The Secret of the Magic eyePad by Marsha Tufft

What worked:

The focus on STEM allows the book to be instructive and educational too. Actually, Putney’s new school is piloting STEAM where art is incorporated with the other areas of study. Her family has just moved from Alaska to Hilton Head, South Carolina, so the setting provides many opportunities to enjoy nature. The story opens with Putney adding to her live butterfly collection as she studies their metamorphosis from caterpillars to chrysalis, to butterflies. Her school is introducing underwater hockey which the book says is growing in popularity around the world. Putney’s first school assignment is to design a new sit-upon that will be used while they’re making sketches around the beach. The book uses the activity to explain a process for rapid prototypes by describing the steps and including drawings.

The plot often focuses on the conflict between Putney and a rich, snobby girl named Sue Wexford. Sue donates clothes to Goodwill and she notices Putney is wearing some of her old capris. Sue immediately targets Putney as being below her social status and makes it her mission to prove her superiority. However, Putney has aspirations to become an artist or architect so she possesses a great deal of creativity and technical knowledge. Being in the STEAM environment inspires her to come up with innovative ideas in the sit-upon contest that prove to challenge Sue’s concepts. Sue proves to be a deceitful, conniving character and her underhanded strategies pit her as the story’s villain.

The role of the eyePad pixie named Sam isn’t as prominent as expected but that’s okay in a story about STEM education. Sam is comparable to a 3-D holographic image of Siri or Alexa, that no one else can see, that can perform all of the functions of a computerized virtual assistant. Sam offers advice and research but Putney is the one with ideas and plans. Sam sometimes acts as a moral compass and questions Putney about her decisions. An intriguing twist is that Sam can create materials from nothing but it uses up magical power being used for her to exist. Using this ability may become a countdown to Sam’s demise somewhere in the series. Additional trouble arises when Sue spots Putney’s eyePad.

What didn’t work as well:

The book doesn’t develop much of a conflict other than Putney’s problems with Sue Wexford. Putney feels a need to beat the girl in the sit-upon competition while Sue is determined to get the better of Putney. The book’s overall feel is like a collection of subplots but it doesn’t generate much drama and tension. The conflict involving Sue and the eyePad doesn’t grow into a suspenseful issue so it’s a missed opportunity.

The final verdict:

The focus on STEM, or STEAM, is a fresh approach to a middle-grade novel and the author takes the time to explain innovations and creativity. The lack of suspense may not excite some readers and they may tire of the informative aspect in some parts of the book. Overall, this book is a fun read about creativity and friends and I recommend you give it a shot.