By Bertie Stephens (author) , Farras Raihan, Milena Vieira (illustrator) Part of the Ellie Ment series
"Filled with friendship, courage and curiosity, this inspirational eco-adventure is suffused in the magic of science. A thrilling STEM adventure, made all the more magical by Jennifer Saunders’ voice."
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Available on Amazon.
Introduced by Stanley Johnson, who declares, “This book pulls off something quite remarkable. It makes science genuinely exciting, the problems facing our world accessible, and environmental responsibility fun”, Bertie Stephens’ Ellie Ment and the Material Matter boasts a spritely whimsical style that breaks the fourth wall in a race-against-time eco-adventure that brims with curiosity-sparking ideas.
Wise beyond her years, eleven-year-old Ellie “loved science, because with science, everything had an explanation”. Conversely, “She had no time for magic” because “Magic isn’t science”. And therein lies one of the ideas that underpin this environmentalist STEM adventure — namely, the magic of science!
As for the adventure, when Ellie’s school burns down, a succession of extraordinary events see her join a secret society for the super smart in order to save the world. Joined by Michael, whose creative talents show there’s more than one way to be smart, their adventure is thrillingly plotted.
With an audio version narrated by Jennifer Saunders, Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is a wonderful story for 9+-year-olds to read alone, or else for families to discover together in its entertaining aural form. Though its appeal for STEM-mad kids are clear, the author’s accessible presentation of science is likely to convert new recruits to his “science is magic” crew!
Joanne Owen, A LoveReading4Kids Ambassador
For kids interested in STEM, funny adventures, and science you can perform at home!
No one believes this more than Ellie Ment.
But when Ellie’s school suddenly burns down in roaring purple flames, she finds herself questioning everything she knew. Her favourite teacher hands her wrist bracers that summon the elements and soon she is invited to join a secret society of the smartest minds on Earth! To save the world, Ellie has to master her powers quickly, but can she?
With only her logic, stubbornness, and an unreasonable number of jam jars in tow, Ellie is determined to prove that science can explain everything – no matter how strange things get…
Join Ellie Ment on her exciting journey and learn the wonders of science right alongside her!
Also now available, book two, Ellie Ment and the Passage to Glenmorgan .
“Magic is just science we don’t understand yet.” – Arthur C. Clarke
Praise for book two Ellie Ment and the Passage to Glenmorgan :
'Ingenious, urgent, unstoppable — This is a sequel with serious brains.' - Chris Riches, Daily Express
'Stephens delivers a children’s book where science, conscience and courage collide, trusting its young readers with real ideas. - Richard Moriarty, The Sun
Bertie Stephens is an entrepreneur, environmentalist and now author whose career has spanned film, tech, and sustainability. Supported by the Clean Planet Foundation, he brings his creative and scientific passions together in his debut children’s novel, Ellie Ment and the Material Matter — a fast-paced adventure grounded in real-world environmental challenges.
By day, Bertie is the CEO and co-founder of Clean Planet Group, a pioneering environmental technology company that’s tackling one of the world’s most pressing issues: plastic waste. Through its flagship ecoPlants, Clean Planet transforms non-recyclable plastics into high-demand circular products, reducing carbon emissions and supporting the circular economy. The Group includes Clean Planet Energy, Clean Planet Technologies, and the Clean Planet Foundation – a not-for-profit division driving education, awareness and action aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and also publisher of Ellie Ment.
Under Bertie’s leadership, Clean Planet Energy has raised hundreds of millions in capital to build their ecoPlant facilities, and entered joint ventures across the UK, US, Europe, and beyond. Clean Planet Foundation’s projects have reached international recognition, with its work featured on the BBC and even the official UN COP magazine. In 2023, the Foundation’s documentary Behind The Trees swept major film awards, including the New York International Film Awards and Cannes World Film Festival.
Bertie’s entrepreneurial journey began over a decade ago as co-founder and CEO of the demand-driven marketplace Flubit.com. Named one of the UK’s most valuable venture-backed startups and acquired in 2018 by blockchain group MonetaryUnit, Flubit evolved into a global crypto-integrated eCommerce platform. His inclusion in Debrett’s 500 Most Influential People in Britain in 2016 recognised not just his business impact, but also his mentorship and innovative thinking.
Bertie is also the editor of HAPSIE, the comic book for budding eco-warriors, which now has 10,000 print readers in the UK and beyond, and you’ll find some of the characters from the Ellie Ment book popping up
Alongside running companies, Bertie has long been immersed in the creative arts. He co-founded MWS Media, a video production agency, and produced multiple independent films – including The Sweet Shop, starring Gemma Atkinson and Harry Potter alumnus Matthew Lewis (who he met when he acted as his performance double on the last 3 Harry Potter movies!). His first feature, Roanoke: The Lost Colony, was distributed as an educational tool across all 50 US states.
With Ellie Ment and the Material Matter, Bertie blends his background in science, media, and entrepreneurship to create a compelling, imaginative series grounded in real-world challenges. Ellie’s story is one of youthful idealism challenging adult pragmatism – a familiar dynamic for Bertie, who has spent his career pushing boundaries and disrupting convention.
When not writing or building climate solutions, Bertie continues to advise and invest in creative and tech ventures, including SmartEye Productions (video), FeastHQ (late-night food delivery), and Reach OnAir (online radio).
He spends his time between England and Czechia with his beautiful wife, Steph, and adorable 3 year old, Oskar.
The Clean Planet Foundation publishes the HAPSIE magazine , the comic book for budding eco-warriors .
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Action-packed, thrilling, scientific, this book is perfect for science enthusiasts ages 10 and above!
Let me introduce you to Ellie Ment; a self-proclaimed, 11 year old scientist, but a brilliant one nonetheless. When her school burns down in purple flames, Ellie is determined to find an explanation for this. However, it is beginning to seem that not everything has a logical explanation, even more so when her science teacher gives her Elemental Bracers that allow her to summon elements from within her body. Can Ellie uncover the truth about her school? Or will she land in something larger than just her?
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is an educational, fast-paced read with hints of humour that keeps you on tenterhooks the whole way.... Read Full Review
Perfect for readers who like a mix of science, curiosity, and adventure
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is a really engaging and thoughtful book that manages to turn science into an adventure. From my perspective, Ellie is a brilliant main character because she's not just clever-she's curious, determined, and always asking questions about how things work. She doesn't always get everything right, which makes her feel realistic and shows that learning takes time.
One of the strongest parts of the book is how it explains ideas about materials and matter in a way that feels natural and interesting. The science is built into the story, so instead of feeling like a lesson, it feels like you're discovering things alongside Ellie.... Read Full Review
Eden Chidgey-Robertson
Really good book about an adventure with the environment and science. Definitely recommend
Really awesome book, definitely worth a read to any young teens. The story is about a young girl named Ellie who becomes involved in mysterious and strange situations. We love that it has alot of stuff about science, the environment and adventures. We also learnt alot of new things reading this story.... Read Full Review
Available on Amazon. For kids interested in STEM, funny adventures, and science you can perform at home!
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Ellie Ment and the Material Matter and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Indie Author Books , Indie Books We Love, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Stories about Family and Friends, Science, Ecological and Environmental Interest - Non Fiction, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s / Teenage: Social issues / topics
Paperback, Hardback. Not Available.
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter was written by Bertie Stephens and published by Clean Planet Foundation
Yes it is part of Ellie Ment series
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