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Phineas L. MacGuire #1
Erupts! the First Experiment
Fourth-grade science whiz Phineas MacGuire is forced to team up with the new boy in class on a science fair project, but the boy's quirky personality causes Phineas to wonder if they have any chance of winning.
139 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
23 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Frances O'Roark Dowell
44 books402 followersWhile Frances O'Roark Dowell (Dovey Coe, The Secret Language of Girls, Trouble the Water) is best known for her award-winning novels, she also hosts the popular "Off-Kilter Quilt" podcast, where she talks about her latest quilt projects with friends and fellow quilters around the globe. Her own little corner of the globe is Durham, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and a dog named Travis. Connect with her online at FrancesDowell.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
December 18, 2008
This is a funny book about friendship and school. I agree with another reader who said, hang with it, it gets better as you get into it. Mac's friendship with Ben does develop and feels realistic. But I think there are better school stories that appeal to this age group: Frindle, Fourth Grade Rats, or the Hank Zipzer series.
September 17, 2017
"Phineas L. MacGuire .... Erupts!" Is a pretty good book, although I think it's below the Seventh Grade reading level.
October 23, 2023
Cute book! Although I know I was not the targeted audience, I enjoyed it!
Read
November 25, 2024Battle of the books 2024
March 28, 2008
I loved this book! It's a great read for science lovers (science experiments). I would recommend it for 3rd and beginning 4th graders. This is the first book of the series. It's about Phineas (aka Mac) who is starting 4th grade and loves all things related to science. Well, in the beginning of 4th grade his best friend moves away and he ends up being paired up with another boy named Mac (Mac R.) for the annual science fair. Mac and Mac R. are mortal enemies so mayhem ensues, but it all works out in the end.
The end of the book even tell readers how to do the science experiements that are talked about in the book.
The end of the book even tell readers how to do the science experiements that are talked about in the book.
April 24, 2013
Loved this story! So cute and fun, I read it in one hour! This would be a great read for teacher to their students. It is about a 4th grade boy and science fair. I really like this author, I have read several of her books and intend on reading the rest.
October 6, 2017
Here's what you need to know about Phineas L. MacGuire, boy-scientist extraordinaire, aka Mac:
1. He's allergic to purple, telephone calls, and girls, and can prove it.
2. He's probably the world's expert on mold, including which has the highest stink potential.
3. He does not have a best friend. He does, however, have an un-best friend, who he does not -- repeat, not -- want to upgrade to best friend status.
But disaster strikes when his teacher pairs Mac and his un-best friend together for the upcoming science fair. Worse, this un-best friend wants the project to be on dinosaurs, which is so third grade. Worse still, it seems as though everyone else in his class finds the un-best friend as unlikeable as Mac does. But, being a boy-scientist, once Mac notices this, he just might have to do some investigating....
Cute story - fast read. Moving on.
1. He's allergic to purple, telephone calls, and girls, and can prove it.
2. He's probably the world's expert on mold, including which has the highest stink potential.
3. He does not have a best friend. He does, however, have an un-best friend, who he does not -- repeat, not -- want to upgrade to best friend status.
But disaster strikes when his teacher pairs Mac and his un-best friend together for the upcoming science fair. Worse, this un-best friend wants the project to be on dinosaurs, which is so third grade. Worse still, it seems as though everyone else in his class finds the un-best friend as unlikeable as Mac does. But, being a boy-scientist, once Mac notices this, he just might have to do some investigating....
Cute story - fast read. Moving on.
April 3, 2024
Giving this one four stars. Not because it took too long to read. I kept putting off reading it, as I have for a few books, to watch more TV. I’m giving it four of five because I really think I’ve read it before, but it was a little dry this time if I have read it before.
I don’t usually read the same book twice, but have gone through some of Percy Jackson since the show came out and I wanted to compare differences knowing uncle Rick was in charge of the show since they messed up bad on the movie.
