Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith

(Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Nick and Tesla’s Solar-Powered Showdown: A Mystery with Sun-Powered Gadgets You Can Build Yourself (Quirk Books; May 10, 2016; Ages 8–12; $12.95) tackles the all-too-timely topic of clean energy, as the twin sleuths set out to rescue their scientist parents, who were kidnapped while working on a top-secret solar power research project.

To outwit the kidnapper who wants to turn solar power into a weapon, Nick and Tesla need more than just the help of their eccentric Uncle Newt. They have to create their own gadgets by harnessing the most potent power of all—brain power. Young makers can become part of the story by creating their very own versions of Nick and Tesla’s inventions. Full building instructions for these solar-powered projects are peppered between chapters:

·      Ping-Pong Ball Signal Cannon that Uncle Newt uses to signal to Nick and Tesla while sneaking around a suspicious office building

·      Solar Spy Birdhouse that Nick and Tesla build to gather intel on their parents from the government agents who claim to be protecting them

·      Solar-Powered Long-Range Rover, which Nick and Tesla send out with an SOS when the spies hold them hostage

·      Guaranteed-Not-to-Explode Frankfurter Heater-Upper because, in the words of Uncle Newt, “You can’t bust an international spy ring on an empty stomach!”

A spirited hands-on adventure, Nick and Tesla’s Solar-Powered Showdown will mesmerize readers by bridging science and literature.

my thoughts:

Talk about perfect timing.  Just as I was about to write this blog post, I found out that "Science Bob" was going to be on Live with Kelly - how cool is that?!  I grabbed a cuppa and sat down to watch what he had to share with the audience.  He talked about the Science Fairs that President Obama hosts at the White House.  Apparently, one hundred kids are invited to showcase their latest experiments and inventions.  Suffice it to say, these kids are SMART.  Think underwater moving rovers and keeping medicine chilled without electricity.  Pretty awesome, eh?  "Science Bob" performed experiments with Kelly and her co-host Daniel Dae Kim (Jin from Lost).  It was a pretty fun episode to watch.  And at the end, she reminded everyone to go out and pick up a copy of "Science Bob's" latest collaboration with Steve Hockensmith -  Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown.  As a huge fan of the series, I was excited when she mentioned the book.  Its the sixth in the series and my new favorite. Chock-full of danger, drama, intrigue, and inventions - how could it not be?

In Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown, Nick and Tesla have decided that its FINALLY time to find their parents. They've been kept in the dark long enough and now they want answers. Plus, they know that their parents are in danger, so time is of the essence. Their only resource happens to be the two agents sent to keep an eye on them.  Except, these two agents are dead set against telling Nick and Tesla anything.  Hmmm...what to do?  How about invent an eavesdropping machine in the form of a birdhouse? Pretty nifty, eh?  With the help of their Uncle Newt, Silas, and DeMarco the dynamic duo set out with their plan.  The only problem being that they severely underestimated just how DANGEROUS the people involved with their parents' disappearance really are. YIKES!  They all wind up kidnapped and taken to a deserted building out in the middle of nowhere.  The kids get locked in a room and have no way to communicate for help.  Ack!  Of course, this being Nick and Tesla, you just know that a plan is a brewing. Think Solar-Powered Long Range Rover - how awesome is that?! I swear, MacGyver has nothing on Nick and Tesla - the King and Queen of Inventions! And that is all I will say about the actual plot of the story.  Its just too good to give away all the details.

I will tell you that this book kept me on the edge of my seat! I couldn't stop reading Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown until I turned the very last page. I just had to know if these kids would escape from these crazy villains and whether or not they would finally be reunited with their mom and dad.  Let me just say, I was not disappointed.  This book was action-packed and I loved it!  The story was fantastic - it was exciting, thrilling, and unputdownable. This book was truly a perfect addition to the series. In fact, this whole series is great for kids (middle school-aged) who love science, mystery, and intrigue - they will love these books!  I can't wait to tell my friends to pick up a copy for their kids.

Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular by"Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith

(Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Bright siblings—and amateur inventors—Nick and Tesla Holt are back for another thrill-a-minute adventure. This time a Hollywood movie is being filmed in town, but the real drama happens when the cameras are turned off.  

