Elizabeth Young (Children's Literature)
Being described as an "intelligent read" on the book jacket may turn some people away. If that doesn't, the story of ultra-privileged, upper class, sometimes-arrogant seventh grade students in an equally privileged, upper class, and sometimes arrogant school: Peshtigo School of Chicago, may turn others away. However, anyone who has ever experienced the hot breath of a science fair on their neck, defied teacher authority, wondered who sent them an anonymous love note, or felt "different" in their own family because of adoption will undoubtedly enjoy this first novel from Mr. Leitich Smith, husband of children's author Cynthia Leitich Smith. The basis of the story is the annual school science fair and the plant project that Elias and Shohei enter. Each student has their own take on the events happening in their intertwined lives at home and at school, as evidenced by their names in bold type atop each section division. This takes some getting used to. Is that part about them? By them? I can see where this might be a challenge when reading to someone. Aside from the main science emphasis (it isn't boring) there is a touch of romance and a court case that is presented quite well. These are smart kids! Overall this novel has great potential for classroom discussion, but is equally enjoyed as a solo escape from reality. Hopefully this will not be the last we hear from Greg Leitich Smith. 2003, Little Brown & Company, $15.95. Ages 9 to 12.

Peg Glisson (Children's Literature)
Longtime friends Elias, Shohei, and Honoria are smart seventh graders at the prestigious, exclusive Peshtigo School. At his father’s insistence, Eli reluctantly enters the school’s Science Fair; Shohei is resisting his adoptive parents’ efforts to put him in touch with his heritage; and Honoria is dealing with a crush on one of her two best friends. Eli’s decision to replicate an older brother’s successful science fair entry (does music help plants grow?) leads to a complicated and sometimes funny chain of events, culminating in his defiance of the science teacher. Shohei begs to be part of Eli’s’ project (it’s easier than doing his own), while Honoria, a serious scientist, struggles with her project involving her pet piranhas. Each must eventually do some self-scrutiny as they deal with family, friendship, and school. The alternating first-person narratives make it hard to keep track of whom is speaking, but having the different perspectives make the story more personal and allow development of each of the three characters. Clever and witty writing move this middle school novel along, while subtly driving home that brainy kids also struggle with relationships and right and wrong. 2003, Little Brown and Company, $15.95. Ages 10 to 13.

Claire Rosser (KLIATT Review, November 2003 (Vol. 37, No. 6))
This is a witty book, peopled by smart 7th graders at a special school in the Chicago area (a school like the one the author himself attended as a teenager). There are three main characters: Elias, Shohei, and Honoria. Elias is the youngest child of a family that includes classical musicians and scientists. His best friend Shohei is Japanese, adopted into a Caucasian family, and Shohei's mother is obsessed with having him experience Japanese culture, with Japanese food in his lunches, enforced special lessons, and so forth. Honoria is a seriously interested scientist, unlike her friends Elias and Shohei, and she also is quite interested in the anonymous e-mails she is getting from an admirer. The plot revolves around a hilarious science fair. Elias tries to duplicate the results of his older brother's science fair project, playing different kinds of music to plants to see how the plants respond. He ropes Shohei into collaboration and the results are hysterically funny. Honoria, meanwhile, has a project in which she attempts to get piranhas, which will eat anything, to prefer bananas. And so it goes. We don't get these books too often, about gifted kids, for gifted kids. And a lighthearted story that is good for a laugh is more than welcome. Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: J--Recommended for junior high school students. 2003, Little Brown, 179p., $15.95. Ages 12 to 15.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2004)
Seventh-grader Elias has a crush on his friend Honoria, who has a crush on their friend Shohei, who is too busy dealing with his adoptive parents (obsessed with keeping him in touch with his Japanese roots) to have a crush on anyone. Hardworking Elias, brainy Honoria, and slacker Shohei take turns narrating this amusing first novel about life at a science magnet school in Chicago. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2003, Little, 183pp, $15.95. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.