The McVentures of Me, Morgan McFactoid: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Gr 4–6—Thirteen-year-old Morgan McCracken is out of the ordinary. He has red hair and 203 freckles. He is also an inventor/genius whose brain is loaded with data he calls "McFactoids." And he is the only boy in middle school who shaves. Needless to say, he is the prime target of the school bully. Morgan tries to invent a potion that will solve his hair problem and make him rich and famous at the same time. In his tricked-out lab, known as his "McFactory," he inadvertently invents a potion that temporarily grows hair on just about everything. He enlists the help of his secret crush and the girl next door, Robin. This whimsical story moves at a brisk pace, and the writing is clever. Waxman integrates enjoyable science facts into the prose, such as "the muscle that lets the human eye blink is the fastest muscle in your body. It allows you to blink five times a second. I bet you're trying it right now." Beyond the goofy premise and interesting STEM ties, it's the defined message of self-acceptance that sets this story apart. Morgan eventually discovers that science is not the answer to every situation. Kids will root for Morgan as he makes tough choices.