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Registered Members => Book Talk => Topic started by: KeithM on April 24, 2019, 06:03 AM

Title: Middle grade fiction for kids who are into science
Post by: KeithM on April 24, 2019, 06:03 AM

I'm wondering about recent middle grade books that are for kids who are really into science. Books that have scientist characters, maybe, or involve scientific ideas. Science fiction recs are great but I'm wondering also about books that aren't really sci-fi. Like, about real kids who are obsessed by some scientific idea or maybe learning about environmental or medical issues, who knows? Any and everything! Thanks!

Title: Re: Middle grade fiction for kids who are into science
Post by: andracill on April 24, 2019, 07:00 AM

It's not super recent (ie, 8 years ago?), but Nancy Viau's Samantha Hanson Has Rocks in Her Head was one my daughter (who loves geology) enjoyed.

Kate Messner wrote three lower middle grade books with a main character who liked biology and environmentalism (the Marty McGuire books). My daughter enjoyed the first of those, as well (before she grew out of the age range). Messner also has a lower YA called Eye of the Storm about a girl who's fascinated by weather and studies it with her father (it kind of moves into the realm of sci-fi a little).

Title: Re: Middle grade fiction for kids who are into science
Post by: dewsanddamps on April 24, 2019, 07:14 AM

 The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, Jacquelyn Kelly.

Title: Re: Middle grade fiction for kids who are into science
Post by: Vijaya on April 24, 2019, 07:26 AM

These aren't new but these are the MG books that have stuck with me:
Zita and the Space Girl by Ben Hatke
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien
The Power of Un by Nancy Etchemandy (sp?)
And our own Dewsanddamps books. Although pegged as YA, they are also appropriate for MG readers.

What about math obsessed kids? Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McNulty

Title: Re: Middle grade fiction for kids who are into science
Post by: David Wright on April 24, 2019, 01:22 PM

Mixed Up Middle Grade has STEM Tuesday and often discuss new science and science-based books: https://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/stem-tuesday/

Title: Re: Middle grade fiction for kids who are into science
Post by: KeithM on May 13, 2019, 10:13 AM

Thanks so much, everyone. Yes, sure, Learning to Swear in America by Katie Kennedy would be on the list, it's a bit too old is all. Miscalculations of Lightning Girl! Yes, totally forgot that one.

Thanks again. These are a great start.

Title: Re: Middle grade fiction for kids who are into science
Post by: jasmine-f on June 07, 2019, 05:54 AM

Nick and Tesla series! I only read the first one, but I really liked it.  It has some DIY projects in it and is also quite funny.

Title: Re: Middle grade fiction for kids who are into science
Post by: Barbara Etlin on June 20, 2019, 08:44 PM

AMPHIBIAN  by Carla Gunn