Franken-sci High: What’s The Matter with Newton? By Mark Young - ADVISABLE

Franken-sci High: What’s The Matter with Newton? By Mark Young, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum, 172 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2019. $18

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Newton wakes up disoriented and without any memory in a high school for the descendants of mad scientists. Luckily there are two classmates right there who are ready to help him find out who he is and help him thrive in the new high school. Together they navigate friendship jealousy, classmate competition, and science fair mayhem. 

The high school setting may suggest an older reading audience, but the writing and content actually lines up pretty well for a 2nd or 3rd grade reader. The book is full of mad science delights and should keep most readers interested, if not always in the plot then certainly in the inventions and creations of the students in this book. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher