This is a solid, well-executed middle grade novel that takes the standard "new school, new friends" premise and gives it a science-lab twist. Maddie is a likable protagonist who feels real—awkward, grieving, analytical, and trying her best.

The book doesn't break new ground in children's literature, but it does what it sets out to do well. The grief processing is honest without being overwhelming, the friendship drama feels authentic, and the STEM framing is genuinely clever rather than forced. It's the kind of book that might help a science-loving kid see that social skills are also learnable—just like experiments.

Not a must-read classic, but a good, enriching choice for the target age that combines emotional growth with a protagonist kids will root for. The 4.6 Amazon rating suggests it connects with its audience, which matters more than critical acclaim for this age group.