Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor

June 16, 2014
Scieszka (the Spaceheadz series) pulls in an array of scientific, cultural, and historical allusions and references—Einstein and Frankenstein, sure, but also James Bond, Edison vs. Tesla, the CERN particle collider, and more—in this first book in the Frank Einstein series, loosely based around the subject of matter. Not unlike Shelley’s Frankenstein, science whiz Frank is trying to animate a robot he’s built in his garage lab. Frank doesn’t succeed, but in one of the happy accidents that pepper scientific history (ahem, penicillin), Frank inadvertently lays the groundwork for the creation of two “self-assembled artificial-life” entities named Klink and Klank, fashioned from Shop-Vacs, Casio keyboards, and other mechanical detritus. The antimatter motor Frank whips up next for the science fair leads to a confrontation with his nemesis. Biggs’s (the Everything Goes books) two-color cartoons and diagrams run the gamut from silly to scientific, and the same holds true of Scieszka’s story. In refusing to take itself too seriously, it proves that science can be as fun as it is important and useful. Ages 8–12. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

July 1, 2014
Scieszka mixes science and silliness again to great effect.Frank Einstein, kid genius and inventor, is staying with his grandfather while his parents travel to Antarctica. That's just fine with Frank; he and his sidekick, Watson, have inventing to do, and Grampa Al's fix-it shop is the perfect place to do science. Frank is hoping to win the Midville Science Prize because Grampa won when he was a kid...and because the prize money will let Frank save Grampa's shop from the bill collectors. Frank's attempt to build a SmartBot fails, but overnight, a spark ignites the brain he's created for the bot, and the next morning he finds two very different robots in his workshop. Now he's got Klink, a smart, self-assembled robot who can learn, and Klank, who's really into hugging. Frank doesn't feel right entering Klink and Klank in the contest since they assembled themselves, but together with Watson, the four of them can surely some up with something great. Only evil, rival child genius T. Edison stands in their way, and he'll stop at nothing. Scieszka launches a six-book series with a likable protagonist and a good supporting cast. Science facts are slipped into the story on nearly every page, and Biggs' two-color drawings are the C12H22O11 on the cookie.Less wacky (and more instructive) than Scieszka's Spaceheadz series-but just as much fun. (Science fiction/humor. 8-12)

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August 1, 2014

Gr 3-5-Scieszka's latest novel centers on kid genius and inventor Frank Einstein and his two self-assembled robots, Klink and Klank. When Frank designs an antimatter motor flying bike to submit for Midville's Science Prize, his idea is stolen-along with Klink and Klank-by his rival, T. Edison, and Edison's sidekick, Mr. Chimp, an actual chimp who communicates through sign language. But, with a bit of ingenuity, and a little help from his Grampa Al and his friend Watson, Frank is able to thwart Edison's plans and rescue the two robots. Sciezka writes in the present tense, creating a fast-paced read, and offers plenty of science facts for children. Biggs's cartoon drawings cleverly add to the story, particularly his illustrations of Mr. Chimp's sign language, which are seamlessly interspersed as dialogue throughout the text. Although not entirely original as a character, Frank is likable and resourceful, while Edison makes for a diabolical but predictable villain. However, children will enjoy the matter-of-fact Klink, affable Klank, and droll Mr. Chimp, all of whom provide the majority of the laughs in the book and inject some novelty into an otherwise standard story. With humor, straightforward writing, tons of illustrations, and a touch of action at the end, this book is accessible and easy to read, making it an appealing choice for reluctant readers. A solid start to the series.-Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2014
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* In this start to a new series, young Frank Einstein and his trusted pal Watson foil the dastardly plans of archnemesis T. Edison and his financial advisor, Mr. Chimp. Along the way, they rely on the material assistance of Frank's genius robot Klink and not-so-genius-but-affectionate robot Klank and the abiding support of Frank's Grampa Al. The high jinks begin at a school science prize competition and continue after Edison steals Frank's antimatter technology, ultimately leaving the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Scieszka soaks the narrative in real science, from a narrative structure built on the principles of scientific inquiry to throwaway jokes about apes and teeth. Literary allusions abound, including a principled invocation of Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics as articulated in I, Robot. The busy book design features imagery on almost every spread; Biggs' full-page comic illustrations alternate with spot drawings, numbered scientific figures, diagrams, and blueprints. The clever use of typefaces adds to the visual appeal, with distinctive fonts for the two robots' dialogue and pictographic ASL hand letters for Mr. Chimp (with a key in the back). In the final analysis, this buoyant, tongue-in-cheek celebration of the impulse to keep asking questions and finding your own answers fires on all cylinders.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2015
After a freak electrical storm, boy genius Frank Einstein wakes up to find two robots--Klink (a "self-assembled artificial-intelligence entity") and Klank (a "mostly self-assembled artificial almost Yintelligent]" being)--in his lab. He hopes they'll help him win a science prize and save his grandfather's repair-shop business. The book features kid-friendly humor in spades, and an impressive amount of scientific know-how.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2014
Frank Einstein is confident he will win the Midville Science Prize. Sure, his own attempt at building a robot may have fallen flat, but Frank wakes up after a freak electrical storm to find in his lab Klink (a "self-assembled artificial-intelligence entity") and Klank (a "mostly self-assembled artificial almost [intelligent]" being). With two robots on his side, the boy genius can't be beat. But the stakes are raised when the villainous T. Edison shows up and drops a bombshell: Frank's grandfather has signed away the deed to his repair shop, so it's up to Frank to win the science prize money and save Grampa Al's business. Scieszka's text works on a number of levels. There's kid-friendly humor in spades, of course, and an impressive amount of scientific know-how. Scieszka also incorporates real details from the lives of Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein, along with intertextual references to Frankenstein's monster, The Iron Giant, and Sherlock Holmes to create an amalgamation all his own. Biggs's cartoonish illustrations, including a number of science-y diagrams featuring subjects ranging from pizza toppings to the inner workings of a flatulent cow, complement the text perfectly. With a second book already in the works, this definitely smells like a hit series. sam bloom

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)