I Was a Third Grade Science Project

by Mary Jane Auch, Herm Auch (Illustrator)

Overview

It sure is handy having Brian the Brain for a best friend—how else would Josh have a shot at first prize in the science fair and winning tickets to Wonderland Lake? But when Brian plans to hypnotize his dog, Arfie, into thinking he’s a cat, Josh knows he can say goodbye to Wonderland Lake—this scheme will never work. The next thing he knows, Josh is climbing trees and craving raw fish sandwiches. What’s going on? Will the real science project please meow?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780440416067
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	10/12/1999
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.31(w) x 7.63(h) x 0.35(d)
Lexile:	600L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

Editorial Reviews

Brian, the class brain, has come up with a unique science project to execute with his best friend (and the narrator), Josh, and class "moron," Dougie; he'll hypnotize his dog, Arful, into acting like a cat. Unfortunately, Josh is the one who begins to act like a cat, revealed in a few subtle clues that go unnoticed until Parents' Night, when they present their projects on stage: Josh encounters catnip for the first time, with hilarious results. Most of this frequently amusing story consists of Brian making notes of the nonexistent changes in Arful's behavior while Josh and Dougie (who is not as dumb as he acts) make smart-aleck remarks. The biggest surprise is the ending, which may hint at a sequel: Brian restores Josh to boyhood, but accidentally hypnotizes Arfulþwho asks for a pizza, with anchovies. A glib, funny novel. (b&w illustrations, not seen) (Fiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews