• Age: 5 to 8
• Grade: k to 3

A STEAM-packed celebration of outside-the-box thinking set during a school science fair—perfect for fans of Ada Twist, Scientist.

It’s time for the Scintillating Science Symposium, and Mo is determined to win this year’s competition. He knows his classmates are talented, but none of them are serious scientists like him . . . especially not Muriel. After all, Mo wants to be a chemist when he grows up; Muriel wants to be a cat. Besides, Mo has the best idea to turn something small into something big. He just can’t forget his secret ingredient . . .

As the day of the Symposium arrives, readers will love discovering the scientific surprises behind the Sunnysill Elementary students’ projects, from lemon meringue pie to boogers. Ana Stretcu’s energetic and charming artwork further emphasizes how fun STEAM can be and how creativity can help answer big questions—in the classroom and beyond.

SARA DE WAAL is a Canadian writer and teacher residing in Sioux Center, Iowa. She has taught music and art in kindergarten through grade five and creative writing workshops in elementary, middle, and high schools. She believes the best problem solvers are both creative and kind. Sara is the author of the Blue Spruce Award finalist 48 Grasshopper Estates.

Sara de Waal's profile page

ANA STRETCU is a Romanian illustrator who firmly believes in the power of storytelling and specializes in creating illustrations with a strong aw-factor.

Ana Stretcu's profile page