Genius Factor: How to Catch an Invisible Cat

Nate Bannister conducts strange experiments and follows a rule of doing three ridiculous things each week. His classmate Delphine Cooper becomes drawn into his world of science and oddities when Nate creates an invisible cat that escapes into their town. The two sixth-graders must work together to catch the destructive invisible cat before it causes chaos throughout the city. Their pursuit leads them through laboratories and city streets while they attempt to outsmart both the cat and the mysterious organization known as Red Death Tea Society. The story combines real scientific concepts with imaginative scenarios and inventions. At its core, this middle-grade novel explores friendship, ingenuity, and the balance between creativity and responsibility.

Readers describe this middle-grade book as a fun science-based adventure with quirky humor. Parents note it appeals to children aged 7-12 who enjoy STEM topics. Readers appreciated: - Clear, accessible explanations of scientific concepts - The friendship between main characters Nate and Delphine - Illustrations that complement the story - Appeal to both reluctant and advanced readers Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few parents noted complex vocabulary for younger readers - Several mentioned wanting more character development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (89 ratings) "Perfect for kids who love science and silly adventures" - Parent reviewer on Amazon "My 9-year-old loved the experiments and inventions" - Goodreads review "The cat plot gets a bit meandering" - School librarian review on Goodreads The book leads to kids asking questions about science and attempting their own experiments, according to multiple parent reviews.

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🔬 Author Paul Tobin originally worked in comic books, writing for Marvel Comics and Dark Horse Comics before transitioning to children's novels. 🐱 The book's main character, Nate Bannister, conducts three not-entirely-legal experiments every Friday, calling it "Friday the 13th" regardless of the actual date. 🧪 While the story is fiction, many of the scientific concepts mentioned in the book are based on real principles of physics, including experiments with light refraction and electromagnetic fields. 🎮 The series was inspired by the author's love of both science and video games, particularly puzzle-solving games that require creative thinking. 📚 The invisible cat in the story, Proton, was named after subatomic particles, reflecting the book's theme of blending scientific concepts with whimsical storytelling.