How to Win the Science Fair When You’re Dead by Paul Noth - OPTIONAL

How to Win the Science Fair When You’re Dead (#3) by Paul Noth. Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 184 pages, 2019, $14.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Happy Conklin Jr. is back in his third adventure.  As the book opens, Hap is being held prisoner by his evil Grandma, who has plans to take over the universe and destroy Earth, and also has a terrible punishment planned for him.  Hap knows he has to escape and thwart Grandma’s plan and save his sisters with the help of aliens and Squeep, his pet lizard who communicates through a brain-blending ring. 

If this sounds like a lot going on, it is.  Also, since this is the third in a series, read them in order or you will be totally lost.  The plot was fun, but difficult to follow.  The title didn’t even really fit the book, since the science fair is only in the last few-pages and Hap shows up abruptly whilst the science fair wasn’t mentioned previously in the book.   The pictures are cool and help explain the story, though I still think it’s weird Hap has a beard.  The title and cover will draw readers in, but the ride is convoluted.

Michelle in the Middle