I don’t usually read the same book twice, but have gone through some of Percy Jackson since the show came out and I wanted to compare differences knowing uncle Rick was in charge of the show since they messed up bad on the movie.
October 16, 2017
I read this because it's on the Eudora 5th Grade Battle of the Books list, and I'd never heard of it. It's HILARIOUS -- especially the part where he considers making his family's refrigerator a science project -- because of all the great mold it creates. I think that part might make a fun forensics reading for one of my former high school students who could pull it off brilliantly!
August 19, 2018
Enjoyable quick read for Parent/Child book club. I especially liked the way Mack reinvents Mack 2, by having him use his talent to draw comics of the other kids in class...I love the idea that our social status in life/school is changeable. I've always subscribed to that idea...since I was in grade school!
December 11, 2017
A fun super quick, easy read for kids just beginning to dip their toes into the world of chapter books. I liked the number of illustrations and the story was engaging enough that I think kids in grade 3 or so would enjoy it.
December 16, 2017
Great choice for 3rd graders--moving, bullying, friendship, finding your place, science experiments. I've never heard of being allergic to purple ink, but hey, it could happen. Orange dye bothers me, so why not purple dye.
September 28, 2017
for Battle of the Books
February 23, 2018
I just finished reading this with my 9 year old. Its a fun book, fun characters and its a good story. It kept both of us entertained and it reads quickly.
September 5, 2018
It is a good book for people how like science.
April 13, 2020
B. fiction, children's fiction, Grade 3, school, friendship, science, series, (Phineas L. MacGuire #1)
June 15, 2020
It was fine.
April 6, 2022
This is a good quick read.
October 9, 2023
Cute. Read for battle of the books.
January 2, 2019
Fun story about acceptance and friendship with some science sprinkled in. Fine but forgettable.
April 13, 2015
Phineas L. MacGuire Erupts! Is an absolutely hilarious book that would most definitely appeal to young children and teachers alike. I found this book very easy to follow, and humorous to follow along with. I really enjoyed reading about the character of Mac, the nickname of Phineas L. MacGuire. He is a young fourth grade scientist who walks the readers through all of the crazy situations in his life. Mac has a very best friend named Marcus, who is also a scientist, but unfortunately Marcus moves away, and Mac loses his best friend in the fourth grade. Now, Mac is all alone in the fourth grade, trying to ignore the new kid, who is also named Mac. It is so very exciting to see Mac's relationships unfold with the peers in this classroom. Mac is kind of a dorky little kid, and his comments on girls, and other acquaintances is very entertaining to follow.
I would say that the purpose of this book would be an independent read for third to fourth graders. This book is a great book for children who have just started reading chapter books. The content level is not that difficult, and there are pictures throughout the book that accentuate what is going on in the text. I think that this book would be best as an independent read because students would really enjoy putting themselves in Mac's shoes. I also think this book is incredibly relatable for young children, as so many kids have friends move away, and struggle to find new friends. Mac is also a very relatable character, and he would be very easy to relate to as a young child. This book has some diverse content, with topics like friends moving away and parents being divorced. Mac is a great character to show these events, because he is easy to turn a bad situation into a more positive one. Divorce is incredibly common, and it is so important for students to read books that relate to their current situations. While these topics are discussed, they are done in a way that would not make students sad about their situations, but rather help them deal with it.
I would say that the purpose of this book would be an independent read for third to fourth graders. This book is a great book for children who have just started reading chapter books. The content level is not that difficult, and there are pictures throughout the book that accentuate what is going on in the text. I think that this book would be best as an independent read because students would really enjoy putting themselves in Mac's shoes. I also think this book is incredibly relatable for young children, as so many kids have friends move away, and struggle to find new friends. Mac is also a very relatable character, and he would be very easy to relate to as a young child. This book has some diverse content, with topics like friends moving away and parents being divorced. Mac is a great character to show these events, because he is easy to turn a bad situation into a more positive one. Divorce is incredibly common, and it is so important for students to read books that relate to their current situations. While these topics are discussed, they are done in a way that would not make students sad about their situations, but rather help them deal with it.
December 11, 2012
1. Genre: Science Fiction Junior Book
2. Summary: Phineas, who is a young boy that sees everything as a scientific experiment, has to work with a school classmate, Mac, on a science fair project. He learns how to compromise and work with another student as the create a volcanic eruption.
3. Critique:
a) The greatest part about this book is the plot where the two characters have to work together to create a science experiment for the school science fair. They search for ideas on what they both want to do the experiment on.
b) The action in the book deals with familiar everyday problems of today's world that are understood and believed by other children and solved in authentic ways. Older students will be able to relate to this young boy and his collaboration on a science experiment. His partner and him have nothing in common or similar interests, but they learn to use their strenghts in this science fair project.
c) In the end, these two characters worked it out. Ben drew and created the volcano and dinosaurs, and Phineas took care of the science part in the experiment.
4. Curriculum Connection: I think the students will enjoy reading this book. I will use this book for older elementary students when discussing science experiments and scientific process. In the book, Phineas records his observations and tries out his theories. It shows parts of the process used. It also shows students that science can be fun and integrated with drawings and other interests.
2. Summary: Phineas, who is a young boy that sees everything as a scientific experiment, has to work with a school classmate, Mac, on a science fair project. He learns how to compromise and work with another student as the create a volcanic eruption.
3. Critique:
a) The greatest part about this book is the plot where the two characters have to work together to create a science experiment for the school science fair. They search for ideas on what they both want to do the experiment on.
b) The action in the book deals with familiar everyday problems of today's world that are understood and believed by other children and solved in authentic ways. Older students will be able to relate to this young boy and his collaboration on a science experiment. His partner and him have nothing in common or similar interests, but they learn to use their strenghts in this science fair project.
c) In the end, these two characters worked it out. Ben drew and created the volcano and dinosaurs, and Phineas took care of the science part in the experiment.
4. Curriculum Connection: I think the students will enjoy reading this book. I will use this book for older elementary students when discussing science experiments and scientific process. In the book, Phineas records his observations and tries out his theories. It shows parts of the process used. It also shows students that science can be fun and integrated with drawings and other interests.
April 13, 2015
Personal Response:
I really enjoyed this fun book. Mac is a 4th grade scientist who loves volcanoes, any scientific research, is allergic to the color purple, and has just lost his best friend because he moved to Lawrence, Kansas. He does however have an unbestfriend who's name just happens to be Mac too. His 4th grade class calls his unbestfriend Mac R. It turns out the Mac R's real name is actually Ben and he is an amazing artist. Mac and Mac R (Ben) get teamed up to participate in the 4th grade science fair together. This book is chalk full of science projects and laughs. I read the book in one sitting because I enjoyed it so much. I would love to read other books by this particular author if they are anything like this one.
Purpose:
This book could be used in the classroom during a science unit or preparing students for a science fair. It would be a fun independent read for students in 3rd or 4th grade because the students in the book are the same age. This book could be used in the classroom to compare and contrast the two characters named Mac in the book. If a teacher was using the book as a read aloud in the classroom you could preform some of the science experiments that are included in the book. Another activity that go along with this book would be for students to creat a comic book of their lives. Because Mac R. (Ben) creates a comic book of his class when Mac reintroduces him to the class as Ben.
I really enjoyed this fun book. Mac is a 4th grade scientist who loves volcanoes, any scientific research, is allergic to the color purple, and has just lost his best friend because he moved to Lawrence, Kansas. He does however have an unbestfriend who's name just happens to be Mac too. His 4th grade class calls his unbestfriend Mac R. It turns out the Mac R's real name is actually Ben and he is an amazing artist. Mac and Mac R (Ben) get teamed up to participate in the 4th grade science fair together. This book is chalk full of science projects and laughs. I read the book in one sitting because I enjoyed it so much. I would love to read other books by this particular author if they are anything like this one.
