Brainwalker

Robyn Mundell and Stephan Lacast

“The Reezon Holons are slashing my dad’s neurons as fast as they can to stop the flow of Energeia once and for all. When the last branch is cut, that’ll be the end of the Brainiverse. And the end for Dad.”

Imagine Osmosis Jones and The Magic School Bus had a book baby. Thus Brainwalker was born. Brainwalker is a science action-packed kid’s novel. If you have an interest in the brain, brain function, or neuroscience as a whole, and you are around 10 years old, this is an excellent read for you. If you find yourself a little older than 10, you might want to look elsewhere for your next read. 

Bernard, our main character, is the child of two scientists. His mother recently passed away in a lab accident. Bernard and his father are greaving her death and trying to find their new “normal.” Bernard is creative and bursting with strange ideas. Sadly, his science teacher, principal, and father are 100% done with his behavior and opinions. Bernard had homework. All he had to do was come up with a rational science project, that didn’t happen. Bernard is pushed to his limit by his teacher and classmates forcing him to act out once more. One thing leads to another and Bernard finds himself exploring his father’s workplace. Next thing you know Bernard is wormhole warping inside his father’s brain. In the universe of his father’s brainBernard’s knowledge of the mind and creativity to work as he bands together with locals to “fix” his father.

Brainwalker was a refreshing read. I enjoyed the story of father and son and the science content. I would love to see this novel used in the classroom. Late Elementary/Middle school students would enjoy the adventure.

Honestly, it was not the best novel I have read and is most defiantly aimed at younger readers (around 9-11), but the creativity of Brainwalker made up for the shortcomings I found.

I liked the concept this read–boy wormholes into his father’s brain and developed a deeper understanding of himself, the mind, and his father. BUT if you are reading this with a youngster or a class of students, you might find yourself struggling to explain wormholes and their creation. Overall, I liked Brainwalker. I wouldn’t recommend to everyone, but most defiantly would to my teacher friends and younger readers.

Plan to read Brainwalker? Have you read it? Tell me your thought below.