ELLIE MENT AND THE MATERIAL MATTER

In Stephens’ middle-grade novel, the first installment in a series, an 11-year-old girl aims to solve a scientific mystery.

Ellie Ment is an enterprising 11-year-old living in Hapsie, England, who believes in science above all else; when her school burns down in a fury of purple flames, she is determined to find out why. Her idol is Prof. Lucinda Fialova, a science teacher who invites her to her home one day to show her the power of Elemental Bracers. These wristwatch-like devices allow their users to call forth a stream of naturally occurring elements from their bodies and direct them at a target. Entranced by her new powers, Ellie uses them to haphazardly “fix” problems in her home and around town. Ellie’s intense focus on science and heedlessness regarding the consequences of her imperfect solutions lead to setbacks like a kitchen covered in carbon dust and a temporary rift with her best friend, upcycler extraordinaire Michael Upperton. She catches the attention of her art teacher, who introduces her to a secret worldwide organization working to enact environmental change by using tools like the Bracers. As Ellie becomes more deeply involved with the Material Matter, as the organization is called, she finds that there is more to the group than meets the eye—as is the case with the allegedly accidental destruction of her school. Stephens’ debut novel effectively blends environmental science, mystery tropes, and discussions of ethics in this story for STEM-focused middle-grade readers. Those in the intended audience may not be able to solve the mystery on their own, but they are sure to learn a good deal about chemistry along the way. The narrative handles the complexities of trying to save the world with nuance and care. To quote Ellie, “Change comes from fighting for what’s right, out in the open, where everyone can see.”

A quirky science adventure with an engaging message of sustainability and hope.