Competition fever shifts into overdrive with plenty of drama and learning to work together thrown in.

Doug is determined to become the greatest inventor ever, but his biological father sees sports in the future, instead. When the principal announces an intense, science competition with a special prize, Doug knows this is his chance to shoot for his dreams and shove that sport idea to the sidelines. But there's a hitch—isn't there always? It's a team competition, and Doug isn't anything but happy to work with others, especially when he realizes who he'll be working with. It was already going to be tough to prove himself, but now, it might just be impossible.

Science fair competition heads right into drama as these pages take on more than a few more serious issues, while embracing STEAM and the very competitive spirit. By allowing the chapters to switch between various characters' points of view, the reader gets to see the different challenges each person is facing and what is driving them to do what they do. It adds quite a bit of depth and more than a few subplots to weave with wit and heart under the main plot surrounding Doug's own goals and problems. Each of these hits upon themes, which middle graders can identify with (divorce, family health issues, pressures at home, etc), and each one comes across naturally. While all of this simmers along, the science fair madness (because this competition goes way beyond basic science fair) brings in STEAM goodness with technology, math, arts, and more. So much more.

Despite everything going on, the story runs smoothly and doesn't grow confusing. Each chapter begins with the character's name as well as a small symbol to represent them, so it's clear who is telling the story. Each one has their own voice, and their personalities come across nicely. This also helps get a good handle on that chaos surrounding the competition competitiveness. This is where the action sits...and it's not to be underestimated. It was fun to see the tension build as problems arose (emotional as well as practical), and there's enough snark and humor built in to add spice. The pacing rolls along with only a few slower areas here and there. There are more than a few details surrounding the science, which is wonderful but does go in deeper than some readers might enjoy. Those, who thrive in this direction, will appreciate this aspect, though.

This is a well-woven read, which incorporates diversity, science, and life issues with natural spark. Fans of science fair tension are especially going to want to take a peek at this one. I received an ARC and found the story weave well done. ( )

Control Freaks presents a group of very gifted students who must undertake challenges to win a school trophy. Chapters change points of view between various characters in the novel.

Frederick Douglass Zezzmer loves to invent gadgets. He would be a nerd at a regular school, but everyone at his magnet school is a nerd. Upon arriving at school, the principal has decided to challenge his nerdy population. Students will be given groups (with an opportunity to switch groups under certain rules). A different challenge will occur daily for one week: science, technology, engineering, math, and sports. Doug wants to go to a GadgetCon and decides if he can win this contest, he will be chosen by the principal to attend. Huey Linkmeyer, Doug's best friend, has different skills from Doug, but Huey ensures they're on the same team. They end up with an interesting, eclectic team, some of whom are feared by everyone. As the week progresses, they'll have to learn how and when to lead and not lead and how to work as a team. These challenges become everything to Doug.

T. W. Jackson-Zezzmer is Doug's step-brother and suffers from the expectations of others, too. Doug's father has returned to town and wants to be a father--even though Doug hardly knows him and sees his own step-father as a real father. T. W. fails to be excited about this family kinship either. He doesn't have the brains Doug has, but he does enjoy science-fiction and wants to attend the arts school that Doug attends, but he's afraid to tell his mom or stepfather. Needless to say, the two boys do not get along. To make the situation worse, Mr. Zezzmer places his own expectations on both of the boys. He believes sports will be their ticket to success. Doug hates sports, but his father insists Doug attend a sports camp during the summer instead of GadgetCon. T. W. excels in sports but wants to write.

The novel ultimately relates that communication creates working relationships. The team must communicate who the leader must be for each challenge while Doug and T. W. need to communicate with their father and each other. Overall, I enjoyed the novel and meeting all of the characters, from the classmates to the family members. This book is for the person who feels like she/he has no control over her/his life due to the adults in it yet has dreams for the future. ( )