Ellie Ment and the Material Matter (Elle Ment 1) by Bertie Stephens

What worked:

Ellie loves science and often sees the world through that lens. She’s very observant and applies her knowledge to understand situations and solve problems. Early on, readers watch her collect dirt samples in the forest to determine if different chemicals and elements seep into the soil during the various seasons. She’d much rather apply science to the real world than sit in a classroom completing a test or pop quiz. Her science smarts and keen observation skills interest one of her teachers, who ends up giving her a pair of Bracers. These bracelets allow her to summon elements in her body, although she must learn to control this new “superpower”.

The narrator’s voice is a highlight, as it speaks directly to readers. This strategy is helpful, since some scientific knowledge needs to be explained. The voice is reminiscent of a commentator talking about and reflecting on what’s happening. The narrator briefly shares information about the elements Ellie is summoning and the positives and negatives of each. The voice lets readers know how terribly things can go wrong. Other aside comments provide insight about the conflicting thoughts of Material Matter leaders when they disagree about Ellie’s Bracers.

After receiving the Bracers, Ellie experiments with them over the next week, but she isn’t given much instruction about how to do it. She tries to complete household chores by trial and error, and there’s more error than she wants. Suffice it to say she must redo the chores properly the next day. Readers will enjoy the unexpected outcomes as Ellie summons different elements. She’s very excited when she realizes she can create compounds, although Michael, her best friend, has a different reaction. In addition, Michael meets a boy in the Material Matter headquarters who can create time echoes. This opens new possibilities that can lead the story into new directions. Ellie does something later in the book that makes the members of Material Matter fear her.

What didn’t work as well:

Halfway into the book, it’s still unclear where the plot is headed. The strong focus on science, especially chemistry, may narrow the potential audience. However, the narrator helps to clarify the concepts and helps make personal connections with readers.

The final verdict:

Readers with a strong interest in science will most enjoy this book. Ellie’s passion for understanding her surroundings is inspirational, as is her dedication to protecting the environment. Readers may see Ellie as a new type of superhero, so I suggest you try the book for yourself.