Top Secret - Paperback – The Tale Trade

Top Secret - Paperback

$17.79

Availability: 50 left in stock

by John Reynolds Gardiner (Author), Marc Simont (Illustrator)

A funny and absurdist classic for fans of Gordon Korman and Jennifer Holm, about a boy who's convinced he can photosynthesize for his school science project ... and just maybe he can?

I'm writing this down in case something should happen to me. There's a brown car parked outside in the street with two men in it. They're watching the house...

So begins the highly confidential case history of Allen Brewster, the boy who has an amazing idea for his school science project: human photosynthesis, turning sunlight into food for humans. Everyone laughs at his outrageous scheme -- until Allen turns green, sprouts roots, and develops an overwhelming desire to soak up the sun. He's turning into a plant!

But no one will believe he isn't playing a practical joke. No one, that is, except the President of the United States ... who declares Allen a threat to national security. Suddenly Allen Brewster and his discovery are TOP SECRET.

Can Allen protect his classified discovery and ace his science project without being a threat to the country? Find out in this wacky and whimsical illustrated classic, in the tradition of Pippi Longstocking and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.

Perfect for ...
★ Fans of The Superteacher Project by Gordon Korman
★ Budding scientists
★ Fans of Frindle by Andrew Clements
★ Science fair enthusiasts
★ Fans of The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
★ Readers of The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids by Marcia T. Jones and Debbie Dadey

Author Biography

John Reynolds Gardiner wrote a number of books for children, including Stone Fox and General Butterfingers. He was also an engineer by profession. A native of Los Angeles, he lived in West Germany, Central America, and Idaho, before settling back down in California with his wife and daughters. He passed away in 2006.

Marc Simont illustrated more than a hundred children's books including the Caldecott Medal Winner A Tree is Nice. He also received a Caldecott Honor and worked with authors including Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (on the Nate the Great series) and Margaret Wise Brown. Simont and his wife lived in West Cornwall, Connecticut before his passing in 2013.

Number of Pages: 128

Dimensions: 0.34 x 7.6 x 5.08 IN

Illustrated: Yes

Publication Date: October 01, 1995

Accelerated Reader:

Quiz Name: Top Secret

Interest Level: Middle Grades, 4-8

Reading Level: 4

Point Value: 2