Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor (Frank Einstein Series #1)

by Jon Scieszka, Brian Biggs (Illustrator)

Overview

The first book in the New York Times bestselling series that's full of funny jokes, clever science experiments, and robot hijinks. “I never thought science could be funny . . . until I read Frank Einstein. It will have kids laughing.” —Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid

In Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor, an uneventful experiment in Frank's garage/lab, a lightning storm, and a flash of electricity bring his inventions—the robots Klink and Klank—to life!

Not exactly the ideal lab partners, the wisecracking Klink and the overly expressive Klank nonetheless help Frank attempt to perfect his inventions . . . until Frank’s archnemesis, T. Edison, steals Klink and Klank for his evil doomsday plan.

Integrating real science facts with wacky humor, a silly cast of characters, and science fiction, this uniquely engaging series is an irresistible chemical reaction for middle grade readers. With easy-to-read language and graphic illustrations on almost every page, this chapter book series is a must for reluctant readers.

The Frank Einstein series encourages middle grade readers to question the way things work and to discover how they, too, can experiment with science. In a starred review, Kirkus raves, “This buoyant, tongue-in-cheek celebration of the impulse to ‘keep asking questions and finding your own answers’ fires on all cylinders," while Publishers Weekly says that the series “proves that science can be as fun as it is important and useful.”

Perfect for ages 8-12 and fans of science fiction, this series combines real scientific facts with wacky humor and engaging storytelling. The series features real science facts with adventure and humor, making these books ideal for STEM education!

The Frank Einstein series:
Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor
Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger
Frank Einstein and the BrainTurbo
Frank Einstein and the EvoBlaster Belt
Frank Einstein and the Bio-Action Gizmo
Frank Einstein and the Space-Time Zippe

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419724923
Publisher:	Amulet Paperbacks
Publication date:	04/11/2017
Series:	Frank Einstein Series , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	182,811
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jon Scieszka’s books include The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and Battle Bunny. He is the founder of Guys Read and the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. He lives in Brooklyn.

Brian Biggs’s picture books include Everything Goes and the brand-new Tinyville Town series for Abrams Appleseed. He lives in Philadelphia.

Editorial Reviews

06/16/2014
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. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
"Wacky characters, including a hip Grampa Al and a chimpanzee who uses sign language, make this fast-paced story a great choice for readers who want lots of laughs."

Library Media Connection - Tracy Scaglione

"Brian Biggs’ cartoon-tastic two-color illustrations add the perfect punch to the “diary” look so many young readers have come to embrace. Scieszka clearly knows his audience and plays right into their hands, as this series promises entertainment but supports it with real science. There are plenty of explosions and experiments to inspire reluctant readers to don the lab coats and start inventing!"

BookPage - Sharon Verbeten

"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."

The Horn Book Magazine - Sam Bloom

08/01/2014
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

School Library Journal

Listener alert! Author and narrator Jon Scieszka will have you laughing out loud. When boy scientist Frank Einstein sets out to make a smart robot, hoping to win the Midville Science Prize and get his family out of debt, neither T. Edison nor drones nor clueless parents can stop him. Aided by Smartbots Klink and Klank and Grandpa Al, Einstein creates a smashing entry and also outsmarts his archenemy. The duo of Scieszka and Brian Biggs narrates with aplomb. Characters pop with personality as each narrator uses his vocal talents to create an ebullient and persevering Einstein, an ever optimistic and wise grandfather, and a too-big-for-his britches T. Edison. Not only is the wordplay droll, but the robot voices are animated to perfection. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2014 - AudioFile

2014-06-10
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)

Kirkus Reviews