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Quark's Academy
SCIENCE IN PROGRESS - ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Junior science geniuses Augustine, Celeste and Oscar can't believe their luck when they're accepted into an elite and mysterious science academy summer camp run by the elusive Inventor Quark.
From the moment they step inside the gates of Quark's Academy at the end of Molecule Drive, they know they're in for a week they'll never forget. But things at the academy are not quite what they seem, and the three quickly realise that they'll need to put their squabbles aside and their heads together if they're ever to get out of there alive...
A page-turning adventure for readers aged eight to twelve, QUARK'S ACADEMY is bound to cause a hair-raising reaction!
Junior science geniuses Augustine, Celeste and Oscar can't believe their luck when they're accepted into an elite and mysterious science academy summer camp run by the elusive Inventor Quark.
From the moment they step inside the gates of Quark's Academy at the end of Molecule Drive, they know they're in for a week they'll never forget. But things at the academy are not quite what they seem, and the three quickly realise that they'll need to put their squabbles aside and their heads together if they're ever to get out of there alive...
A page-turning adventure for readers aged eight to twelve, QUARK'S ACADEMY is bound to cause a hair-raising reaction!
- GenresMiddle GradeChildrens
233 pages, Paperback
Published January 30, 2018
18 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Pelosi
3 books5 followersCatherine Pelosi is a Sydney-based children's book author. When she was younger, she loved two things in equal measure: animals and writing stories. For a long time she wanted to be a zoologist. Catherine has had several jobs working with animals, including in wildlife rescue, as a dinosaur tour guide and marketing for an animal shelter in London, but her love of writing never went away. These days, she writes as often as she can. Catherine hasn't lost her love of animals, however, and you will often find one or two roaming through her stories. QUARK'S ACADEMY is Catherine's first novel; SOMETHING FOR FLEUR is her first picture book.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 1, 2018
Augustine, Celeste and Oscar have all been accepted to spend a week at the prestigious Quark Academy during the summer holidays. During this week they will be taught by Inventors and work on their own invention. On the final day the children will present their completed invention during a nationally televised Best Invention Competition.
Augustine, whose parents are both scientists, is interested in the weather. Celeste’s interest is in black holes and she has unfinished business with another competitor. Oscar loves science, in particular chemistry, and wants nothing more than for his parents to notice him like they do with his ‘golden child’ big brother, Toby.
The students soon learn that there’s more to Quark Academy than meets the eye and they’re going to have to use their combined skills to solve the mystery and return home at the end of the week.
I loved the ideas during the first half, in particular the extracting DNA from two animals, people or plants with the view to cross-modifying them. The different responses by the various students to the task was really interesting as it gave insight into their personalities. I also appreciated the ethical issues raised surrounding science and inventions - just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should.
Unfortunately I found the second half of the book, when all of the action was happening and the unravelling of the mystery, somewhat disappointing. I found myself wanting more quirky science ideas and I wanted to see more of the students working on their inventions. I didn’t have any emotional connection to the characters, the final third felt a little disjointed and the end wrapped up too quickly and neatly for my liking.
Overall this book had potential and I expect the target audience (8 to 12 year olds) will enjoy the fun and the mystery, but as an adult reader that reads a lot of novels aimed at children I wanted more focus on relationship between the students, in particular the other twelve students who for the most part have no role in the book.
I had trouble stopping myself from comparing this book to Jackie Yeager’s Spin the Golden Light Bulb, which I read a few weeks ago and adored. Perhaps if I had read Quark’s Academy for Genius Inventors first I would have enjoyed it more.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Hachette Childrens Books, Australia for the opportunity to read this book.
Augustine, whose parents are both scientists, is interested in the weather. Celeste’s interest is in black holes and she has unfinished business with another competitor. Oscar loves science, in particular chemistry, and wants nothing more than for his parents to notice him like they do with his ‘golden child’ big brother, Toby.
The students soon learn that there’s more to Quark Academy than meets the eye and they’re going to have to use their combined skills to solve the mystery and return home at the end of the week.
I loved the ideas during the first half, in particular the extracting DNA from two animals, people or plants with the view to cross-modifying them. The different responses by the various students to the task was really interesting as it gave insight into their personalities. I also appreciated the ethical issues raised surrounding science and inventions - just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should.
Unfortunately I found the second half of the book, when all of the action was happening and the unravelling of the mystery, somewhat disappointing. I found myself wanting more quirky science ideas and I wanted to see more of the students working on their inventions. I didn’t have any emotional connection to the characters, the final third felt a little disjointed and the end wrapped up too quickly and neatly for my liking.
