I received a complimentary copy of The Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School. My opinions are my own, because, really, who else could they possibly belong to?

Wilmer has always known that the greatest science comes from the keenest observations. So when he observes his classmates looking a little green…and orange…and chartreuse-fuchsia polka-dotted…he knows that it’s up to him to find the cause of this mysterious illness—and the cure.

But with his arch nemesis, Claudius Dill, hot on his heels; the eagle-eyed biology teacher, Mrs. Padgett, determined to thwart his plans; and a host of fluorescent classmates bouncing off the walls at increasingly dangerous speeds, can Wilmer prove he has what it takes to save the sixth grade from a colorful demise before it’s too late?

I love anything having to do with viruses. Admittedly, I usually go for the fatal illnesses gone wild stories. Still, part of the appeal for me when it comes to The Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School by Fowler DeWitt is that it has to do with a virus. Sure, it’s a virus that turns everyone different colors, but at it’s heart, it’s kind of like an epidemic-fiction story for kids! What could be better? What a fun way to introduce my son to one of my favorite subjects: itty bitty microscopic bugs that can wreak havoc on everything around them!

Okay, so The Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School isn’t really THAT kind of virus fiction. Really, it’s more of a story about a young scientist who steps up to the challenge of curing his classmates. I absolutely love the character of Wilmer Dooley! Any kid who tries to woo the girl of his dreams with a poem that includes the words “lower intestines” in it is okay in my book. Alas, he couldn’t find a rhyme for those words, so the poem never quite did what it was meant to do.

Wilmer sets out to find the cure. It can get a little gross here! He collects spit! Ugh! You know, I went to nursing school. I dealt with a lot of really unpleasant bodily fluids. Spit STILL gives me the heebie jeebies! Oh, and sputum? Forget it! The word alone makes me wretch! Phlegm, mucus- not even remotely decent alternatives. But I digress. Yes, Contagious Colors gets a little high on the ick factor at time, but that will totally appeal to kids. The higher the ick factor, the more my son wants to read something.

Overall, Contagious Colors is just as fun to read aloud as it is for kids to read on their own. Jacob and I like to take turns reading to each other at night. He’s in 3rd grade and had no issues reading this one. It did open up some nice questions about science! I love the combination of 3rd person writing and Wilmer’s own words in his journal. It really breaks things up nicely and adds a fun element to the story.

If you want to learn more about this super fun book for kids, check out the book trailer.

Contagious Colors Giveaway

Want to win Custom-made Contagious Colors Band-Aids and a copy of The Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School?  Just enter below for your chance! Open to US Residents. Giveaway ends 10/7/13.
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