The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook

Ultra nerd Julian Calendar has a plan to fit in at his new school. He's trying to hide his super smarts to fit in with the cool and sporty crowd. When Julian fails to disguise his scientific brain in front of his class, he isn't vilified. Instead, the "dumb jock" and the "dangerous maniac" let him in on their own big secret - they're nuts about science, too. Together they form the Secret Science Alliance, soon finding themselves in a battle with the evil, invention-notebook-stealing Dr. Stringer.Eleanor Davis has created a fun graphic novel with a lively story and incredibly detailed drawings. She breaks down stereotypes and celebrates talented young minds without a hint of sermonizing. The book is so entertaining, we're wishing for more SSA adventures.

Age Range: from 7 on. The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook has everything going for it: whiz-bang plot with intricate details, super-cool and super-nerdy characters, dozens of awesome kid-inventions, one of the best hideout laboratories ever and an insanely inventive and tireless illustrator whose graphic strengths and story-telling skills are boundless. Eleven year-old Julian Calendar's move gives him a second chance at junior-high. Trying to avoid being pegged for a nerd, Julian struggles to appear dim. Happily he's terrible at being brainless. Once he teams up with bad-girl Greta and super-jock Ben the Secret Science Alliance is born. The creativity, style, detail and elegant function of the illustrations have to be seen to be believed. This is a groundbreaking work, whose quality is staggering, and oh so fun.

It's like pulling teeth to get my fourth grader to read anything, but he read this book slowly because he didn't want it to end. This has never happened before with any reading material. When he finished, he sat down, told me all about it and then turned around to start it all over again. For the first time, I had to go into his room at night to tell him to STOP reading and turn the light off. I can't tell you how much this thrills me.Eleanor Davis has created a book that has made both of us happy and I can't wait to rush out and buy whatever she does next.

This book should be especially good for kids who are old enough for chapter books but have not yet developed a knack for reading extended passages—anything that gets them reading is a plus—while the more skillful rabbit readers will enjoy it right along with the rest.

I flipped through a few pages of this book and I loved the detail and art style of the book. The visual cues and the cartoon insights into the brain of the lead nerd character just grabbed me.It compelled me to buy the book.After I grabbed it from my kids (who were also fighting over it) after they went to bed, I was grinning from ear to ear as I read it. It was imaginative from beginning to end. Just a great caper.I hope there is more to come from the Secret Science Alliance.

Bought as a gift for my 10 year old niece. Admittedly, I read through it (took about 2 hours for me). The story line was cute and artistry is good too. I'll give an update when I give it to her and get feedback.

Secret Science Alliance manages to simultaneously appeal to people of all ages in much the same way Pixar movies do. The story is identifiable, quirky, and light-hearted enough to entertain children. The message of encouragement and self-acceptance is spot-on for young adults. There is also an attention to detail in this book that nicely skates the line of not hindering young readers while being quite entertaining for adults.In short, this is a unique book that's entertaining to people of all ages.

WE LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. If only Eleanor Davis would write more and faster! This book is amazing on so many levels. First of all, it takes the topic of scientific inquiry seriously. These children are investigating loyalty, honesty, difference, and ethics as they problem-solve. My son has read it several times.

My 6,5 years old and myself love it :)Update: a few years later and he loves the book the same or more :D

My 8 year old boy really loved this. So much in fact that he just laid down and read it all on the Saturday it arrived. Hopefully he'll go back and read it again.

Lovely book, great artwork, just a shame there's only one, with no sequel looking likely.

10 year old daughter loved it.

my son love it