Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Scientific smarts and goofy humor are a winning experiment.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Frank Einstein's first attempt to build a SmartBot -- and win science prize money to pay his Grampa Al's bills -- fizzles. But a lightning storm provides the needed jolt for two artificial-intelligence robots named Klink and Klank to assemble themselves in his garage lab and help Frank and his friend Watson work on a prize-winning invention: an antimatter motor. But then their nemesis, T. Edison, steals Klink and Klank to try to beat Frank to the prize -- and seize Grampa Al's home, as well.
Is It Any Good?
FRANK EINSTEIN AND THE ANTIMATTER MOTOR kicks off Jon Scieszka's science-based series with a satisfying bang. Frank's an enjoyable character with a good heart and a Sherlock Holmes-style knack for seeing several moves ahead of everyone else. Science is woven into the narrative at every step. Some of the particulars may be beyond younger readers, but there's enough here to keep them engaged and appeal to kids with a strong interest in science.
Brian Biggs' plentiful black-and-red illustrations will lure even reluctant readers, who may find themselves poring over a diagram of an eyeball or an illustration showing how a singing fish toy can be rigged to a doorbell. Don't be surprised if your aspiring tinkerer starts asking for a garage lab of his own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the diagrams complement the story. Do you find it easier to understand information written out or illustrated in a diagram -- or does it depend on what you're learning?
Does knowing why things happen -- for example, why a sunset is so colorful -- add or take away from the everyday magic around you?
Try making a diagram explaining how one of your toys works.
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Brian Biggs
- Genre : Science
- Topics : Adventures , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Amulet Books
- Publication date : August 19, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 192
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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