The Shocking World of Electricity with Max Axiom, Super Scientist (Graphic Science series) - Softcover

Liam O'Donnell was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in Canada.  He's lived in Toronto, Canada and is the author of several graphic novels, including the Max Finder Mystery series of you-solve-it comics.  He's never met a pirate and not sure if he ever wants to.  When he's not writing stories, he loves playing video games and going camping, but not at the same time.

Winner of the 2008 Teachers' Choice Award for Children's Books --Learning Magazine, September 2007

Max Axiom is a super cool science teacher who explains and demonstrates science so that others can learn about electricity. This engaging action-packed nonfiction presented in graphic narrative format resembles a cartoon. The voice bubbles of Max Axiom relate factual information told by Max as he travels from place to place, making observations about electricity and its impact on daily life. The text in this fascinating book contains short, direct sentences, and the vocabulary is controlled yet precise. There are four separate sections or chapters containing important information, such as how energy is converted to electricity and how power is at our fingertips. At the back of the book are an index, a glossary, a listing of suggested Internet sites, and a brief bio about the superhero of the book, Max Axiom. Rich with detailed accurate information and presented in a reader-friendly way, children who like superheroes and science, will enjoy reading this cartoonlike book over and over again to learn all about electricity. --Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, January 2007

Solid science and decent graphic-novel style illustrations are the basis for the series.  In Forces and Motion, to represent motion, some of the illustrations are blurred which may be off-putting to some.  The More About section of each book sums up the topic.  Inset boxes address vocabulary, interesting facts, and famous people.  Web sites are accessed through FactHound.  The action and story line are easy-to-follow, even for those not raised on graphic novels.  These should be a welcome addition to a collection and will be enjoyed by students who like graphic formats, science, and ESOL and Special Education populations.  Bibliography. Glossary.  Index.  Recommended. --Library Media Connection; Vol. 26, No. 2; Page 88, October 2007