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

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

5.0 5
by Jon Scieszka, Brian Biggsm
 

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"I never thought science could be funny . . . until I read Frank Einstein. It will have kids laughing."
—Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid

"Huge laughs and great science—the kind of smart, funny stuff that makes Jon Scieszka a legend."
—Mac Barnett, author of Battle Bunny and The Terrible

Overview

"I never thought science could be funny . . . until I read Frank Einstein. It will have kids laughing."
—Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid

"Huge laughs and great science—the kind of smart, funny stuff that makes Jon Scieszka a legend."
—Mac Barnett, author of Battle Bunny and The Terrible Two
 
“Dear Frank Einstein,
Please invent time machine. Send your books back in time to me in 1978.
Also a levitating skateboard.
Tommy”
—Tom Angleberger, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Frank Einstein loves figuring out how the world works by creating household contraptions that are part science, part imagination, and definitely unusual. After an uneventful experiment in his garage-lab, a lightning storm and flash of electricity bring Frank’s 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 Antimatter Motor . . . until Frank’s archnemesis, T. Edison, steals Klink and Klank for his evil doomsday plan! Using real science, Jon Scieszka has created a unique world of adventure and science fiction—an irresistible chemical reaction for middle-grade readers.

STARRED REVIEW
"In the final analysis, this buoyant, tongue-in-cheek celebration of the impulse to ‘keep asking questions and finding your own answers’ fires on all cylinders."
--Booklist, starred review

"Scieszka mixes science and silliness again to great effect."
Kirkus Reviews

"In refusing to take itself too seriously, it proves that science can be as fun as it is important and useful."
Publishers Weekly

"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."
--School Library Journal

"Kids will love Frank Einstein because even though he is a new character he will be instantly recognizable to the readers...Jon Scieszka is one of the best writers around, and I can't wait to see what he does with these fun and exciting characters."
—Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl

"Jon Scieszka's new series has the winning ingredients that link his clever brilliance in story telling with his knowledge of real science, while at the same time the content combination of fiction and non fiction appeals to the full range of the market."
—Jack Gantos, Dead End in Norvelt

Editorial Reviews

Thanks to a lightning storm and a bit of luck, garage scientist/inventor Frank Einstein finds himself the owner, or least the companion, of Klink and Klank, two very outspoken living robots. He hopes that his new lab partners can help him perfect a antimatter motor, but that breakthrough ambition goes drastically awry when his archenemy T. Edison kidnaps Klink and Klank in hopes of using them to build his evil doomsday machine. All bets are most entertainingly off in this adventure story by Brooklyn middle school teacher Jon Scieszka.

Publishers Weekly
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.)
BookPage - Sharon Verbeten

"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!"
The Horn Book Magazine - Sam Bloom

"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."
Library Media Connection - Tracy Scaglione

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."
School Library Journal
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
Kirkus Reviews
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)

Product Details

ISBN-13:
9781613126950
Publisher:
Amulet Books
Publication date:
08/19/2014
Series:
Frank Einstein Series , #1
Sold by:
Barnes & Noble
Format:
NOOK Book
Sales rank:
214,942
File size:
15 MB
Note:
This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:
8 - 12 Years

Meet the Author

Jon Scieszka has sold more than 11 million books, including The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, the Time Warp Trio series, Guys Read, Spaceheadz, and most recently, Battle Bunny with Mac Barnett. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor 5 out of 5 based on 0 ratings. 5 reviews.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
Really good and funny
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
YoungMensanBookParade More than 1 year ago
Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor is a flask-full of humor, science, and adventure accompanied by cool illustrations done on graph paper. Frank and his friend Watson spend time in Grandpa Al’s basement trying to make a robot that self-assembles and learns on its own. This invention is going to be the prize entry at the Midville School Science Fair. Frank desperately needs to win the prize money to help save his Grandpa’s shop. But, there are many unexpected twists and turns along the way, as Frank’s rival, T. Edison, will stop at nothing to win. My favorite part of the book was when Frank showed his robots, Klink and Klank, the Three Laws of Robotics. I enjoyed this part because it was a mini-suspenseful moment for me to see if they really would obey! I also liked learning about Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics and how they control robots in the real world. Something that stood out to me was the theme: family relationships. Frank works hard to try and win the science fair, not for himself, but for his Grandpa Al. Frank’s desire to help his family drives his efforts and really shows how much he truly cares. Overall, I gave this book a 5 star rating, because it makes science fun. It is an exciting adventure that would make even the most reluctant reader happy to join in. I would recommend this book to both girls and boys ages 8-12. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series and see what new experiments Frank Einstein, Klink, Klank, and Watson get involved with next time! Review by Brooke Z., 9, Delaware Valley Mensa
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
I enjoy the sign laguege in the back and i love the humor
DagnyTaggart2U More than 1 year ago
Parents and kids will love this book. Schools and libraries will have a hard time keeping this one available. I am definitely requesting my library director order a copy of this book for our local library. Slap-stick and science. Entertainment and education. Boisterous and brainy. Sort of Captain Underpants meets Encyclopedia Brown. It took me a while to write this review, as my 7 year old and I would read a chapter most every night, and what a great time we had reading this book together. There are subjects and vocabulary that my son had not yet been introduced to. Now, through this silly, fun, (yet informative)and quirky book, he has. We spent about as much time talking about concepts in this book and looking up topics on the internet as we did reading it. This book is great for middle school age children (all boys in the story), but if your child is younger, adults will enjoy reading with them. There is enough subtle humor and references to entertain the adults, yet my son was howling at the knock-knock jokes, the signing, ant-licking chimp and the 'Odd Couple' robots, Klink and Klank. My son loved the pictures and diagrams and the wackiness. As a parent, I loved that Scieska included Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, sign language, protons and neutrons, anti-matter, atom smashing and Watson's Universal-Strength Peanut Butter Bubble Gum. There are great social lessons as Frank's story incorporates stealing, cheating, helping family and friends, failure and success, brief scientific ethical issues and using his brains, talent and a bit of wisecracking to overcome hurdles. I can't wait for more of this series. It appears to me that the underlying theme of this story is matter and the future themes will be energy, humans, life, earth and the universe. My son, hands down, rated this 5 stars (after his initial gazillion stars). I rate it a 4.5. To make this book perfect for me, it would include kids of color. What a great way open up young minds to a world of science, invention and mystery in a manner that is sure to appeal to them.  Disclosure: I read a free uncorrected proof the book in return for my candid review. Be assured, my opinion is honest, and I do not owe or know the author/publisher.
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