Ada Twist and the Ghostly Gumdrops – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ada Twist and the Ghostly Gumdrops

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2019

93%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Think Scooby-Doo but with a lab coat and zero actual monsters—just high-speed curiosity and sugar-based science.

Ada Twist and the Ghostly Gumdrops

book

2019

93%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Think Scooby-Doo but with a lab coat and zero actual monsters—just high-speed curiosity and sugar-based science.

4.8

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4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

Ada Twist is the gold standard for STEM-focused kids' media. While some 'educational' books feel like a vitamin pill hidden in applesauce, this one actually tastes like the applesauce.

It’s smart, it’s fast-paced, and it treats its young readers like they’re capable of solving real problems. If you’re tired of 'brain rot' content, this is the literal antidote. It’s one of the few franchises that successfully transitioned from picture books to chapter books to TV without losing its soul or its intelligence.

Age Fit

Ideal for 6 to 9-year-olds. It’s the sweet spot for kids who are starting to read independently but still love a book that looks and feels fun.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It models a rare level of healthy collaboration among kids. Ada and her friends don't just 'get along'; they actively support each other's intellectual rabbit holes without the typical snark found in modern kids' media.

Imaginative

The book turns the scientific method into a playground. It frames curiosity not as a school chore, but as a way to engage with the world's weirdness, like 'ghostly' candy mysteries.

Safe

Completely safe. No hidden mature themes, no 'edgy' humor that misses the mark, and the 'ghostly' element is purely a hook for a logical explanation.

Enriching

It’s a masterclass in teaching kids to ask 'why' and 'how.' It introduces basic chemistry and physics concepts through narrative rather than dry facts, making the learning feel earned.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It makes the scientific method feel like an adventure rather than a classroom lecture.
David Roberts’ illustrations are crisp, stylish, and actually help tell the story rather than just filling space.
Ada is a fantastic lead who shows that being 'obsessed' with a question is a total superpower.
Perfect bridge for kids moving from picture books to 'real' stories without the intimidating wall of text.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'ghost' hook is very mild, but if you have a child who is genuinely terrified of the supernatural, you might want to spoil the ending (it's science!) early.
It’s a tie-in to the Netflix universe, so be prepared for the inevitable 'can I watch the show now?' request.

Conversation Starters

"If you saw a 'ghostly' gumdrop, what’s the first test you’d run to see if it was real?"
"Ada asks 'why' about everything. What's one thing in our house you've always wondered about?"
"Why is it okay that Ada's first guess about the mystery was wrong?"
"Which of Ada's friends would you want on your science team and why?"

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