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Halley Harper, Science Girl Extraordinaire #1
Summer Set in Motion
2022 Bronze Winner in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards2022 Readers' Favorite Award - Children Grade 4th-6th Genre In the first book of the Halley Harper series, despite being named after Halley's comet, 9 year old science-loving Halley Harper overhears someone calling her a square peg in a round hole and almost believes it to be true. Then an adventure to summer camp takes her on a journey to use her quirky love of science to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. Will she save her beloved summer camp, her friends, and even herself using the Laws of Motion? Make sure to grab the second book in the series, The Friendship Experiment.
- GenresChildrensMiddle Grade
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2017
112 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 11, 2020
I heard about this book through an online homeschool STEM conference and was looking forward to having my kids learn science in story form. I started reading the book as a light read on an airplane this weekend to see what it was like, and I was so disappointed with the attitudes of the characters that I'm not sure I want to finish it or pass it on to my daughters. Sure there is some fun science in there--making oobleck and learning about Newton's cradle, for example--but it also teaches you to spy on your parents and plant booby traps for people you don't like. The writing is just okay. It was weird to have a chapter open with Halley at a dance recital but not really give any details and then all of a sudden she was home and on to the next subject. It was also weird that the camp director came up to the two girls all angry but then went on to explain the science behind what they were playing with. Is that how adults inspire learning in their students? The characters were not well developed and their emotions/reactions are confusing. I didn't love that the adults are presented as strict, stuffy, non-supportive people to be scared of. Dad is nice, but that just pits him against Mom. Even the two camp directors are mean and snooty and don't think girls should be at science camp (they're both women, by the way), and the camp counselor's first impression of the girls when they sleep in isn't great either. Give the kids some slack, folks. I finally figured out on page 57 that Halley is only 9. The thoughtful quotes from scientists and the fun experiments did not line up with the attitudes of the people. Are we motivating young girls to pursue science, or are we still just shooting them down? Do the adults actually love science and want the kids to learn, or are they just rule-keepers? I did not finish the book to see if that gets better. Maybe the book does end in a more inspiring way. It may have been my mood while traveling, but I really wasn't impressed here, sorry. I did relate to parts of it--I have a daughter that is always doing experiments in the kitchen; I have ruined the garbage disposal by pouring a liquid down there that hardened up; and I'm from Houston, Texas. But this is not the sort of living book I will use in my homeschool. I was so sad that Halley heard her mother bad-mouthing her to a friend. And it didn't get better for me after that. I'm sure you can talk about all that with your children, but there are so many other ways to teach science.
July 6, 2019
I really liked “Summer Set in Motion”, which is the first book in the “Halley Harper, Science Girl Extraordinaire” chapter book series by Tracy Borgmeyer.
The main character Halley is a 9-year-old girl, named after Halley’s Comet. She loves ballet and poetry, however her favorite thing in the whole world is science. She does a lot of science experiments at home, but, unfortunately, they often end up pretty messy.
This doesn’t please Halley’s mom, and when the last experiment with Oobleck leads to a total disaster in the kitchen, Halley is on the verge of being banned from doing science at home. Halley feels desperate, but luckily her mom agrees to send her to a summer science camp with her best friend Gracelyn.
At first, the science camp doesn’t seem welcoming to Halley and Gracelyn, being the only girl campers there. But soon they start having fun with the team challenges, where they need to use science to win, and even make friends with a boy camper. And when strange accidents start to happen, Halley has to use her courage and scientific skills to try to prevent the camp from being closed forever.
I loved that, although Halley’s dad calls her Miss Disaster, he actually supports Halley’s interest in science. He even built her a treelab playhouse, where she can safely do her science experiments, and gave her his old science books.
The story seamlessly integrates explanations of Newton’s Laws of Motion, Non-Newtonian fluids, Newton’s Cradle, as well as quotes by famous scientists. In addition, kids will love the detailed instructions for Oobleck and the Balloon Rocket Race, provided at the end of the book.
This engaging story with great characters, messy science experiments and fun adventures will be a perfect fit for STEM-loving kids.
This is a longer book (around 30-35k words), with a few black & white illustrations, and is best suited for 9-12-year-old kids who are confident readers.
The main character Halley is a 9-year-old girl, named after Halley’s Comet. She loves ballet and poetry, however her favorite thing in the whole world is science. She does a lot of science experiments at home, but, unfortunately, they often end up pretty messy.
This doesn’t please Halley’s mom, and when the last experiment with Oobleck leads to a total disaster in the kitchen, Halley is on the verge of being banned from doing science at home. Halley feels desperate, but luckily her mom agrees to send her to a summer science camp with her best friend Gracelyn.
At first, the science camp doesn’t seem welcoming to Halley and Gracelyn, being the only girl campers there. But soon they start having fun with the team challenges, where they need to use science to win, and even make friends with a boy camper. And when strange accidents start to happen, Halley has to use her courage and scientific skills to try to prevent the camp from being closed forever.
I loved that, although Halley’s dad calls her Miss Disaster, he actually supports Halley’s interest in science. He even built her a treelab playhouse, where she can safely do her science experiments, and gave her his old science books.
