David Patel and his sidekick Marta Martinez venture into a Micro Universe, a weird world that doesn’t obey the laws of conventional physics. They get back to their own world thanks to the help of a strange little creature named Spark. But none of them realize that a group of nefarious critters have come back with them.
Ten-year-old David Patel really enjoys science. David’s scientist mom helped inspire that special passion. In fact, David is so jazzed about science that he even started an afterschool club for kids in his neighborhood. The goal is to get together and create fun little experiments using nothing but household items.
For instance, did you know that mixing vinegar and baking soda in a small plastic bottle will create enough carbon dioxide gas to blow up a balloon? Yep. It’s true.
Problem is, David hasn’t had much luck getting other kids to see just how super cool science experiments can be. Usually, it’s only he and Marta—a homeschooled pal of his—who show up. But that’s OK. They’ll keep working to get the word out.
In the meantime, something just happened that pretty much shook David’s world. He was walking home while chatting with Marta when his house went, well, Fazoom! (As in, a great big explosion took place.)
When David and Marta ran into his disheveled and recently fazoomed house, David quickly realized two things: His scientist mom’s experiment must have finally worked; and she was probably pulled into it.
You see, David’s mom has been working on a theory that, if she could shrink down small enough, she might be able to pierce the barriers between dimensions. That’s right, she believes that there’s a Micro Universe between atoms. (Yeah, her experiments are way beyond baking soda and vinegar.) And she may have just proven it.
David found his mom’s magnifying glass-like gizmo thingy in her partially destroyed lab, but no sign of her. Of course, it’s at this point that David realizes that if his mom was indeed swept into this crazy in-between world, she went without her gizmo thingy. And there’s no way for her to get back.
So … David and Marta will have to use mom’s device and go rescue her. David will need to gather some science supplies, and then they’ll dive into this Micro Universe, too.
“Are we going to science?” Marta joyously exclaims. “I love it when we science.”
But here’s the thing: There’s no telling what David and Marta will encounter in this bizarre world. And there’s no telling what kind of science they’ll need to use to get back. Will there be friendly creatures there? Will there be dangerous ones? Will David’s mom be OK?
To be safe, David fills his backpack to the brim with all the household items he might need for all the possible science experiments he can think of.
Hey, you can never be too prepared.
None.
The Spark Experiment is a story of fantasy and science. On the one hand, David conducts real experiments with normal household items to solve the problems he faces. However, the book also asks readers to accept a fantasy world that holds fantastic creatures.
One of those broad imaginary critters is something called a Spark. David recounts how his dad once told him that “Every idea starts with a spark.” And this Micro Universe creature embodies that sense of creative inspiration. David and Marta also run into the Spark’s polar opposite in this tiny world, a Negatron. These creatures drain away a person’s ability to follow through on great ideas. In fact, these creatures make people they encounter feel depressed and listless.
A Spark and several Negatrons return with David, Marta and Mom to our universe and we watch these creatures impact others.
David’s mom loves her son and inspires him. But she tends to be overfocused on her science experiments at times.
There are several other adults in the story, including teachers and local parents, but we don’t see much of them other than when they are impacted by the Spark’s inspiration or depressed by the Negatrons. We eventually see that, with the right encouragements, even Negatrons can be inspired to make positive choices.
David and Marta are faced with a few lightly perilous situations. For instance, they must come up with scientific solutions to help them cross a dangerous chasm and to deal with an onrush of threatening Negatrons.
David has a bit of a crush on a girl named Lisa. And his attraction is obvious to those around him. For instance, when he brings up Lisa in a discussion, Marta replies, “Wait, Lisa as in will-you-marry-me-and-be-my-future-bride Lisa?”
Have you ever considered all the many ways that science is a part of our lives? For that matter, did you realize that you can use things you have at home for scientific experiments?
Some people suggest that faith and science are at odds. But many declare that accurate science does not contradict the Bible. Can you think of ways that might be true?
There are biblical verses that point to the need for scientific study. Proverbs 30:18-19, for instance, declares the value of studying the world around us. Take a look at 1 Kings 4:33, Genesis 1:1 and Romans 1:20. Can you see scientific applications in each of those verses?
The Spark Experiment blames some people’s negative attitudes on the fictional Negatrons. Can you think of real things in life that can leave us feeling depressed or unhappy? How can we avoid those kinds of things and strive to be creative and positive?
The Spark Experiment is a fun graphic novel that encourages young readers to consider the creative side of science and the fact that scientific reactions are a natural part of our everyday lives. It also indulges in some scientific theories that are more fantastical than fact.
The book asks readers to broadly consider the things in life that might spur us on to creative action—and the things that might drive us toward boredom and depression.
The Spark Experiment also cheers working together with friends to overcome problems.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.
