ELLIE MENT AND THE PASSAGE TO GLENMORGAN

Unstoppable kid scientist Ellie Ment returns to figure out the mysterious green skies above her village.

Eleven-year-old science enthusiast Ellie Ment of Hapsie, England, has barely wrapped up her first eco-adventure before she encounters a weird new mystery that’s enveloping her town. The star of Ellie Ment and the Material Matter (2025), Ellie is approached by her classmate Lucas Penham to prove his mother innocent of turning the skies above Hapsie green. Weeks of initial experiments turn up no useful information; Ms. Penham is prosecuted with the help of a demonstration from Ellie’s art teacher, Victor Quinn, a member of a clandestine organization known as “the Material Matter.” To further their efforts, Ellie, her sidekick (and “master upcycler”) Michael, and their companion Stefon sneak off to Glenmorgan, Scotland, to another branch of the Material Matter. On the way, they learn about the decade-old explosion that destroyed the Forge responsible for the secret society’s Elemental Bracers. Stefon dives into this mystery and soon realizes that it may involve the death of his friend but also the mother of Ellie’s archenemy, Kami. But uncovering solutions to Hapsie’s problems is only half the battle: The intrepid young scientists must find a way to convince the adults around them to commit to meaningful change. The author’s emphasis on the importance of persistence, translating research into action, and the power of community advocacy is a powerful message that speaks directly to the STEM-curious middle-grade audience that this title targets. This emphasis lends significant nuance to Stephens’ characterization of Ellie and her friends as they take big risks that create suspense but also leave a sense of hope in their wake. The book’s readers can even re-create one of Michael’s and Stefon’s inventions using instructions provided in the aftermatter.

A strong sequel that improves on the foundation laid by its quirky predecessor.