Overall this book had potential and I expect the target audience (8 to 12 year olds) will enjoy the fun and the mystery, but as an adult reader that reads a lot of novels aimed at children I wanted more focus on relationship between the students, in particular the other twelve students who for the most part have no role in the book.
I had trouble stopping myself from comparing this book to Jackie Yeager’s Spin the Golden Light Bulb, which I read a few weeks ago and adored. Perhaps if I had read Quark’s Academy for Genius Inventors first I would have enjoyed it more.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Hachette Childrens Books, Australia for the opportunity to read this book.
August 27, 2018
When three budding inventors win a place at a prestigious summer camp, they can’t wait to go. Augustine, Celeste and Oscar get to attend Quark’s Academy for a week to study cutting edge science as well as compete for the prize for the best experiment. However, there are places there that are off-limits and when this curious trio try to find out why, they discover what’s really going on behind its sleek high-tech walls. As the stakes rise, the quirky main characters have to band together to work out a plan, in which plenty of cool inventions feature. Quark's Academy is sure to appeal to kids who like science and might just turn those who don't into fans. Fun and fast-paced, it would make a welcome addition to any junior school library. Perfect for kids 8-12.
September 21, 2018
Our youngest book club readers took on a scientific mystery this month and enjoyed the inventions, the adventure and the surprising ending. I am not allowed to mention cats, robots or clones!
We scored it:
5.5 / 8 / 9.75 / 7
We scored it:
5.5 / 8 / 9.75 / 7
March 14, 2018
The 'i's have it where this book is concerned - Interesting, inventive, intriguing, imaginative, intelligent. A novel about kids and science that will turbo-charge their imaginations. Love the flawed but redeemable child characters and the crazy adults. Lots of fun.
April 9, 2018
A rip-roaring adventure where 15 kids win a week to study at a very special - yes, a very special academy to develop their ideas for a new invention which they proposed in the entry to the competition and a chance to win a great prize.
Focus is generally maintained on three of the characters who are as different from each other as chalk and cheese. We don't get much info about the rest of the prizewinners at all.
The academy is, of course, whizz-bang high-tech. There are a few predictable outcomes such as a couple of robots but there are still plenty of surprises.
Augustine has parents who are forever making inventions which usually turn out disastrous.
Celeste is a quiet, lonely and very intense physics scientist but whose parents prefer sport but put emphasis on winning.
Oscar is a prankster whose parents have favouritism for his brother which makes Oscar want to have them notice him for a change.
But something sinister is going on at the academy. Can three such unlikely children who uncover the dastardly plot get help to escape before it's too late?
Read, find out and enjoy!
Focus is generally maintained on three of the characters who are as different from each other as chalk and cheese. We don't get much info about the rest of the prizewinners at all.
The academy is, of course, whizz-bang high-tech. There are a few predictable outcomes such as a couple of robots but there are still plenty of surprises.
Augustine has parents who are forever making inventions which usually turn out disastrous.
Celeste is a quiet, lonely and very intense physics scientist but whose parents prefer sport but put emphasis on winning.
Oscar is a prankster whose parents have favouritism for his brother which makes Oscar want to have them notice him for a change.
But something sinister is going on at the academy. Can three such unlikely children who uncover the dastardly plot get help to escape before it's too late?
Read, find out and enjoy!
May 8, 2018
A great example of imaginative middle grade fiction! I enjoyed the science focus of the book (though the Academy was stark and creepy - intentionally so, I suspect) and thought the plot was well constructed. Looking forward to reading other works by Pelosi soon.
June 16, 2018
A very clever debut middle grade novel from an Australian author, with international appeal. A cross between Willy Wonka and a science academy. Give this to young, intelligent readers, particularly if they gravitate toward an interest in science. Well done Catherine!
February 25, 2018
I love a book that my daughter finds so compelling that she spends her Sunday morning finishing it and then announces ‘that was brilliant mummy!’ She has also been inspired to enter this years school science fare because of the awesome science in the book. I know what will be our birthday gift for her friends this year!
March 23, 2018
‘SCIENCE IN PROGRESS – ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Junior science geniuses Augustine, Celeste and Oscar can’t believe their luck when they’re accepted into an elite and mysterious science academy summer camp run by the elusive Inventor Quark.
From the moment they step inside the gates of Quark’s Academy at the end of Molecule Drive, they know they’re in for a week they’ll never forget. But things at the academy are not quite what they seem, and the three quickly realise that they’ll need to put their squabbles aside and their heads together if they’re ever to get out of there alive…’
I absolutely loved this book.
