Arthur's Science Fair Trouble

by Marc Brown

Arthur has to do a science fair project, but all of the good ideas are taken: Buster is building a rocket, Muffy is growing crystals, and Francine is making a bird feeder. Arthur learns a valuable lesson when he finds his father’s old solar system project in the attic and tries to use it for his own science fair project. Includes two pages of stickers to help beginning readers create their own Arthur stories.

Genres: Science

24 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2000

About the author

Marc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.

He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.

Reviews

[Dianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story feels like it's missing the end. Arthur makes a poor choice. He feels guilty. Then there is no closure for him at the end. He's found out and that's it. We love Arthur, but this is not the best.

[Arminzerella · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Arthur can't come up with a good idea for his science fair project, he finds one of his father's and passes it off as his own. When it wins a blue ribbon, Arthur feels sick and confesses the truth. The ribbon goes to his dad, and Arthur's in the dog house with his teacher AND his family. A rather disappointing read, with any consequences for Arthur's dishonesty and plagiarism happening off the page. We all expected better from you, Arthur.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son pointed out that he didn't like that Arthur tried to fix things, wasn't able to, and still just got in trouble. He said Arthur shouldn't have gotten into so much trouble since he was trying to make it right. I think he's right. Arthur realizes his mistake, he's learned from it, what's the point of further punishments?

[Asho · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think perhaps the book my son received was missing some pages. It ended with the discovery that Arthur had cheated on the science fair project, and DW announcing that he was going to be in trouble, but there was no resolution. Arthur felt bad but didn't have a chance to make things right again, which seems rather unfair for a children's book. My three-year-old did love the stickers, though.