Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger: Frank Einstein, Book 2
By Darienne Stewart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Lots of solid science in fun, goofy sequel about energy.
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What's the Story?
Kid genius Frank Einstein is dreaming up a way to provide free, wireless electricity to the town of Midville. Meanwhile, his nasty rival, T. Edison, is plotting to make the entire town dependent on him for energy. Edison and his sidekick, Mr. Chimp, begin to systematically destroy the town's electrical plants. Frank, his friend Watson, and robot pals Klink and Klank explore Newton's laws of motion, experiment with electricity, and build a static-electricity finger that could blow up Edison and Mr. Chimp's plans.
Is It Any Good?
FRANK EINSTEIN AND THE ELECTRO-FINGER: BOOK 2 is a fun way to explore energy in its many forms, including magnetic, electrical, and mechanical. Jon Scieszka lays out a simple, concise explanation of how energy works, with great help from diagrams and illustrations by Brian Biggs. The plot development is a little clunky: The science is explained well, but it bogs down the early story and may lose impatient young readers. Some plot elements -- such as friend Janegoodall and an angry mob pursuing the heroes -- come and go in disjointed fashion.
It's an ideal fit for kids who enjoy science and are eager to linger over diagrams and explanations. As with any good teacher, Scieszka draws connections to history, literature, and some pop culture; he works in references to William Wadsworth Longfellow, Tarzan, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Now that the Frank Einstein series has covered matter and energy, upcoming books will take a scientific look at humans, life, Earth, and the universe.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how science is integrated into the story. Is it easier to learn complex concepts within a story like this or in a textbook?
How does the crowd's reaction to Frank's electro-finger escalate? Do you think people are so quick to make assumptions when they aren't in a crowd?
Try carrying out some of the simple experiments in the book involving charged particles.
Book Details
- Author: Jon Scieszka
- Illustrator: Brian Biggs
- Genre: Science
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Science and Nature
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Amulet Books
- Publication date: March 17, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 176
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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