Purpose:
This book could be used in the classroom during a science unit or preparing students for a science fair. It would be a fun independent read for students in 3rd or 4th grade because the students in the book are the same age. This book could be used in the classroom to compare and contrast the two characters named Mac in the book. If a teacher was using the book as a read aloud in the classroom you could preform some of the science experiments that are included in the book. Another activity that go along with this book would be for students to creat a comic book of their lives. Because Mac R. (Ben) creates a comic book of his class when Mac reintroduces him to the class as Ben.
October 7, 2008
Mac finds out that his best friend Marcus is moving to Lawrence, Ks only two weeks into the school year. If only he knew that, he could’ve found a new best friend at the start of fourth grade. Then a new kid comes to school, his name is Mac R., and he isn’t very nice to anyone. Mac is really excited for the up coming science fair, although his best friend is gone; he thinks he is still going to be ok going at the project alone. His happiness is soon gone when he is pair up by the teacher with Mac R. He thinks his life as a scientist is over, especially when Mac R. wants to do a volcano. Then he finds out that Mac R. is a great artist, and he has a great talent for drawing comic books. He also learns that Mac R. is really named Ben. Now Mac has two jobs, one to win the science fair, and two, he has to help Ben re-introduce himself to the class so they will like him. The great thing is they love his drawings and forgive him for acting like a jerk and he is finally well liked. The bad news is, the two boys’ lose the science fair, they actually don’t even place, they get an honorable mention ribbon.
1. have the students come up with some different ideas that they might use as a project for a science fair of their own.
2. Have a class project in which you build a volcano and combine it with science so they are learning more about volcanos.
1. have the students come up with some different ideas that they might use as a project for a science fair of their own.
2. Have a class project in which you build a volcano and combine it with science so they are learning more about volcanos.
April 13, 2015
One of the very first things I noticed in this book was that Mac's best friend moved to Lawrence, Kansas, and from that point on I knew I would like this book! I also thought that this book did a good job at making the character seem as if he was actually real. I think this book taught many powerful lessons and that students could take a lot away from this book.
I think that I would use this book as a read aloud book because I think that it would definitely keep the interests of students. A good time to read this book would be right around a school science fair or if a student in the class had recently moved away or moved to the area. I think that students would definitely get a lot out of the lessons in this book about both friendship and going after one's dreams, even if they may seem different from everyone else's. I think that this book has a lot of relatable aspects to the lives of students because it talks about both life at school and home life. It also deals with friendship and just peer relationships in general, which are incredibly important in the life of any young child.
I think this book does a great job addressing any issues a child might be having with relationships with peers in a lighthearted manner. It relates to every day problems students may be facing and I think it is a great book to help address any issues of this sort in the classroom.
I think that I would use this book as a read aloud book because I think that it would definitely keep the interests of students. A good time to read this book would be right around a school science fair or if a student in the class had recently moved away or moved to the area. I think that students would definitely get a lot out of the lessons in this book about both friendship and going after one's dreams, even if they may seem different from everyone else's. I think that this book has a lot of relatable aspects to the lives of students because it talks about both life at school and home life. It also deals with friendship and just peer relationships in general, which are incredibly important in the life of any young child.
I think this book does a great job addressing any issues a child might be having with relationships with peers in a lighthearted manner. It relates to every day problems students may be facing and I think it is a great book to help address any issues of this sort in the classroom.
April 10, 2011
Mac, a boy who wants to be a scientist when he grows up. He has a best friend called Marcus, but Marcus will be no longer here because he needs to move to another country. Mac feels sad because he loses his best friend. However, there is a new student comes, who is called Mac too, but he is Mac R. Mac R is a boy that everyone hates him, but when the science fair comes, he is the partner of Mac. During the project time, Mac finds out that Mac R is not that bad, and he is a great artist. He becomes his best friend, and they also win the science fair’s Honorable Mention.
