Science Fair

A middle school science fair becomes the unlikely center of an international plot when a fictional Eastern European nation seeks revenge against the United States. The story takes place at Hubble Middle School in Maryland, where wealthy students routinely dominate the annual competition through questionable means. Toby Harbinger, a student tired of seeing the privileged kids from Manor Estates win every year, launches his own investigation into suspected cheating at the science fair. His quest leads him to uncover connections between the school's new janitor, a mysterious mall shop owner, and a series of unusual events surrounding the competition. The story combines elements of middle school drama, international espionage, and science fair competition in a fast-paced narrative set against the backdrop of contemporary American suburbia. The plot brings together unlikely allies and adversaries as events escalate beyond a simple school competition. The novel explores themes of fairness, privilege, and the unexpected ways global politics can intersect with everyday life in an American middle school. It presents a commentary on academic competition and the lengths people will go to achieve their goals.

Readers describe this middle-grade novel as funny and fast-paced, with many noting it successfully blends science fiction and humor. Parents report their kids aged 9-13 particularly enjoy the school setting and scientific elements. Liked: - Entertaining dialogue and jokes that appeal to both kids and adults - Educational aspects woven naturally into the story - Strong main characters that kids relate to - Action sequences keep reluctant readers engaged Disliked: - Some found the plot overly complex for younger readers - Several mention it starts slowly before picking up - A few readers noted similarities to other middle-grade science novels Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (120+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Perfect for kids who like both science and comedy," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader noted: "The science fair angle makes this more unique than standard spy stories for this age group."

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🔬 Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson also co-authored the bestselling "Peter and the Starcatchers" series, bringing their collaborative storytelling expertise to this science fair adventure. 🏫 The story's setting, a prestigious Maryland middle school, draws inspiration from the region's actual concentration of government agencies and international organizations. 🧪 Science fair projects featured in the book range from realistic student experiments to hilariously over-the-top creations, reflecting Dave Barry's signature humor style from his Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columns. 🌍 The fictional Eastern European nation in the story follows a literary tradition of invented countries in children's literature, similar to those in works like "The Princess Diaries" and "Ruritanian romances." 📚 The book uniquely combines elements of school story, spy thriller, and comedy genres - a blend that was relatively uncommon in middle-grade literature at the time of its 2008 publication.