Ronnie's Great Idea 2016

Ronnie’s Great Idea is a story about the life and work of Dr. Ronald L. Mallett. Dr. Mallett is an African American physicist who is one of the world leaders in time travel research. He currently works at the University of Connecticut and has a patent on a time travel machine. Dr. Mallett’s interest in time travel began as a child shortly after his father died. Learning about time travel through fiction, Ronald thought that by building a time machine he might be able to travel back in time and save his father’s life. What began as a childhood fantasy, grew into his life’s work.As a biographical fiction, Ronnie’s Great Idea presents key events events in Dr. Mallett’s life through a fictionalized story. The book begins with Ronald as a young child and ends with him as a university professor. The story describes challenges faced by the main character. In the face of these challenges, it is his drive to create a time machine and the support of his family that help him to persist.Ronnie’s Great Idea is especially powerful for children of African descent. Stories like that of Dr. Mallett are too little known. It is difficult to see the power and potential we have as a race when our heroes are not shown and their stories are not told. Ronnie’s Great Idea is a powerful departure from the norm. It is a valuable resource for Black children and adults alike.As a Level 4 Reader, Ronnie’s Great Idea introduces children to chapters, presents challenging themes, and offers great new vocabulary words. This text is a powerful learning resource for parents and teachers, and great fun for children!