Book details
Phineas L. MacGuire . . . Gets Cooking! (From the Highly Scientific Notebooks of Phineas L. MacGuire)
Description
Chemistry in the kitchen? Phineas L. MacGuire applies his science skills to culinary creations in this food-tastic tale from the bestselling author of Chicken Boy. Phineas L. MacGuire--scientist extraordinaire--has a new chore: cooking dinner every night. He may be a genius, but he knows nothing about following a recipe. A pinch? A dash? A smidge? This doesn't seem very scientific. A pound of spaghetti? Salt on brownies? Lemon in biscuits? Why, these recipes look a little funky. But he'd better learn quickly if he and his friends are going to win the $10,000 Bake-Off prize. And to complicate matters, school bully Evan Forbes has taken a liking to Phineas's brownies...too much of a liking. As in, if Phineas can't make Evan enough brownies, he'll get clobbered for sure. Fortunately for Phineas, he has the help of his friends, and even better, he soon discovers that cooking actually is kind of like chemistry. So the whole recipe thing might just work out--as long as he can keep his cool in the kitchen.
Age
8-12
Text complexity
intermediate
Length
224 pages
Book in series
#4
Why to read
- Engaging STEM Themes: 'Phineas L. MacGuire . . . Gets Cooking!' incorporates science, technology, engineering, and math concepts in a fun and accessible way, making it a great choice for young readers interested in STEM subjects.
- Relatable Characters: Phineas L. MacGuire, also known as Mac, is a relatable protagonist for middle-grade readers. His adventures and scientific experiments are both educational and entertaining, providing readers with a character they can root for and learn from.
- Humor and Entertainment: Frances O'Roark Dowell is known for her ability to weave humor into her stories, and this book is no exception. The humorous situations and witty dialogue will keep readers laughing and engaged throughout the story.
- Encourages Creativity: The book inspires readers to explore their own scientific curiosity and creativity. As Mac experiments with cooking and science, readers are encouraged to think about how they can apply scientific principles to everyday activities and perhaps embark on their own scientific adventures.