This is my second book I read in the series. I really like it, especially the experiment that it teaches. I also learn that when you meet a person that you do not know before, you can not think he or she is bad, you need to know them first. Just like Mac R, when he comes because of his idea, people think that he is a bad guy, but when you know him deeply, you will know he is not that bad, and his talent which is art.
This is my second book I read in the series. I really like it, especially the experiment that it teaches. I also learn that when you meet a person that you do not know before, you can not think he or she is bad, you need to know them first. Just like Mac R, when he comes because of his idea, people think that he is a bad guy, but when you know him deeply, you will know he is not that bad, and his talent which is art.
May 16, 2011
So far this book is ok. I'm on page 117 out of 167. Phineas(That's his real name he actually likes to be called Mac) is currently planning out a science experiment with his friend Ben(Ben used to be called Mac but he changed back to his real name.)Mac's old friend moved away to Lawrence,Kansas and he is very sad because they always used to do science experiments together and consider themselves scientists. When Ben first moved to school, he made a bad impression on his class so no one liked him.Especially Mac. He and Mac got paired to be scieence partners for the fourth grade science fair and it turns out Ben is really a pretty cool guy. They make up a plan that they showed to their class so that people wouldn't think MAc is mean anymore. It worked on everyone but one person-a girl named Aretha. Now she is trying so hard to beat them in the science fair and will do anything to stop them. Who will win first prize?
September 4, 2012
Mac, a fourth grade scientist, loses his best friend to another state a couple of weeks into the school year. He feels like a scientific match made in heaven has been broken up. Then moves in the new kid, Mac R. Mac R. introduction to the homeroom class is obnoxious to his fellow classmates. He declares that everything in Seattle is better and that he is smarter than everyone in the fourth grade. Mac R. always says the wrong the thing and makes enemies pretty quick. When Mrs. Tuttle assigns the class to pair up for the science fair competition, Mac is partnered with Mac R. Mac soon finds out that Mac R. is harmless and really is a good guy. They use their complementary talents of scientist (Mac) and art (Mac R.) to create an awesome project. But will Mac be able to convince the rest of the class that Mac R. is an okay guy? A simple story with a good message about second chances.
3-5th grades.
3-5th grades.
May 17, 2009
The book Phineas L. MacGuire....Erupts by Frances O'Roark Dowell is about a boy named Mac who is a scientist of fourth grade in Brookwood Elementary.Everybody likes him because he's a scientist. There is this new student named Mac R. He likes to mess with people, loves dinosaurs, and has a lot of freckles in his face.
The science fair is coming and the teacher assigns classmates to pair in 2's everyone seems to have a partner but 4 people don't and Mac is partnered up with Mac R. What will happen? The settings of this book mostly take place in School, Mac's house, and Mac R/Ben's house.
I think the author wrote this book because he loves to be a scientist, or loves dinosaurs because to me, and to maybe more people this book would seem childish it is, but it's actually really good to read!!
The science fair is coming and the teacher assigns classmates to pair in 2's everyone seems to have a partner but 4 people don't and Mac is partnered up with Mac R. What will happen? The settings of this book mostly take place in School, Mac's house, and Mac R/Ben's house.
I think the author wrote this book because he loves to be a scientist, or loves dinosaurs because to me, and to maybe more people this book would seem childish it is, but it's actually really good to read!!
October 17, 2011
I started reading this book to Michael while he was in the hot tub. He enjoyed each time Mac expressed an emotion he could relate to. While I did not have time yet to finish this book with my son, I did finish it on my own. It was throughly enjoyable. Mac is a very likable main character who sees others in a very objective light. Mac R./Ben is a character who is typical of a 3rd grader...someone who has dealt with his parent's divorce, a dad who doesn't want him to be an artist ( of which he is) and someone is not really being himself in his new environment because that is how some young people behave in stressful situations. This book could be construed as a "boy" book but there is a girl character, "Aretha" who plays several roles in this story. I think this book has a lot in it and could open up some useful discussions within families as well as within groups of children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews