Top Secret [Box set] [Paperback]

John Reynolds Gardiner (Author), Marc Simont (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: 3 and up

Despite the disapproval of his parents and his formidable science teacher, nine-year-old Allen determines to do his science project on human photosynthesis.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316303631
• ISBN-13: 978-0316303637
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.5 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Simont, Marc

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fast paced, funny book!, November 3, 2004

By 

Molly Grue "Renaissance Woman" (SF Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Top Secret (Hardcover)

When Allen Brewster, a fourth grader, decides to discover human photosynthesis for his school science project, his irritable teacher, Miss Green, calls his idea ridiculous and assigns a lipstick project instead. His parents are kind but unsupportive, but Allen is undeterred, especially when his tender and wise grandfather encourages him to pursue his research. Allen discovers that the biggest difference between hemoglobin and chlorophyll is that the former contains iron while the latter contains magnesium, so he decides to ingest foods that contain high levels of magnesium. He mixes salt water from an aquarium with peanut butter, Coco-Puffs, raw liver, and Mexican refried beans, runs the mixture through a blender, and drinks it. (Kids, don't try this at home!) After tinkering with his formula, he discovers that his skin has turned green, his taste buds have disappeared, he doesn't need to eat, and he craves sunlight. But then Allen faces numerous new obstacles. No one but his grandfather believes that he has discovered human photosynthesis. He gets aphids and starts sprouting roots. His crabby teacher ejects him from class and tells him not to come back until he looks like a normal human being. And once the government confirms that Allen has succeeded in discovering human photosynthesis, his project is classified as top secret, because it is a threat to national security! Will Allen ever be permitted to return to school? What will he do about the science fair? Will his nasty teacher ever get her comeuppance? This fast paced, funny book is very amusing, engaging, and highly recommended for reluctant readers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Sercert by John Gardiner, May 12, 2001

By 

Kaitlyn (Sarasota,FL U.S.A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Top Secret (Paperback)

crazy! Exciting! The book was exciting because something was always happening.It is a story about a boy,Allen Brewster, who wants to do a science project on human phytosynesis.His teacher, Miss.Green doesen't like his idea and makes him do his project on lipstick. He figures he will do his project on human phytosynesis top secert. When he figures out the way to human phytosynesis but when he tells people no one belives him.his faces tons of adventures on the way like getting the president and growing roots. The book made me never what to stop ;it was exciting.I liked all the problems in the book.If he did one thing another problem always came up.It was an on going adventure.Getting sick is one thing but getting bugs is an another story. In conclusion this is one of the best books I ever read. I hope you read it too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read Top Secret and you will be a plant., February 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Top Secret (Paperback)

Top Secret is about a boy named Allen Brewster who has to do a science project for Miss Green. Allen wants to do his project on discovering human photosynthesis. He discovers it, but noone believes him. Allen writes to the President for help and then things get Top Secret. I recommend this book because it is funny and crazy .It has plant.