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Discounted Library Copies
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is a STEM-based adventure where chemistry meets chaos, physics bends reality, and curiosity might just save the world. An educational book series that has received 5-star ratings from major professional reviewers in UK, USA and Canada.
The Clean Planet Foundation (publisher) is currently offering discounted library copies to selected libraries in the UK, USA and Canada. Why?
“Edutainment at its finest—exciting, funny, and impossible to put down!”
- Chris Riches, Daily Express
“Encourages kids to think deeply, explore bravely, and believe their questions matter.”"
"Brilliantly clever!
Pure scientific magic!"
- John Ward, The Star
- Will Barker, The Sun
READ FULL PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS:
Now also available as a major audiobook release, read by JENNIFER SAUNDERS
- LoveReadingUK
The Blurb
Ellie doesn’t believe in magic, she believes in science.
But science is magic!
Science explains everything, right? But when Ellie’s school burns down in roaring purple flames (wait, what?), her favourite teacher hands her wrist bracers that summon the elements (Bracers…Nitrogen!), and she’s invited to join a secret society of the smartest minds on Earth (yikes!), suddenly not everything has an explanation after all!
Driven by logic, unshakeable stubbornness, and an unreasonable number of jam jars, Ellie is determined to prove that science can explain everything – no matter how strange things get.
But can she?
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is a STEM-based adventure where chemistry meets chaos, physics bends reality, and curiosity might just save the world.
The gold standard in book reviews since 1933
“A quirky science adventure with an engaging message of sustainability and hope.
Effectively blends environmental science, mystery tropes, and discussions of ethics in this story for STEM-focused middle-grade readers.
The narrative handles the complexities of trying to save the world with nuance and care."
"This playful novel—set in England’s picturesque small-town of Hapsie—recalls Harry Potter and
Hogwarts, but instead of magic, science unites the story. Ellie’s experiments and discoveries offer
opportunities for the heroine to break into explanations about the scientific principles involved."
"There’s much to appreciate about this purpose-driven book. Along with a valuable STEM focus, the
story is creative, and Ellie’s fierce stubbornness and willingness to go head-to-head with adults
makes her a strong role model."
Extract from official BlueInk review
"Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is a witty, warmhearted novel about kindness, truth, and science.
In Bertie Stephens’s wonderful mystery novel Ellie Ment and the Material Matter, an aspiring scientist investigates a blaze at her school."
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter: The Science Book Your Child Will Actually Want to Read
By Timothy Arden
"Smart, funny and grounded in real science, Bertie Stephens’ novel is a gripping eco-mystery that helps children connect the dots without ever talking down to them. It’s a book that opens the conversation about science and environmentalism...
... Plenty of books try to tackle the subject, but few treat children as if they’re genuinely capable of grasping real science—and even fewer manage to make that science exciting. Ellie Ment does both. In fact, it’s the rare children’s book that manages to be educational, gripping and laugh-out-loud funny all at once."
...If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to your children about plastic waste, climate change, or why grown-ups always dodge the big questions, this book does it. It even makes quantum relativity sound like something you’d chat about over breakfast. Every school should have a copy. Every kitchen table should have a child reading it."
One of Stephens’s standout themes is the tension between idealism and pragmatism in environmental action.
The narrative challenges readers to consider whether compromising ethics for the greater good is justifiable, a question that resonates deeply in today’s climate crisis. Stephens also excels at making science accessible and exciting, seamlessly integrating important learning concepts into the plot to inspire curiosity in young readers."
"Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is a brilliant fusion of education and entertainment, making complex scientific concepts accessible and exciting through Ellie’s infectious enthusiasm.
Bertie Stephens’ storytelling, paired with a cast of relatable characters, creates a narrative that is both thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud fun.
The environmental themes, underscored by the Clean Planet Foundation’s mission, resonate deeply, urging young readers to question systems and take action.
I highly recommend this book to young readers and adults alike who love science, adventure, and stories that inspire courage and curiosity.
The story blends quantum physics, environmental activism, and youthful rebellion, and leads to a thrilling cliffhanger with a neon green sky.
This is a must-read that will leave you eagerly awaiting Ellie’s next move. Ellie has more adventures to come!"
Cherubimaris Casino, for Readers' Favorite
Ellie perfectly embodies the children of the STEM generation as she regularly engages in scientific observation and experimentation that would often be considered far beyond her years....
...A brilliant beginning to a series that promises many more adventures, Ellie's quest to protect the planet earns five out of five stars for storytelling excellence. Read In Full
Dakota Love, for Reedsy Discovery
"Okay, so first things first: this book is a blast.
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter isn’t your average “kid genius saves the world” story. It’s fun, it’s quirky, and it somehow manages to sneak real science lessons into a story that never feels like homework."
Bottom line? Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is smart, funny, and way more exciting than I expected. It’s the kind of book I’d happily pass along to my younger cousins, but also one I had no problem enjoying as a grown-up who just likes a good adventure."
“Ellie Ment and the Material Matter succeeds in something rare: it makes science feel exciting without being intimidating...
...A delightful blend of adventure, science, and environmental awareness. At its heart, this is a book about curiosity and the courage to ask questions… an invitation to young readers to see wonder not in the fantastical, but in the tangible mysteries of the natural world.
Children will enjoy the quirky adventures, the jam-jar experiments, and the mysteries Ellie stumbles into, while adults will appreciate the gentle encouragement to nurture curiosity and responsibility in the next generation."
"a perfect blend of fun, informative, and timely."
"ELLIE MENT is also just plain fun. The text crams in a lot of adventure: a mysterious set of gauntlets that grant power over elements; an inciting mystery that can only be solved with knowledge of chemistry; a secret society with a vast underground lair...
... ELLIE MENT is exciting, funny, and charming. However, at its heart, it’s a call to action—to stand up, to be our best selves, and to stand together to tackle the challenges we all face in the current moment.
Key Themes
STEM
Adventure
Introduces children to real scientific concepts (elements, compounds, chemical reactions, quantum superposition) through thrilling, accessible storytelling.
Friendship and Teamwork
Ellie and Michael's frienship highlights the importance of diverse talents—science and art, logic and creativity—working together toward a bigger goal. There isn’t just one type of ‘smart’.
The
Environment
Tackles real-world issues like microplastic pollution, unsustainable industry practices, and the importance of circularity.
Courage and Curiosity
The bravery to ask questions, experiment, and stand up for what’s right underpins Ellie’s journey.
Youth Empowerment
Ellie symbolises the next generation challenging the old way of doing things. The story explores the frustration and hope young people experience when confronting adult compromise.
"Edutainment at its Finest"
Chris Riches and the Daily Express says it the best... "Edutainment at its finest - exciting, funny and impossible to put down!"
Tone and Narrative Style
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Playful, witty, and self-aware.
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The narrator often breaks the fourth wall with cheeky asides, drawing the reader deeper into the adventure.
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The tone balances humour and high-stakes tension, keeping younger readers excited while introducing meaningful messages.
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Ellie’s failures, experiments, and messy victories are relatable and inspiring for a generation taught that progress is built on persistence.
Scientific and Educational Foundations
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The Elemental Bracers are grounded in real atomic theory and chemical science.
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Concepts such as compounds, states of matter, reaction chains, the conservation of mass, and quantum mechanics (especially quantum superposition and the observer effect) are woven into the story naturally.
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Ellie Ment makes science fun, magical, and powerful—without distorting the real-world possibilities of STEM.
