentences.
Talk about the characters and their names.
Say what you liked most about the book.
Say why your friends should also read this book.

This is a preview of the first 3 pages. To get the complete book, click below.