What If?

What If?

book

2024, Humor & Entertainment, Humor

WISE
93%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Absurd questions meet serious science in this hilarious, brain-expanding book from the xkcd creator—now with 10 years of extra explosions.

Amazon4.6
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those books that makes you wish science class was this fun. Randall Munroe has cracked the code: take absurd questions seriously, apply real physics, and explain it all with humor and clarity.

The genius here is that every chapter starts with a question most adults would brush off ('What if the moon disappeared?') and then Munroe goes full nerd, running computer simulations and consulting nuclear reactor operators to find the answer. Kids learn actual science—differential equations, orbital mechanics, thermodynamics—without realizing they're being educated because they're too busy laughing about the complete annihilation of humankind.

The 10th anniversary edition sweetens the deal with new annotations and illustrations, making an already-great book even better. This is the kind of book that sparks a lifelong love of science, or at least makes your kid the most interesting person at the lunch table.

If your kid is a curious reader who loves asking 'why?' and 'what if?', this is a must-have. Just be prepared for them to start asking you increasingly weird hypothetical questions at dinner.

Age Fit

Best for middle schoolers and up (ages 11+) who have the reading stamina and scientific curiosity to dig into physics concepts. Adults love it too—it's one of those rare books that works across generations. Younger kids might enjoy having sections read aloud, but they'll get more out of it when they're older.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

Randall Munroe's tone is consistently warm, humorous, and intellectually generous. The book celebrates curiosity without mockery, turning absurd questions into genuine scientific exploration. The humor is clever and self-aware—predicting 'complete annihilation of humankind' in a physics scenario is played for laughs, not fear. No mean-spiritedness, no cynicism, just pure nerdy joy.

Imaginative
96

This book is imagination incarnate. Every chapter starts with a 'what if?' question that most people would dismiss as silly, then Munroe takes it seriously and runs wild with physics, math, and computer simulations. It models exactly the kind of creative, boundary-pushing thinking we want kids to develop—asking weird questions, following them to their logical (and often explosive) conclusions, and discovering real science along the way. The xkcd comics add visual creativity to the mix.

Safe
92

Books are generally safe, and this one has no inappropriate content for kids. The 'dangers' are all hypothetical physics scenarios (speed bumps, baseball at light speed, robot apocalypses) presented with humor and scientific rigor. Web search confirms middle-schoolers can handle it; a typical 7-year-old might struggle with complexity but there's nothing shocking or traumatic. The Amazon rating of 4.6/5 suggests broad appeal without controversy.

Enriching
94

This is STEM education disguised as entertainment. Munroe teaches physics, chemistry, astronomy, and computational thinking through ridiculous scenarios that stick in your brain. Kids learn about differential equations, nuclear physics, and the scientific method without realizing they're learning. It models intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, and the willingness to take wild ideas seriously. The 10th anniversary edition adds annotations and new illustrations, making it even richer. Highly entertaining AND educational.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Makes physics genuinely fun by answering questions like 'What if you hit a baseball pitched at 90% the speed of light?' (spoiler: everything explodes)
  • Models intellectual curiosity and scientific thinking—taking silly ideas seriously and following them to their logical conclusions
  • Munroe's signature xkcd comics add visual humor and make complex concepts more accessible
  • The 10th anniversary edition includes new annotations, illustrations, and answers—more bang for your buck
  • Secretly teaches real science (differential equations, nuclear physics, astronomy) while you're laughing about robot apocalypses
⚠

What to Watch For

  • Reading level is middle school and up—younger kids might struggle with the physics concepts even if they love the questions
  • Some scenarios involve hypothetical destruction and annihilation, all played for laughs but might be intense for sensitive readers
  • This is a 'read and ponder' book, not a quick page-turner—best for kids who enjoy thinking deeply about weird ideas

Conversation Starters

  • "If you could ask Randall Munroe one ridiculous 'what if' question, what would it be?"
  • "Which scenario in the book do you think would actually be the most dangerous in real life?"
  • "How does he figure out the answers to these questions? What tools and knowledge does he use?"
  • "Can you think of a time when asking a 'stupid' question led to something really interesting?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about What If?? Put this WISE score on your site