Mind Games [Paperback]

Jeanne Marie Grunwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2006 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Six Clearview Middle School seventh-graders are $500 richer after buying a Maryland State Lottery ticket this week in order to test a scientific hypothesis.

Benjamin Lloyd, 12, whose father purchased the winning ticket, declined to discuss details of the students’ experiment, citing concerns of competition in the March 13 state science fair. . . . Mr. Ennis was as tight-lipped as his students regarding the nature of their experiment. “They plan to go public at the science fair. And that’s about all I can say. But,” he said, grinning, “I do predict a win.”

Thus reads an article in the Waverly Times, which is Exhibit Ain the Mad Science Club’s report to prove the existence of ESP. As told through the individual voices of a diverse cast of characters, Mind Games crackles with personality. Discoveries from the paranormal to the personal abound in this insightful exploration of friendship, science, ESP—and the lottery.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Six seventh graders find themselves working together on a science-fair project on ESP when they all sign up for an elective called "The Mad Science Club." This novel, written as short entries told in alternating voices, is a collaborative effort submitted to their teacher, complete with hypothesis, research, recorded experiments, and personal commentary. Through the students' narratives, readers learn about their families, problems, and relationships with one another. Club members include identical twins; Claire is in all honors classes, while Kathleen is in special ed. Claire explains, "The first thing I did in this world was to almost kill my sister-." Ji used to be Claire's best friend, but has moved on in middle school causing awkwardness and resentment between them. Marina is a Russian immigrant who has only been in the country one month. Brandon is dealing with his mother's death and firmly believes in ESP as his younger brother foresaw the accident that killed her. Ben, a "science geek," is wrestling with his own demons. His mother left the family, remarried, and now has a new baby. It is his idea to put the group's ESP skills to the test by purchasing a series of lottery tickets. Not only do they win $500, but they also capture first place in the county fair. The book, which includes charts, newspaper clippings, and test data, is a fast-paced and fascinating read. It's safe to predict that it'll be a winner, too.
Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. The students in the science club at Clearview Middle School decide to work on a science fair project involving ESP. Notes, journal entries, and reports tell the stories of the club's six members, giving readers a sense of the students' deepest concerns and the overlapping events in their lives. Among the characters are the brainy, nerdy guy (the type you'd expect to end up in the science club); twins, one in special education and the other on a standard academic track; and the new kid who ends up in the club by mistake. Interspersed with their stories are press clippings and science project notes. By the end of the novel, the students have made connections, but most of these are of the nonpsychic variety. Grunwell's story not only realistically captures the concerns of middle-school students but also presents the characters' stories in an original and imaginative way. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (May 22, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618689478
• ISBN-13: 978-0618689477
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,074,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeanne Marie Grunwell Ford is an author, blogger, screenwriter, mom of 2, wife, and teacher. She enjoys sleeping, eating, reading, peaceful time at home with the kids, and summer vacation!

Here I am at age 6 or 7, on Halloween, as Laura Ingalls Wilder. (Can you tell it was the '70s?) Sadly, this is the best picture I could find of myself in which I was not wearing a wedding dress.