THAT CRAZY EDDIE AND THE SCIENCE PROJECT OF DOOM

Third-grader Matt and his best buddy Eddie want to win the $50 gift certificate prize for first place in the science fair. Eddie has a great idea—or so he says. Matt has a soft spot for Eddie, but some amnesia too. Matt has forgotten the time Eddie started a fire in the front yard and the broken laundry basket roller coaster. In the middle of all the preparation week, Matt gets a stomach bug and has to miss school. Worse, he misses working with Eddie. When he returns, he falls victim to his friend’s impulsive behavior. Seems that Eddie has told all the details of his illness, including the dreaded word, “diarrhea.” The volcano that was the science project is now exploding with Matt’s anger and shame. When he destroys the plaster creation, the friendship might be over as well. It takes one sister, stranded on the roof, to bring the boys together again in this early chapter book about friendship and forgiveness. Fast-paced and realistic, this tale rings true for its young readers. (Fiction. 6-9)