The story seamlessly integrates explanations of Newton’s Laws of Motion, Non-Newtonian fluids, Newton’s Cradle, as well as quotes by famous scientists. In addition, kids will love the detailed instructions for Oobleck and the Balloon Rocket Race, provided at the end of the book.
This engaging story with great characters, messy science experiments and fun adventures will be a perfect fit for STEM-loving kids.
This is a longer book (around 30-35k words), with a few black & white illustrations, and is best suited for 9-12-year-old kids who are confident readers.
December 18, 2020
Why does a book exist that is full of adults who go out of their way to discourage learning and curiosity? And instead of rising above or something, why does the child protagonist spend the summer pulling “pranks” on people she doesn’t like? There is nothing redeeming at all about this book. Not even the tossed-in scientific definitions and explanations.
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December 4, 2025I want to thank the Author Tracy Borgmeyer and the publisher Tandem Services Press for my free Amazon copy I received of Halley Harper Science Girl Extraordinaire Summer Set in Motion.
I found this book not only entertaining but also educational about Newton's Law of Motion. This book will want to make kids, pre-teens, teenagers. and adults enjoy science and have fun with supervision.
Honestly, I could tell right away Ms. Spark did not want to be at the camp and every time something went wrong she automatically blamed Halley. I am honestly glad that Halley was able to prove Ms. Spark was against the camp. I did love how mysterious everything happened.
This is a good educational read and that is why I am giving this book 5 stars.
I found this book not only entertaining but also educational about Newton's Law of Motion. This book will want to make kids, pre-teens, teenagers. and adults enjoy science and have fun with supervision.
Honestly, I could tell right away Ms. Spark did not want to be at the camp and every time something went wrong she automatically blamed Halley. I am honestly glad that Halley was able to prove Ms. Spark was against the camp. I did love how mysterious everything happened.
This is a good educational read and that is why I am giving this book 5 stars.
August 15, 2020
Halley Harper is named after Halley's comet, 9-year-old science girl overhears someone calling her a square peg in a round hole and almost believes it to be true. Then an adventure to summer camp takes her on a journey to use her quirky love of science to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. Will she save her beloved summer camp, her friends, and even herself using the Laws of Motion?
I loved this story, and I know my kids will like it as well. Full of fun and adventure. Many scenes will give kids something to think about. It's okay to be different and you are important. Hailey discovered this important lesson. (The lesson delivered in a fun way.)
I loved this story, and I know my kids will like it as well. Full of fun and adventure. Many scenes will give kids something to think about. It's okay to be different and you are important. Hailey discovered this important lesson. (The lesson delivered in a fun way.)
October 1, 2023
What a fun and creative book celebrating the joy of science!
Author Tracy Borgmeyer, who is actually a chemical engineer, has done an amazing job creating an entertaining book that also inspires curiosity in science. Besides a great plot, fun characters, and interesting science experiments, are fun details adults will appreciate, like Lake Archimedes and a cafeteria at Camp Eureka named Pie Are Square.
I highly recommend this book for the kids in your life (whatever the age)… Plus, there are project instructions at the end so that you can try a couple of the experiments at home!
Author Tracy Borgmeyer, who is actually a chemical engineer, has done an amazing job creating an entertaining book that also inspires curiosity in science. Besides a great plot, fun characters, and interesting science experiments, are fun details adults will appreciate, like Lake Archimedes and a cafeteria at Camp Eureka named Pie Are Square.
I highly recommend this book for the kids in your life (whatever the age)… Plus, there are project instructions at the end so that you can try a couple of the experiments at home!
June 19, 2019
Halley is a quirky, mischievous girl who loves science. You can't help but fall in love with this adorable character and her scientific escapades. Her best friend is a great counter part to her sometimes frenetic energy.
In this book Halley and Gracelyn go to science camp. To find out the adventures they get themselves into you'll have to pick up this great read for anyone that is a scientist at heart.
In this book Halley and Gracelyn go to science camp. To find out the adventures they get themselves into you'll have to pick up this great read for anyone that is a scientist at heart.
May 17, 2018
I read this for my daughter's book club. I love how it feeds into science and the fun of science. The girls mother isn't the best example for kindness but it made a good talking point. Sometimes negative aspects can teach as much as positive.
We also loved that the author is a local.
We also loved that the author is a local.
March 18, 2023
What a great book! It captured my heart right from the start and on to the very last page! I honestly learned a lot and didn't know at first that some of the experiments were even "real!" Thank you to the author!
August 31, 2018
Cute story
Great science information mixed in with an exciting little story. I think any kid would enjoy reading this book. :)
Great science information mixed in with an exciting little story. I think any kid would enjoy reading this book. :)
November 22, 2023
I knew a lot of the science in this in 3rd grade, and it was the reading level of books I read then, so I think it would be fine for 3rd grade students. It was a fun book. The ebook could use more editing.
Because there are descriptions for doing experiments appearing in the book, I suspect children will be tempted to do them.
Because there are descriptions for doing experiments appearing in the book, I suspect children will be tempted to do them.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews