I was going to suggest "Understanding physics" by Asimov. I think "On physics" is a collection of essays where "Understanding physics" is more a complete bottom-up treatment like Petzold's "Code".
When I was in HS, I found Asimov’s “World of Carbon” on a book shelf in my second trimester Chemistry class, read it, and then proceeded to ace Organic Chemistry when it was presented during third trimester.
