Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants

April 1, 2019

Gr 2-3-Ada Twist is learning all about air, but can her newfound knowledge save a family friend in peril? After debuting in a picture book series by Beaty, Ada returns in the second book of this early chapter book series focusing on kids and STEM. Ada is fascinated by all things science, and spends her time actively seeking answers to her numerous questions about the world. When a family friend goes airborne in a pair of inflatable pants and can't land himself, Ada joins forces with friends Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck to devise a scientific plan to bring Uncle Ned home. Beaty's compelling text keeps readers moving like a swift wind through the plot's twists and turns, creating an adventurous mystery out of Uncle Ned's plight and the science capable of saving him. Brief chapters support emerging readers transitioning to chapter books without sacrificing opportunities for learning; however, young readers might be stymied by a brief foray into Ada's "research" texts, still written for children but from a more technical perspective. Roberts's illustrations, which will be familiar to fans of the picture book series, complement the book's readability with humorous, detailed artwork. Additional information about "The Great Backyard Bird Count" and a poem about gas are included at the end of the book. VERDICT A compelling early reader that packs plenty of information into a high-flying adventure.-Casey O'Leary, Mooresville Public Library, IN

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2019
Ada Twist's incessant stream of questions leads to answers that help solve a neighborhood crisis.Ada conducts experiments at home to answer questions such as, why does Mom's coffee smell stronger than Dad's coffee? Each answer leads to another question, another hypothesis, and another experiment, which is how she goes from collecting data on backyard birds for a citizen-science project to helping Rosie Revere figure out how to get her uncle Ned down from the sky, where his helium-filled "perilous pants" are keeping him afloat. The Questioneers--Rosie the engineer, Iggy Peck the architect, and Ada the scientist--work together, asking questions like scientists. Armed with knowledge (of molecules and air pressure, force and temperature) but more importantly, with curiosity, Ada works out a solution. Ada is a recognizable, three-dimensional girl in this delightfully silly chapter book: tirelessly curious and determined yet easily excited and still learning to express herself. If science concepts aren't completely clear in this romp, relationships and emotions certainly are. In playful full- and half-page illustrations that break up the text, Ada is black with Afro-textured hair; Rosie and Iggy are white. A closing section on citizen science may inspire readers to get involved in science too; on the other hand, the "Ode to a Gas!" may just puzzle them. Other backmatter topics include the importance of bird study and the threat palm-oil use poses to rainforests.Adventure, humor, and smart, likable characters make for a winning chapter book. (Fiction. 6-9)

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