Me & Mr. Bell - Softcover

Roy, Philip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1927492556 ISBN 13: 9781927492550

Publisher: Nimbus Publishing (CN), 2013

Synopsis

Alexander Graham Bell, scientist, engineer, and inventor of the telephone, was not only famous for his intelligence, but also for his kindness. In this wonderful story set in 1908, ten-year-old Eddie MacDonald shares the great inventor’s passion for problem solving and for long, contemplative walks in the fields above Bras d’Or Lake, a beautiful lake near Bell's real-life residence in Cape Breton, Canada.

But Mr. Bell is known all around the world for being smart and Eddie is just a local farm boy, struggling to learn to read and write. After a few chance encounters the elderly Mr. Bell befriends the young boy and takes an interest in his struggle. He encourages Eddie to celebrate his successes and never give up.

When Mr. Bell’s long ambition for manned flight results in the Silver Dart soaring over Bras d’Or Lake, Eddie is inspired to find creative solutions to his own challenges.

Perfect as a read aloud for struggling readers and different learners - and for inspiring all children on the lessons of compassion and the many types of intelligence—Me & Mr. Bell also weaves in a range of STEM concepts for middle-grade readers, including early flight concepts, simple applied mathematics, the curvature of the Earth, the natural science of the Greek philosophers, simple machines, and the scientific process.

The story is filled with powerful descriptions Eddie gives about his difficulties with reading and writing, giving readers an understanding of the amount of time and hard work that students with learning differences must put in to keep up with classmates. By following Eddie's thoughts as he puzzles through spelling and pronunciation conundrums—and how he whizzes through applied mathematics problems—readers will see how different types of intelligence both struggle and succeed, and be inspired by Eddie's drive to improve with Mr. Bell's advice and support.

Helen Keller, a real-life friend of Mr. Bell's (whose parents and wife were deaf), also makes an appearance in the story, giving young readers another inspirational example of how the abilities we're given can overcome those we're not.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Fiction for young people.

Praise for Philip Roy's Blood Brothers in Louisbourg

An "amazing tale. A moving story that rings true and that resonates long after you put down the book."--The Children's Book Review"

Evocative detail, lyrical language and good pacing make this novel a winner. Highly Recommended."--CM Magazine

"Exceptional historical fiction. [Roy's] writing is intricate and beautifully crafted."--Keen Readers

"...thoughtful, artfully rendered..."--Atlantic Books Today

"Wonderful..."--49th Shelf

Me & Mr. Bell
Alexander Graham Bell, Baddeck's most illustrious resident, and one of the world's greatest inventors, is also famous for the greatness of his compassion. It's 1908, and ten-year-old Eddie MacDonald shares the friendly inventor's passion for solving problems and for taking long walks in the fields above Bras d'Or Lake. But whereas Bell is renowned by many for being the smartest man in the world, Eddie is just a local farm boy who struggles to learn to read and write. After a few chance encounters, the elderly Bell befriends the young boy, and takes an interest in his struggle--encouraging Eddie to celebrate his successes and never give up. When Bell's long ambition for manned flight culminates in the Silver Dart soaring over Bras d'Or Lake, Eddie is inspired to find solutions to his own challenges.

Philip Roy is the best-selling author of the Submarine Outlaw series and of Blood Brothers in Louisbourg (CBU Press 2012).

From the Inside Flap

Paper made from recycled material.

Edition details

• Publisher: Nimbus Publishing (CN)
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1927492556
• ISBN 13: 9781927492550
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 146