Jack knows a lot about science. His parents are scientists, and they have involved him in their research. It happens that their research involved collecting roadkill and noting the stages of decomposition in their backyard. But since his dad moved out. he’s having to pick up some of the slack on the data collection. When he is out with his mother and they come across an animal in the road, his mother stops, and Jack has the choice of diverting the traffic or scooping their latest treasure.

He loves his mother, and he wants to help her since his dad left so suddenly, and they used to work together on the research. But he also has to do his schoolwork, and his best friend Andre wants his opinions on the zombie comics he draws. He has a crush on Zoe in his Algebra and Earth Science classes. And he thinks he saw a cougar out back.

Cougars used to live in Tennessee, but they’re been labeled extinct in the state. So Jack isn’t sure at first. But he chooses to do his Earth Science project on cougars, so he does some more research. It turns out that he is not the only one to claim to see a cougar in Tennessee, so he keeps his eyes open and his phone ready.

In the meantime, he deals with the pressure of school, where some of his classmates call him names like The Roadkill Kid or Jack the Ripper. He struggling in Earth Science, which he feels really bad about, since both of his parents are scientists. But they haven’t been paying that much attention to him lately. He hardly talks to his dad anymore, just gets a random text at unfortunate times (like, the middle of science class). And his mother is caught up in her research, knowing that the grant that she depends on is based on this research.

But as the pressure on Jack intensifies, and his parents don’t seem to be paying attention, Jack is getting angry. He doesn’t want to listen to the adults anymore. He doesn’t want to have to act like an adult anymore. He wants to be a kid. Instead, he feels like he’s decomposing. It will take all his courage to tell his parents how he’s feeling and to stand up for the cougar he knows is out there, but if can do that, maybe he can even find a way to pass his science class and get the girl.

The Decomposition of Jack is the latest middle grade fiction book from award-winning author Kristin O’Donnell Tubb. It’s the perfect book for kids interested in science, particularly biology and chemistry. There is a lot of talk of the science of decomposition, with Jack making it really clear what happens to the animals as they break down. It’s a good lesson for science kids, but it can be a little difficult to hear about, so sensitive readers may want to be careful. There is some extra information at the end of the story about those who collect roadkill and use it for research, for art, for composting, and for food, as well as ways to find out more about the cougars living in Tennessee.

I am not a biology lover, so some of the descriptions were a just a little over the top for me. I chose this book to see how Jack dealt with the way his parents were acting. And I really did enjoy that part of the book. Jack is a good character, smart and funny and self-aware. This is a good story, with a good heart, and I think kids will really enjoy it, even with all the grossness (or maybe, for some, because of it). Get this one for your science-loving kids, and they will thank you for it.

Voice Galleys for The Decomposition of Jack were provided by Harper Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.