Readers are invited to meet Phineas L. MacGuire: scientist, boy-genius, allergic to purple. This funny middle-grade novel comes complete with tantalizingly gruesome experiments, including one on how to blow up a volcano. Illustrations. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Dowell (Dovey Coe) creates a likable hero who proves that kids can be both smart and funny. Fourth grade does not get off to a super start for Mac in this first installment of the From the Highly Selective Notebooks of Phineas L. MacGuire series. In his clipped, comical first-person narrative, he explains that his best friend, who shared his passion for science, recently moved away. His "un-best friend," also named Mac, is a new classmate whose tough-guy persona immediately alienates his peers. When their teacher pairs the two as partners for the science fair, narrator Mac wants to do their project on mold and the new Mac suggests they do it on dinosaurs (they pick a third that gives the book its title: an erupting volcano). On a visit to his new classmate's apartment, Mac makes some un-scientific discoveries: the boy's name is actually Ben (he changed it so he'd have something in common with someone in his new class), he is an accomplished artist who creates comic books, and he is "really a pretty nice person." Dowell nicely builds their blossoming friendship, and Mac devises a plan to re-introduce Ben to their classmates. Several subplots further enliven this amiable tale, among them narrator Mac's friendly rivalry with a smart classmate who insists that she will win first place at the fair. McDaniel contributes spirited half-tone illustrations to the novel, which concludes with directions for performing several experiments mentioned in the story. Ages 8-12. (July) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 2-4 What do you do when your best friend moves in the second week of 4th grade? That is the situation facing Phineas Listerman MacGuire (Mac). Everyone in class already has a best friend, except for the new kid Mac Robbins, known as Mac R., who has gone out of his way to alienate his classmates. The one bright light in MacâÇÖs life is the science fair in a few weeks. He is a scientist who specializes in volcanoes, a passion that his friend Marcus shared. When Mac R. is assigned to be his partner, Mac is sure it will be a disaster. Surprisingly, he finds that the new kid has some good ideas about their project, has a talent in art, and isnâÇÖt as tough as he pretends to be. His real name is actually Ben. Though their science project hits a few bumps along the way, the volcano has a successful eruption and it looks like Mac just might have a new best friend. Three science experiments are appended, including, of course, an erupting volcano. Readers who enjoy Suzy KlineâÇÖs âÇ£Herbie JonesâÇ  (Putnam) and âÇ£Horrible HarryâÇ  books (Viking) will find Mac appealing. Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 3-5. Phineas Listerman MacGuire, known as Mac, considers himself quite a scientist, but his plans to win the fourth-grade science fair may be ruined when Mrs. Tuttle assigns new kid Mac R. as his partner. Though the boys share the same name, they aren't alike; obnoxious Mac R. has already alienated the whole class. But to his surprise, Mac discovers that the new boy (whose real name is Ben) is really a gifted artist and decent guy, and he finds a way to help the kid start fresh. Using repetitive phrasing and lots of lists (from project ideas to facts Mac learns about science and Ben), Dowell brings to life a likable, nerdy kid who thrives on scientific thinking. A departure from Dowell's Dovey Coe (2001), this book targets a younger audience; the type is large and well spaced, and black-and-white art playfully captures the characters, including the quirky Mrs. Tuttle, who apparently loves frogs. Budding scientists will find instructions for their own experiments at the end of the book. NancyKim. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.