Book Review of Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign
The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Science education, friendship dynamics, bullying, empathy building, consequences, social belonging, family relationships
Science education and authentic middle-grade social dynamics combine in Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign, which offers young readers a compelling story about empathy, consequences, and the power of looking beyond surface judgments to find our shared humanity.
Sixth-grader Georgia Watson is thrilled to finally have a best friend in Izzy and is eagerly anticipating their upcoming Camp Atwood field trip together. But when Georgia’s digital genetics “experiment”—creating photo mashups of classmates to explore dominant and recessive traits—accidentally gets printed and shared around school, everything falls apart. Her friendship with Izzy crumbles, mean girl Nicole seems more powerful than ever, and Georgia finds herself facing serious consequences from her teacher, Mr. C, whom she desperately wants to impress.
As Georgia grapples with the fallout from her actions, she begins to see her classmates in a new light. Armed with her growing understanding that all humans share more than 99 percent of their genetic material, Georgia must navigate the complex social dynamics of middle school while learning important lessons about empathy, responsibility, and what it truly means to belong.
Author Sara F. Shacter has skillfully woven genuine scientific concepts throughout the narrative that make genetics accessible and relevant for kids. Lessons about the Punnett squares, dominant traits, and heredity naturally emerge from Georgia’s curiosity and mishaps, which creates an authentic STEAM learning experience. More importantly, the science serves the story’s deeper message about our fundamental similarities despite surface differences.
The character development feels authentic and earned, with Georgia’s emotional journey reflecting the real challenges middle schoolers face when dealing with friendship conflicts, academic pressure, and social belonging. The well-developed supporting characters each carry their own complexities and motivations, which makes this book an excellent choice for middle-grade readers navigating friendship challenges.
Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign is a celebration of both intellectual curiosity and emotional intelligence. For students interested in science and anyone seeking stories that resonate on an emotional level, this book is a thoughtful, scientifically grounded choice.
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About the Author
Sara Shacter’s debut middle-grade novel, Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign, is everything Sara loves— a heartfelt friendship tale, a scientific exploration, and a call for compassion. Sara also writes picture books, as well as magazine articles and educational nonfiction for kids. A former classroom teacher, she currently tutors kindergarteners through high schoolers. Sara is a passionate volunteer and works to turn the tide on climate change and political polarization.
Visit her at www.sarafshacter.com.
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