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Fans of Jennifer Holm's The Fourteenth Goldfish will fall in love with this humorous story about one boy's school science project that goes terribly wrong. Perfect for STEM curricula.
Despite the disapproval of his parents and his formidable science teacher, nine-year-old Allen is determined to do his school science project on human photosynthesis--turning sunlight into food for humans.
Everyone laughs at his outrageous scheme until Allen turns green, sprouts roots, and develops an overwhelming desire to soak up the sun. He's turning into a plant and no one believes him--no one, that is, except the President of the United States.
Can Allen protect his top secret discovery and ace his science project without being a threat to national security?
About the author
John Reynolds Gardiner wrote a number of books for children, including Stone Fox and General Butterfingers. He was also an engineer by profession. A native of Los Angeles, he lived in West Germany, Central America, and Idaho, before settling back down in California with his wife and daughters. He passed away in 2006.
Marc Simont illustrated more than a hundred children's books including the Caldecott Medal Winner A Tree is Nice. He also received a Caldecott Honor and worked with authors including Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (on the Nate the Great series) and Margaret Wise Brown. Simont and his wife lived in West Cornwall, Connecticut before his passing in 2013.
Summary
A funny and absurdist classic for fans of Gordon Korman and Jennifer Holm, about a boy who’s convinced he can photosynthesize for his school science project … and just maybe he can?
I’m writing this down in case something should happen to me. There’s a brown car parked outside in the street with two men in it. They’re watching the house…
So begins the highly confidential case history of Allen Brewster, the boy who has an amazing idea for his school science project: human photosynthesis, turning sunlight into food for humans. Everyone laughs at his outrageous scheme — until Allen turns green, sprouts roots, and develops an overwhelming desire to soak up the sun. He's turning into a plant!
But no one will believe he isn’t playing a practical joke. No one, that is, except the President of the United States … who declares Allen a threat to national security. Suddenly Allen Brewster and his discovery are TOP SECRET.
Can Allen protect his classified discovery and ace his science project without being a threat to the country? Find out in this wacky and whimsical illustrated classic, in the tradition of Pippi Longstocking and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.
Perfect for …
★ Fans of The Superteacher Project by Gordon Korman
★ Budding scientists
★ Fans of Frindle by Andrew Clements
★ Science fair enthusiasts
★ Fans of The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
★ Readers of The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids by Marcia T. Jones and Debbie Dadey
