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Franken-Sci High #1
What's the Matter with Newton?
It takes a lot to stand out at a school for mad scientists—but Newton Warp is unlike anyone (or anything) else at Franken-Sci High in this first book in a wacky series created with The Jim Henson Company.
Franken-Sci High is the only school in the world for aspiring mad scientists and it’s located on a craggy island in the Bermuda Triangle, of course! While some mad scientists are power-hungry maniacs, the school was founded in 1536 as a refuge for generations of brilliant—and yes, eccentric—young minds. Students are encouraged to use their brainpower for good, but the teachers accept that some kids will still want to take over the world…and the school cafeteria.
In the first book in the series, What’s the Matter with Newton?, Newton Warp is a mystery, even to himself: He wakes up one day in the library with no idea of who he is, how he got there, or where he came from. Newton is quickly assigned to a dorm and makes a friend: Shelly Ravenholt, who creates living, breathing monsters for fun. He’s eager to find out who his family is, but this is high school after all, and he soon has other problems: Newton has to create a last-minute project for the Mad Science Fair and Shelly’s friend Theremin (a robot) is really jealous of him. And that’s not all: the other students at Franken-Sci High soon realize that Newton has a few useful, but surprising quirks. Wherever Newton came from, they start to suspect that he’s not entirely human!
TM & © 2019 The Jim Henson Company
Franken-Sci High is the only school in the world for aspiring mad scientists and it’s located on a craggy island in the Bermuda Triangle, of course! While some mad scientists are power-hungry maniacs, the school was founded in 1536 as a refuge for generations of brilliant—and yes, eccentric—young minds. Students are encouraged to use their brainpower for good, but the teachers accept that some kids will still want to take over the world…and the school cafeteria.
In the first book in the series, What’s the Matter with Newton?, Newton Warp is a mystery, even to himself: He wakes up one day in the library with no idea of who he is, how he got there, or where he came from. Newton is quickly assigned to a dorm and makes a friend: Shelly Ravenholt, who creates living, breathing monsters for fun. He’s eager to find out who his family is, but this is high school after all, and he soon has other problems: Newton has to create a last-minute project for the Mad Science Fair and Shelly’s friend Theremin (a robot) is really jealous of him. And that’s not all: the other students at Franken-Sci High soon realize that Newton has a few useful, but surprising quirks. Wherever Newton came from, they start to suspect that he’s not entirely human!
TM & © 2019 The Jim Henson Company
- GenresMiddle Grade
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2019
5 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Mark Young
261 books26 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 14, 2020
| Read on Reader Fox |
I'm about 80% sure that the main reason I picked up this book was because the Jim Henson company was behind getting it published. In retrospect, What's the Matter with Newton? from the Franken-Sci High series by Mark Young and illustrated by Rustamn Hasanov doesn't really remind me much of Jim Henson. That said, it was still a very cute and enjoyable read, though definitely for a younger audience.
A School for Mad Scientists
I'll be honest, this is probably one of the goofiest books I've ever read. It was cute and certainly engaging, the sort of book I'm sure would keep many middle school readers quite engaged. It has some of the most adorable illustrations and seriously fascinating characters. The plot, admittedly, is somewhat meh-ish for older readers like myself, but I feel as though this is the sort of book that's bound to become a childhood favorite.
Especially if you're the sort who loves spooky science.
As a Series
In general, I wasn't in love with this book. I think it's fantastic, however, for young readers anywhere from 8-12. The book features a cast of diverse characters and some seriously excellent artwork. From what I can tell, there are various important messages included alongside the plot and overall the story-line is bound to keep kids quite engaged. What's great is that there are already five books out in this series, with a sixth on the way.
If you've got a middle grade aged kid who loves monsters and science and all kinds of wild adventures, this one might be worth taking a look at.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I'm about 80% sure that the main reason I picked up this book was because the Jim Henson company was behind getting it published. In retrospect, What's the Matter with Newton? from the Franken-Sci High series by Mark Young and illustrated by Rustamn Hasanov doesn't really remind me much of Jim Henson. That said, it was still a very cute and enjoyable read, though definitely for a younger audience.
A School for Mad Scientists
I'll be honest, this is probably one of the goofiest books I've ever read. It was cute and certainly engaging, the sort of book I'm sure would keep many middle school readers quite engaged. It has some of the most adorable illustrations and seriously fascinating characters. The plot, admittedly, is somewhat meh-ish for older readers like myself, but I feel as though this is the sort of book that's bound to become a childhood favorite.
Especially if you're the sort who loves spooky science.
As a Series
In general, I wasn't in love with this book. I think it's fantastic, however, for young readers anywhere from 8-12. The book features a cast of diverse characters and some seriously excellent artwork. From what I can tell, there are various important messages included alongside the plot and overall the story-line is bound to keep kids quite engaged. What's great is that there are already five books out in this series, with a sixth on the way.
If you've got a middle grade aged kid who loves monsters and science and all kinds of wild adventures, this one might be worth taking a look at.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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July 8, 2020
Franken-sci High: What’s The Matter with Newton? By Mark Young, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum, 172 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2019. $18
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Newton wakes up disoriented and without any memory in a high school for the descendants of mad scientists. Luckily there are two classmates right there who are ready to help him find out who he is and help him thrive in the new high school. Together they navigate friendship jealousy, classmate competition, and science fair mayhem.
The high school setting may suggest an older reading audience, but the writing and content actually lines up pretty well for a 2nd or 3rd grade reader. The book is full of mad science delights and should keep most readers interested, if not always in the plot then certainly in the inventions and creations of the students in this book.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Newton wakes up disoriented and without any memory in a high school for the descendants of mad scientists. Luckily there are two classmates right there who are ready to help him find out who he is and help him thrive in the new high school. Together they navigate friendship jealousy, classmate competition, and science fair mayhem.
The high school setting may suggest an older reading audience, but the writing and content actually lines up pretty well for a 2nd or 3rd grade reader. The book is full of mad science delights and should keep most readers interested, if not always in the plot then certainly in the inventions and creations of the students in this book.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
October 31, 2024
This is the first book in a middle grade school series that is sure to get kids thinking of science and fantasy. This special high school is full of smart kids and the big project is the science fair. However, Newton is so new he doesn’t remember anything. He doesn’t know how he got to the high school or where he came from. But he knows he’s supposed to be there and now hast to not only fit in figure out if he can be as mad scientist as everyone else. Reading this book reminds me of the Pixar movie Meet the Robinsons. The idea that science can do anything if you only put imagination to it. This book and was fun. The worldbuilding was unique and I’m not ready to see this end. Apparently, there are six books and I plan to finish this series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews