Mind Games: A Funny and Engaging Story About ESP and Friendship for Children

by Jeanne Marie Grunwell

Six Clearview Middle School seventh-graders are $500 richer after buying a Maryland State Lottery ticket this week in order to test a scientific hypothesis.

Benjamin Lloyd, 12, whose father purchased the winning ticket, declined to discuss details of the students’ experiment, citing concerns of competition in the March 13 state science fair. . . . Mr. Ennis was as tight-lipped as his students regarding the nature of their experiment. “They plan to go public at the science fair. And that’s about all I can say. But,” he said, grinning, “I do predict a win.”

Thus reads an article in the Waverly Times, which is Exhibit Ain the Mad Science Club’s report to prove the existence of ESP. As told through the individual voices of a diverse cast of characters, Mind Games crackles with personality. Discoveries from the paranormal to the personal abound in this insightful exploration of friendship, science, ESP—and the lottery.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Jeanne Marie Grunwell has fond memories of her eighth-grade science fair project on ESP. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter, and two black cats.

Reviews

[Meribeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multiple voices characterize Grunwell’s premier novel detailing a middle school science fair project. Especially appealing is the cover, fashioned to look like a marbled black and white notebook. All six members of the Mad Science Club present their work to investigate ESP (extra sensory perception). The characters’ distinct voices and their surprising win of the Maryland lottery do not overshadow their discoveries about themselves, each other and their project. At times serious, the reader will more often find her or himself laughing with the individuals as they report on their problems, research, and experiments in pursuit of paranormal experiences.

[Connie T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A group of teens join together to work on a science fair project to determine if ESP exists. The book is written to resemble the science report, with each section being written by a different character. As each teen chimes in and reflects upon their part of the project, the reader becomes aware of the social dynamics of the group. The "official" topic is ESP but through the project the teens explore friendship and relationships, each growing in their own way. As with many projects (perhaps the best projects?) the lessons learned aren't the ones intended and go far beyond the original goal.

It gets 2 stars rather than 3 because I really can't remember much about the book.

[Leora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grunwell does a masterful job of presenting the stories of six very different young people through their science project. Although each student has a unique story to tell, the telling is done indirectly, and the reader must put the pieces together, making a short, easy read both challenging and rewarding.
As a teacher, I appreciate Mind Games as an exercise in literacy and problem solving. As a reader, I am drawn into the lives of the characters.

A note to teachers:
I have developed a novel study for Mind Games and am happy to share it with anyone who is interested. Just send me a message through goodreads.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is told in the form of a science project write-up, complete with "data."

Not bad and also handily leaves the question of whether ESP exists up to the reader at the end.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six middle-school students take on ESP as a science project. Recommended for those that liked The Homework Machine by Gutman.

[Susan O'connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok too easy to read and just not for me

[Alexander Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok...

[Taylor Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was good