Owen Foote, Mighty Scientist

Third grade best friends Owen and Joseph struggle to come up with a great science fair project that they will both enjoy doing, then something goes wrong and they have to change their plans two days before the fair. That’s why he hopes to get into Mr. Wozniak’s class, where science is king. The classroom is lined with aquariums, and the students get to wear lab coats when they show the little kids around. Owen figures that the surest way to get himself and his best friend, Joseph, into Mr. Wozniak’s class is for them to win first prize in the school science fair. But their “project,” a uromastyx lizard named Chuck, turns out to be uncooperative, and Owen finds that he and Joseph may not have the same goals. It’s hard to conduct an experiment when unruly personal feelings start undermining the scientific method. As squeamishness, competitiveness, and misunderstanding threaten to derail the boys’ plans, only an inspired blend of science and friendship can get them back on track. Owen Foote wants to be a real scientist with a white lab coat. He”d like to spend the next school year in Mr. Wozniak”s fourth-grade class, where science is king. Owen figures that Mr. Wozniak will let him and his friend Joseph in if they can win first prize in the school science fair. But the “project,” a uromastyx lizard named Chuck, isn’t”t exactly cooperative. The boys come up with another idea that seems like a winner, but once again, unruly personal feelings seem to be undermining the scientific method. It takes an inspired blend of science and friendship to get them back on track. Fast-paced and funny, this new story treats themes of competition, ambition, squeamishness, and loyalty in the appealing style Owen Foote fans have come to expect.