About This Book
In this humorous chapter book, Phineas L. MacGuire, a young scientist, faces a new challenge: cooking dinner every night. Initially daunted by vague recipes, he soon discovers that cooking is much like chemistry, allowing him to approach it with scientific precision. The plot thickens as Phineas and his friends prepare for a $10,000 bake-off, all while he must contend with Evan Forbes, a school bully who develops an insatiable, threatening craving for Phineas's brownies. This story is perfect for early to late elementary readers (ages 4-11) who enjoy a blend of science, friendship, and lighthearted conflict resolution. It encourages problem-solving, resilience, and standing up to bullies with wit and teamwork.
"Phineas has a new chore of cooking dinner every night, but his kitchen experiments take a turn for the worse when the school bully takes a huge liking to Phineas's brownies"--
Concepts
bullying
Discussion Prompts
1
What was Phineas's biggest challenge when he started cooking? How did he overcome it?
2
How did Phineas use his science skills to help him in the kitchen? Can you think of other ways science is used in everyday life?
3
How did Phineas and his friends deal with the bully, Evan? What would you do if you were in Phineas's shoes?
4
What does this book teach us about trying new things, even if they seem difficult at first?
5
Why do you think friendship was so important to Phineas in this story?
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