Science Fair (by Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson)
common sense media says
Both hilarious and fast-paced -- a great vacation read.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this story involves a terrorist plot to cause widespread panic through power outages -- the motives are silly ones, however, and not revealed until close to the end. A fake third-world country is also depicted in a very silly manor -- both its government and customs. The main character, Toby, makes some bad calls -- like selling his dad's Star Wars stuff behind his back to buy a computer -- but in the end he tirelessly tries to save the country, even though no one will believe him. The affluent kids at his school are all depicted in a negative light, cheating on their science fair projects and getting their parents to acquire top-secret technology to complete them. There are plenty of chases and escapes, none too scary, and many products play prominent roles in the story like the iPhone, Diet Coke, and Mentos.
Violence:
Plenty of chase scenes involving middle schoolers, the FBI, and crazed Star Wars fans, both on foot and in cars. A terrorist plot involves creating widespread panic through power outages across the country, with the end goal of disabling the U.S. government.
Sex:
Not applicable.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Diet Coke, Mentos, an iPhone, the Wienermobile, Barbie, and Star Wars all play roles in the story, plus there are plenty of mentions of Starbucks and Google. Two bumbling spies get credit cards from the home shopping channel and buy up as much stuff as they can, even if they don't know what it is.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
A mention by one stressed dad that he needs a drink.
More on Science Fair
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
alexa5225
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
This amazing book blew me away!
i loved this book! ii started reading it for a read- a- thon and only reading it to get the most minutes posible so my class could wim, but as i got farther in to this book it pulled me in by the time i got to around the fifth chapter i was hooked. the more pages i read , the more i liked it and i finished the book the day i started it.
the reason i rated this nine and up isn't for any bad lanuage or eaviors, but for the plot. kids may have troble understanding and keeping track of the series of events. it is a very fast paced book and lot of fun to read perfect for any body who loves to read!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
An independent voice for families
Advice on the big issues
Already read it? What do you think?
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
