A graphic novel that encourages reader engagement through 18 actual experiments. They are scattered throughout the story of two kids who try and save their town.

Here is the official word on this engaging title:

Fifth grader David Patel and his spirited second-grade neighbor Marta Martinez, uncover a science experiment gone wrong and are suddenly transported to the mysterious Micro Universe-a strange dimension where the laws of physics no longer apply. With the help of a curious creature named Spark, they manage to return home.. not realizing they’ve accidentally brought back a dangerous threat: Negatrons, energy-draining beings intent on invading their town. As they spread, David, Marta, and Spark must use creativity, problem-solving, and 18 real do-it- yourself science experiments-all of which readers can perform themselves-to save their community and learn to “spark” their own imaginations along the way.

There is also a QR code in the final pages that leads to videos describing each experiment. A great extra that provides hours of hands-on fun.

The graphics stand out on every pages with colorful panels that show each character’s emotions. Story telling and science blend together in winning fashion. THE SPARK EXPERIMENT is a perfect choice for new and established readers of middle grade graphic novels.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: April 28, 2026. PAGES: 144

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew K. Manning is the author of over 100 comic books and equally as many prose books. He has written for DC, Marvel, IDW, Storm King, Skybound, Mad Cave, Abrams, Scholastic, Disney, DK Publishing, Insight Editions, Capstone, Andrews/McMeel, Running Press, and several other publishers. Some of his favorite projects include his creator-owned series John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction: Pause, the mini-series Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, the kids’ science adventure The Spark Experiment, the hardcover The Batman Files, the twelve-issue comic series Marvel Action: Avengers, and his multiple stints on the Dick Tracy comic strip.

He lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife Dorothy and his two goofball kids, Lee and Gwen.(Matthew K. Manning’s WEBSITE)

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Matthew Loux is creator of the graphic novels My Journey to Japan, Escape to Yokai Mountain (Tuttle Publishing), Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring, The Time Museum Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (First Second Books), Sidescrollers and the five volume series Salt Water Taffy (originally published by Oni Press) and is artist for The Spark Experiment (Andrews McMeel). The Time Museum Vol. 1 received a starred Kirkus review, was listed on the 2018 Texas Library Association’s prestigious Maverick list, was a Panda Book Award winner of 2018 and was nominated for the RI Children’s Book Award. Sidescrollers was placed on the American Library Association’s YALSA, Great Graphic Novels for Teens, list of 2008 and in 2009 Salt Water Taffy was placed on the Texas Library Association’s Maverick list as was Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring in 2023. Matthew also illustrated the graphic novel F-Stop and the board comic Good Night Gabbaland based on the Nick Jr. television show Yo Gabba Gabba and has contributed comics and cover art for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
Matthew lives in New York. (Matthew Loux’s WEBSITE)

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