On Tuesday 2 September, 2025, a British children’s book that combines science and fantasy has reached #1 on Amazon in both the US and UK. The book, titled “Ellie Ment and the Material Matter,” is being praised as a groundbreaking addition to children’s fiction and is inspiring thousands of young readers on both sides of the Atlantic. What makes this book even more special is its purpose: published by the not-for-profit organization The Clean Planet Foundation, every copy sold contributes to funding science and environmental projects in schools and communities, furthering the Foundation’s mission.
Since its release at the end of June 2025, “Ellie Ment and the Material Matter” has been selected as summer reading and start-of-year reading for over 1,000 students in various locations across the United States including Florida, Philadelphia, Arizona, Oklahoma, Indiana, Texas, and Connecticut. Educators have noted that the book has been an effective way to ignite children’s interest in science while keeping them entertained.
Angee Costa, a former teacher, principal, and curriculum writer, led a program for 100 students at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, Florida. She shared her thoughts on the book, saying, “Ellie Ment and the Material Matter does something rare – it makes science exciting without feeling like a lesson. We started reading it together, but the children were eager to continue the story on their own. They weren’t just enjoying the adventure – they wanted to discuss the real science behind it. As an educator, that’s the dream: a book that makes kids eager to learn more.”
Children in the UK are also embracing the book. Twelve-year-old Georgina Fox from London shared, “After reading this book, I started looking up experiments to try myself.” Eleven-year-old Lucas Boghici from Buckinghamshire added, “Ellie Ment felt like a Marvel movie, turning science into real magic. My little sister is already reading it too.”
The book’s momentum has been amplified through social media, with clips and recommendations being shared on accounts with millions of combined followers. Viral school influencer Holly Hos (@thehos), whose TikTok account has 1.5 million followers, posted about the book and received over 10,000 likes and comments across her social media platforms.
At its core, “Ellie Ment and the Material Matter” follows 11-year-old Ellie Ment, whose school is destroyed by a mysterious purple fire. Drawn into a world of hidden science, secret societies, and impossible choices, she must decide whether science should solve environmental problems at any cost or if some compromises should never be made.
On Goodreads, a global reader platform, “Ellie Ment and the Material Matter” holds an impressive 4.7-star rating, with readers calling it “funny, clever, and unforgettable.” The novel has also reached the top spot in several key Amazon book categories, including Children’s Science Fiction and Children’s Action Adventure in both the UK and USA.
Kirkus Reviews, a highly respected book review publication established in 1933, praised the novel as “a quirky science adventure… handling the complexities of trying to save the world with nuance and care.” The review also carried Kirkus’ “Get It” recommendation, their highest accolade, placing the book among a select group of essential reading.
Bertie Stephens, CEO of the Clean Planet Foundation, shared that the organization turned to storytelling as another way to inspire children about the environment and science. He stated, “Seeing hundreds of children discover Ellie’s story each day has been extraordinary. What makes this achievement even more exciting is knowing that every book sold directly funds our work in schools and communities. This STEM book gives more young people the chance to see that science can be just as magical as fantasy.”
The book also features a foreword by Stanley Johnson, father of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Johnson is a renowned environmentalist and author who has received awards from Greenpeace, WWF, and the RSPB for his conservation work. In his foreword, he describes the story as, “This book pulls off something quite remarkable. It makes science genuinely exciting, makes the problems facing our world accessible, and makes environmental responsibility fun. Not through lectures, but through a captivating story.”
The sense of purpose behind the book aligns with the Clean Planet Foundation’s mission. As part of the Clean Planet Group and based in the UK, the Foundation runs projects designed to engage children with environmental action and awareness. These projects include creating educational comics and classroom lesson plans, supporting biodiversity projects, and conducting microplastics research in polar regions. Last year, the Foundation’s documentary on its tree-planting project with Scottish charity Trees for Life was awarded at the Cannes World Film Festival.
This is only the beginning for “Ellie Ment and the Material Matter,” as it is the first in a planned series. The Clean Planet Foundation is developing further books to continue