Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It;

Winner of the Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe New Talent Award, this acclaimed, multicultural book about a biracial boy with a passion for science will resonate with children everywhere who can€t€"or won€t€"be defined by categories.
 
Ten-year-old Brendan Buckley is a self-declared scientist: asking questions and looking for answers, but most of all struggling against the overprotective behavior of his parents. Up until now, he has never even met his grandfather€"the grandfather his mother won€t even speak of.
 
A chance encounter brings Brendan and his grandfather together where Brendan initiates a relationship with estranged grandfather, Ed DeBose. While they share a passion for geology, they do not share the color of their skin; Brendan€s skin is brown, not pink like Ed DeBose€s. Pretty soon, Brendan sets out to uncover the reason behind Ed€s absence but soon discovers that family secrets can€t be explained by science.
 
A winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award, this is a novel about a boy learning about race relations and what it means to be a family.
 

 
An NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year
 

"Frazier writes affectingly about what being biracial means in twenty-first century America." €"School Library Journal
 
"Brendan is an appealing character with a sense of honor. . . . A good, accessible selection to inspire discussion of racism and prejudice." €"Kirkus Reviews
 
"Frazier delivers her messages without using an overly heavy hand. Brendan is a real kid with a passion for science and also a willingness to push his parents' rules." €"Booklist