Ellie Ment and the Material Matter by Bertie Stephens follows Ellie Ment, who is an eleven-year-old self-proclaimed scientist in the quaint town of Hapsie. Driven by her passion for scientific explanations and disdain for magic, Ellie seeks to uncover a mystery surrounding her school’s destruction by purple flames. Armed with jam jars for her rainwater experiments, she stumbles upon the secretive Material Matter, an organization developing Concrexio, a revolutionary material to repurpose plastic waste. As Ellie navigates secret headquarters, Elemental Bracers that manipulate chemical elements, and a web of ethical dilemmas, she confronts her art teacher, Master Quinn, and others involved in the cover-up of the school fire. With her friends Michael and Stefon, Ellie grapples with the moral complexities of progress versus profit, ultimately choosing to forge her own path to effect change while rallying other children to join her cause.

Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is a brilliant fusion of education and entertainment, making complex scientific concepts accessible and exciting through Ellie’s infectious enthusiasm. Bertie Stephens’ storytelling, paired with a cast of relatable characters, creates a narrative that is both thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud fun. The environmental themes, underscored by the Clean Planet Foundation’s mission, resonate deeply, urging young readers to question systems and take action. I highly recommend this book to young readers and adults alike who love science, adventure, and stories that inspire courage and curiosity. The story blends quantum physics, environmental activism, and youthful rebellion, and leads to a thrilling cliffhanger with a neon green sky. This is a must-read that will leave you eagerly awaiting Ellie’s next move. Ellie has more adventures to come!

Ellie Ment and the Material Matter by Bertie Stephens is a unique STEM-based adventure story. With science, everything has an explanation for how it happens, one that can be immediately available or later. Yet, not every explanation is always correct. Ellie Ment is an eleven-year-old, self-proclaimed scientist. Ellie believes that magic is cheating and prefers to use science to explain why her newly built school just burned to the ground in roaring purple flames. She has reason to think her art professor is responsible for the school burning down. But everything changes for her when her favorite professor gives her something she's not meant to have, Elemental Bracers, to help her grow into the scientist she needs to be. Shortly after, she's introduced to an international secret science and environmental organization that wants to make a difference by building, innovating, fighting, and developing solutions for the future using science.

Ellie Ment and the Material Matter by Bertie Stephens is a must-have, unforgettable, and exciting story, demonstrating that science is fun and also for girls. It's so compulsively readable that it encourages an even deeper love for science, one that will extend far beyond the pages of the book. This STEM-driven fantasy adventure inspires young minds to take action, be curious and brave, question and challenge the grown-ups, work together toward a bigger goal, and believe that even the strangest and most peculiar things can eventually be explained. Featuring an empowering role model character for children, fundamental scientific concepts, and examples of real-world issues, this educational adventure will captivate any young thinker with a strong interest in science, mysteries, humor, adventure, magic, and learning.

Bertie Stephens' Ellie Ment and the Material Matter follows the adventures of eleven-year-old Ellie. This passionate science whiz thinks everything has a logical justification behind it until the day her school suddenly erupts in purple flames, disregarding every law of chemistry she thinks she knows. The next day, her teacher—clearly hiding something—offers Ellie a pair of wrist bracers. They are not your typical hand accessories. They can conjure up elemental forces, such as nitrogen, as desired. Ellie is unable to make sense of these new occurrences, and before long, she is pulled into a covert society known as the Material Matter. This society consists of intelligent minds who are very concerned and intrigued by Ellie's newfound powers. As Ellie plunges deeper into this unique world, she starts to examine the divide separating magic and science. The world still has a great deal to teach her, but perhaps she has something to teach it, too.

Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is a lively yet insightful middle-grade adventure that blends science with environmental issues. If you enjoy stories filled with mystery, scientific rigor, and wit, Ellie’s journey is a thrilling ride fueled by curiosity and chemical reactions. With its understandable real-world stakes and themes of eco-friendliness, this story is guaranteed to appeal to all readers. Bertie Stephens skillfully balances humor and adventure, primarily through the warm dynamic between analytical Ellie and Michael, her arts-and-crafts-loving best friend. Readers will be captivated by Ellie’s creative problem-solving abilities, engaging STEM concepts, and messages about ecological responsibility. Whether you are an adult YA fiction fan or a young reader who appreciates character-driven, reflective stories, this incredible book is sure to kindle your imagination. I highly recommend it.

Ellie Ment and the Material Matter by Bertie Stephens revolves around a scientifically gifted and curious 11-year-old girl. Ellie views the world mainly through a lens of logic and reasoning. But this quickly changes on the fateful night she watches her school become engulfed in purple flames. After she learns she is being scrutinized by a secret society comprised of intellectual minds, her life is even more complicated. Her favorite teacher, Professor Fialova, notices her giftedness and offers her a pair of wrist Bracers. These powerful devices allow Ellie to manipulate elements from the periodic table using her body. Mastering them proves to be a challenging ordeal. Along with her friends and teachers, Ellie embarks on a series of exciting adventures that help her to grow as a curious mind and a resilient teenager, hoping to make a positive difference in the world around her.

In Ellie Ment and the Material Matter, Bertie Stephens delivers a captivating, science-charged story that will resonate with inquisitive minds of all ages. Ellie’s unwavering curiosity, combined with her sporadic lab-related gaffes, makes her a charming and relatable main character. The narrator’s ingenious way of breaking the fourth wall adds clarity and humor to the storyline, making even intricate scientific ideas fascinating and accessible to all readers. The author skillfully merges actual chemistry concepts, such as the periodic table and elemental reactions, into the plot, combining learning with fun moments. This immersive middle-grade adventure is sure to be a hit with fans of STEM protagonists. With a touch of magic, a blast of scientific exuberance, and an inspirational message, this story will draw you in from the very beginning. Ellie’s intellect and bravery, as well as the eco-conscious themes incorporated throughout the narrative, make it a witty and compelling read.