George's Secret Key to the Universe  (English, Paperback, Hawking Lucy)

George’s Secret Key To The Universe, published in October 2007, is Lucy and Stephen Hawking's attempt to bring the basics of theoretical physics to children. It is intended for kids of 9 years of age and above. The book was followed by two sequels, George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt in 2009 and George and the Big Bang in 2011.

Summary Of The Book

George’s Secret Key To The Universe intends to make children knowledgeable about the solar system, the Milky Way, gravity, electrons, and esoteric physics concepts like black holes, Hawking radiation, and the possibility of recapturing information from black holes. The book revolves around young George, and his new friends Eric, Annie, and Cosmos. George’s parents are berserk environmentalists who disapprove of modern technology, which they believe has harmed the Earth. Due to their dislike of technology, George is not allowed to use computers of any kind.

The story begins when George goes to feed his pet pig, Freddy, and finds that Freddy is missing. George begins to search for Freddy, and this search leads him to an old abandoned house. Inside this house, he meets Eric who lives with his daughter, Annie, and Cosmos, the most powerful and intelligent computer in the world. Cosmos can draw windows allowing people to look into outer space, as well as doors which act as portals allowing travel into outer space. George’s voyages through the vastness of space help him uncover the mysteries of physics, science, and the universe. Soon, he finds out that there are others who are seeking Cosmos and what worries him is that what would happen if the wrong people get their hands on Cosmos.

George’s Secret Key To The Universe is a terrific page-turner and a revelation to every young reader who has ever looked into the skies and wondered about the world beyond planet Earth. It has been brilliantly presented with drawings and illustrations, making it both informative and funny.    

About The Authors

Stephen William Hawking, born on 8 January, 1942, is a British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and novelist.

Hawking's other popular books include A Brief History Of Time, which was published in the year 1988 and remained on the British Sunday Times bestseller list for an exceptional 237 weeks. It was followed by The Universe In A Nutshell in 2001, and a collection of essays called Black Holes and Baby Universes in 1993.

Stephen Hawking is almost completely paralysed and suffers from a motor neurone disease which is linked with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a condition that has elevated over the years. In 1979, he became the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, and held this position for 30 years until his retirement in 2009.

He has been honored with several prestigious awards and medals for his work and also has statues built and buildings named after him.

Catherine Lucy Hawking, born on 2 November, 1970, is an English journalist and author. She is the daughter of Stephen Hawking and his ex-wife, Jane Wilde.

The other two novels that she has written are Jaded and Run for Your Life, which was also published as The Accidental Marathon.

Lucy Hawking is the vice president of the National Star College.