If it weren’t for the nice but nerdy guy who sat in the row in front of me in Grade 10 science class, I never would have passed physics. When vectors and forces threatened to make my head swim, all I had to do was smile coyly, compliment him on his pocket protector and ask to see his notes.

My strategy worked and I passed (barely) but to this day, I still get hung up on all kinds of terms from acceleration to velocity to force. Is it a big deal? When I’m driving on the highway during rush-hour traffic at 20 km over the speed limit I sometimes think it is. Which maybe is why I got kind of excited about The Manga Guide To Physics when it crossed my desk this week.

The Manga Guide To Physics is the book I wish I had when I was in high school and the book that will be perfect for my teenage daughter now. Described as a “cartoon guide to physics”, it explains complex physics concepts – force, motion, momentum, energy – using a graphic novel format.

Readers follow Megumi, an all-star athlete who’s a failure at physics. She befriends physics geek Ryota who uses everyday language and objects to teach tough physics concepts.

As a parent, I love the idea behind the book but I wondered how teenagers would take to it. I gave The Manga Guide To Physics to my daughter and solicited her opinion. The verdict? She thought it was great. The graphic novel format and sucked her in immediately and kept her there, despite what could be considered a pretty dry subject. Between now and the time my children finish high-school, this is definitely one book that will be kept in easy reach.

Curious or want more information? You can check out The Manga Guide To Physics at No Starch Press.