Breakthrough: How One Teen Innovator Is Changing the World

Andraka, Jack

ISBN 10: 1483079473 ISBN 13: 9781483079479

Publisher: Blackstone Pub, 2015

Synopsis

An uplifting memoir by the innovative teen who at the age of 15 created an early detection test for cancer shares the story behind his groundbreaking discovery, an effort marked by his struggles with bullying and depression. Simultaneous.

About this title

Review

'Spectacular stuff ... What Jack is doing is better than what I was doing in high school, I promise you.'

(Barack Obama)

'This kid is the Edison of our times.'

(Dr Anirban Maitra)

‘Inspiring ... Jack’s motivation is to make the world a better place and to encourage other teens to do so too.’

(Weekend Herald)

'Funny, brave and super-enthusiastic, with a healthy dose of adolescent egotism and some comic glimpses of the trials of being Jack's parent, Breakthrough is an inspiring story for would-be scientists ... just don't complain when they turn your microwave into a ray gun.'

(Jane Shilling Daily Mail)

'A heartening and inspirational read.'

(Keeley Bolger Dubbo Weekender)

‘Anyone who is feeling despair about bullying, about homophobia, about how to make their great idea come to fruition, would do well to read this incredible story’

(Geelong Advertiser)

'High school students would gain immensely from reading Breakthrough, and the rest of us would too, especially to help keep the feeling of hope alive.'

(Kieran Salsone Queensland Times)

‘The book is pitched at young people and Andraka’s geeky charm comes through. So even if he has been over-hyped, in the end what’s not to like about a gay nerd doing his bit to show how exciting braininess can be?’

(Owen Richardson Sydney Morning Herald)

From the Back Cover

Jack wouldn't give up.

After a dear family friend died of pancreatic cancer, Jack Andraka decided to create a better method of early detection. It took two hundred letters before Jack found lab space to pursue his idea and months of work to make it a reality, but in the end, he did it. Jack's early-detection test for pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancers has the potential to be over four hundred times more effective than the medical standard and cost only three cents. Jack was fifteen at the time.

Jack's story is not just one of dizzying international success; it is a story of overcoming depression and homophobic bullying and finding the resilience to persevere and come out. His account inspires young people, who he argues are the most innovative, to fight for the right to be taken seriously and to pursue their own dreams. With hands-on science experiments included, Jack's memoir empowers his generation with the knowledge that we can each change the world if we only have the courage to try.

Edition details

• Publisher: Blackstone Pub
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1483079473
• ISBN 13: 9781483079479
• Binding: Audio CD