This amazing junior fiction adventure is filled with humorous dialogue, Mad Scientists and a great array of peculiar characters for readers to fall in love with. Truly a page-turning adventure that was both engaging and entertaining. I really loved the pacing of this book, it really added to the sense of urgency throughout the story.
This is action-packed story is perfect for young readers who love science and
inventing things. I absolutely loved the fact that two of the young inventors were
female. This book really highlights female scientists and will hopefully encourage young female students to engage with the sciences.
Another fantastic element of this book is the way it deals with the personal issues faced by talented youngsters; the expectations they place on themselves, their sometimes strained family dynamics, and the difficulty they can face in making friends.
Catherine Pelosi has created a fantastic cast of characters, with so many great characters to connect with, I can’t imagine a reader not finding someone to fall in love with. This wonderful, funny and inventive novel, with amazing, diverse characters will leave
young readers wanting more.
Quark’s Academy by Catherine Pelosi is a truly marvelous book that will captivate and entertain readers of all ages.
Written by Geramie Kate Barker
https://gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Junior science geniuses Augustine, Celeste and Oscar can’t believe their luck when they’re accepted into an elite and mysterious science academy summer camp run by the elusive Inventor Quark.
From the moment they step inside the gates of Quark’s Academy at the end of Molecule Drive, they know they’re in for a week they’ll never forget. But things at the academy are not quite what they seem, and the three quickly realise that they’ll need to put their squabbles aside and their heads together if they’re ever to get out of there alive…’
I absolutely loved this book.
This amazing junior fiction adventure is filled with humorous dialogue, Mad Scientists and a great array of peculiar characters for readers to fall in love with. Truly a page-turning adventure that was both engaging and entertaining. I really loved the pacing of this book, it really added to the sense of urgency throughout the story.
This is action-packed story is perfect for young readers who love science and
inventing things. I absolutely loved the fact that two of the young inventors were
female. This book really highlights female scientists and will hopefully encourage young female students to engage with the sciences.
Another fantastic element of this book is the way it deals with the personal issues faced by talented youngsters; the expectations they place on themselves, their sometimes strained family dynamics, and the difficulty they can face in making friends.
Catherine Pelosi has created a fantastic cast of characters, with so many great characters to connect with, I can’t imagine a reader not finding someone to fall in love with. This wonderful, funny and inventive novel, with amazing, diverse characters will leave
young readers wanting more.
Quark’s Academy by Catherine Pelosi is a truly marvelous book that will captivate and entertain readers of all ages.
Written by Geramie Kate Barker
https://gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
November 4, 2018
Actual rating: 2 1/2, but rounded up as I'm sure children will enjoy it more than I did.
The story revolves around three children who are invited to attend a 1-week science academy and at the end of the week to present one their inventions to win a prize. They discover that the adult inventors at the academy are not all they appear and must expose the mystery/nefarious activity.
I was quite underwhelmed by this story. I'm also ambivalent about it. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, either. I didn't connect with any of the characters, and the character development was rather shallow.
Oscar, for example, is supposed to be the "mis-understood/acts out to get attention/suffering from sibling jealousy/parents don't pay attention to him" bully, who's not actually a real bully and helps save the day.
Augustine is supposed to be the child genius who suffers from parental neglect while they focus on their own inventions.
I didn't actually care for any of them. If you want to read a good series about a strong science-brained female protagonist dealing with parental neglect, I'd recommend the Friday Barnes series.
Overall, I was left feeling "Meh" and so wouldn't really recommend this book. I wouldn't NOT give it to a child to read, but it doesn't stand out over and above any other average book for the age group.
The story revolves around three children who are invited to attend a 1-week science academy and at the end of the week to present one their inventions to win a prize. They discover that the adult inventors at the academy are not all they appear and must expose the mystery/nefarious activity.
I was quite underwhelmed by this story. I'm also ambivalent about it. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, either. I didn't connect with any of the characters, and the character development was rather shallow.
Oscar, for example, is supposed to be the "mis-understood/acts out to get attention/suffering from sibling jealousy/parents don't pay attention to him" bully, who's not actually a real bully and helps save the day.
Augustine is supposed to be the child genius who suffers from parental neglect while they focus on their own inventions.
I didn't actually care for any of them. If you want to read a good series about a strong science-brained female protagonist dealing with parental neglect, I'd recommend the Friday Barnes series.
Overall, I was left feeling "Meh" and so wouldn't really recommend this book. I wouldn't NOT give it to a child to read, but it doesn't stand out over and above any other average book for the age group.
September 26, 2019
I really liked this book because it was so relatable. I am a big science nerd so this really made sense.
May 8, 2020
A fun science fiction with loads of experiments.
April 4, 2021
Loved this cool book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews