• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

When the summer fair is canceled to make way for a physics conference, Jeremy agrees to help his uncle protest. But their mission is foiled by Audrey, a young science whiz, who sets out to prove that physics is in everything we do, and also is really cool.

Audrey shows how physics can help a baseball pitcher throw a great breaking ball or a hockey player skate faster. She explains how gravity and the laws of motion make rides at the fair so exhilarating, and that forensic physicists could help the art gallery determine if a valuable painting is a fake.

From sports to art to music to nature, Audrey shows how the laws of physics play a starring role. Steve Rolston’s inviting artwork and clear diagrams ensure a dynamic, high-voltage ride. 

Cora Lee is a scientific writer for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and also coordinates the Vancouver chapter of the Canadian Association for Girls in Science. She lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Cora Lee's profile page

Steve Rolston's profile page

• Commended, Science in Society Book Award, Honorable Mention

“The physics concepts and application of real world physics to the various scenarios are true, accurate and age appropriate.”

CM Reviews, 02/10

“The explanations are clear . . . and Lee has done a good job in simplifying and interpreting the concepts.”

Canadian Children’s Book News, Spring/10

“... a great introduction to an esoteric subject.”—Resource Links, 12/09

“The concepts are explained in easy, relatable terms that make the fundamentals of physics clear to any beginner.”

VOYA, 04/10

“Introduces a complicated field of study in a lighthearted way.”

Kirkus Reviews, 10/09

The Great Motion Mission: A Surprising Story of Physics in Everyday Life

Cora Lee explained how mathematics permeated our everyday lives in her previous book, The Great Number Rumble (co-authored with Gillian O’Reilly). She is back to do the same with physics in her latest book, The Great Motion Mission.

Lee’s story begins with the premise that a decision must be made about tearing down the fairgrounds to build a new physics research centre. Armed with arguments for and against the new centre, our narrator Jeremy, the girl next door Audrey, and their friend Lucas battle it out over the importance of physics in daily life. Each chapter focuses on an element of physics, including momentum, sight, sound, atoms, gravity and electronics. Concepts are described using common activities – baseball and hockey, music and cell phone rings, carnival rides and skateboarding. The explanations are clear and some of the more complex ideas are given in-depth explanations in sidebars. There are lots of illustrations and diagrams that help to clarify the information.

Physics can be challenging to understand and Lee has done a good job in simplifying and interpreting the concepts. The narrative runs through the whole book, with the kids discussing and arguing about each concept. (In the end, the town decides to build the research centre and keep the amusement park as well.) Keen science students may want to read the book from cover to cover. Students might be more likely to read a chapter on its own to explore a particular concept, and teachers may find it useful to read sections aloud to introduce physics concepts.