Mystery awaits behind the scenes, and the whole production may shut down unless the DIY detectives can crack the case, with the help of their friends Silas and DeMarco and a fresh assortment of homemade gadgets. Featuring instructions for all-new movie magic projects that kids can build themselves, this whiz-bang adventure is sure to delight fans of the series. Science and electronics have never been so much fun!

my thoughts:

What an absolute treat! I loved the fifth book in the Nick and Tesla series - it was such a fun and enjoyable read. This time round, the dynamic duo are helping their friends, Silas and DeMarco, make a movie about their favorite superhero.  Its their way of distracting themselves from the horrible truth that their parents are involved with something DANGEROUS.  So, they invent movie-type gadgets to help with filming - think robo-arm and Steadicam rig.  Of course, the fun really starts when DeMarco's Aunt Zoe comes to pick them all up and take them to a real movie set that she's a producer on.  They are going to be watching a superhero movie being filmed - how fun is that?  The gang gets a behind-the-scenes tour of the film set and are really enjoying themselves when all of a sudden...they find themselves caught up in solving a new mystery.  Apparently, there's been quite a bit of drama on set lately - scenes are getting ruined, footage is being leaked online, and pranks are being pulled left and right.  And now it looks like Aunt Zoe may lose her job. Ack!  Luckily for her, DeMarco and his gang are ready to sleuth it up and find out who's responsible for sabotaging the film.  With help from Nick and Tesla's creative inventions, this smart and determined foursome are ready to save the day - or at least, Aunt Zoe's job. 

Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular is a terrific addition to this awesome series.  The story is terrific and I loved catching up with Nick and Tesla. I thought the mystery was fun to solve, especially as it was on a film set. And the cool inventions the kids made were just perfect for their latest adventure.  I swear this series just keeps getting better and better with each new book. I can't wait for the next one!

Nick and Tesla's Super Cyborg Gadget Glove by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith

(Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Bright siblings—and amateur inventors—Nick and Tesla Holt are back in this fourth installment of their whiz-bang middle-grade series. This time, the twins are out to save science itself, as they race against the clock to figure out why a robotic assortment of history’s greatest scientists and inventors keeps going haywire. Is this sabotage, robo-geddon…or something more sinister? To unravel the mystery, they’ll have to keep adding all-new gadgets to their cyborg glove as they stay one step ahead of a hidden adversary.

Together with zany scientist Uncle Newt and their friends Silas and DeMarco, Nick and Tesla won’t give up until an answer is found…but can they do it before time runs out? In this book, readers will learn how to construct a super-cyborg gadget glove that has four incredible functions: LED signal light, ultra-loud emergency alarm, handy sound recorder, and UV secret message revealer. Science and electronics have never been so much fun!

my thoughts:

Color me happy.  I've just finished reading another installment in the fantastic Nick and Tesla series by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith.  This time round, the brother/sister duo have to battle an unknown saboteur at the local science museum, where their Uncle Newt is currently working a gig.  He's helping fix an exhibit of robots - the only problem is that they keep going haywire on him.  And the museum is having a HUGE gala in mere hours, so time is of the essence.  Of course, its not going to be easy for Nick and Tesla to figure out this mystery, what with security and the museum director keeping an eye on them.  Then again, these two like a good challenge and they are up for the task with the help of their friends.

Except, Nick isn't really into solving another mystery.  He's more concerned with the whereabouts of their parents who seem to be MIA.  Plus, all the crazy things that have happened since their folks left them in their uncle's care have made him feel a bit anxious.  And, then there's the fact that his sister always seems determined to meet danger head on.  So, Nick is rather annoyed when Tesla pushes him to work on this new mystery alongside her and their two friends, Silas and DeMarco.  Of course, once the adventure begins, he's right there by her side.  And what an adventure it is - men dressed as dancing owls, gadget gloves, possible kidnapping, and so much more!

Nick and Tesla's Super Cyborg Gadget Glove is a fantastic read!  Its chock full of science, fun, mystery, and a bit of danger.  I swear these books get better and better with each new addition to the series.  I'm eager to find out where the next book will take Nick and Tesla, and whether or not we will ever find out what his parents are hiding.  And, I'm excited to find out what new gadgets there are to build alongside the book. 

If you are looking for a fun book that will keep your kid entertained and teach them a bit about science, then check out Nick and Tesla's Super Cyborg Gadget Glove.


Thanks to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith

(Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

After foiling a gang of kidnappers and fending off an army of robots, 11-year-old siblings Nick and Tesla Holt could use a little rest! But as their third mystery opens, they discover there’s a spy in their midst, searching for secrets in the home of their beloved (and slightly crazy) Uncle Newt.

Is it the new laboratory assistant? The exterminator? The housekeepers? Or someone completely unexpected? To expose the mystery agent, Nick and Tesla must engineer all kinds of outrageous contraptions, from code wheels and fingerprint powder to spy cameras and burglar detectors. Best of all, instructions are included throughout the story, so you can build the projects, too!

my thoughts:

Danger, Will Robinson!  In the latest installment of the Nick and Tesla series, the brother-sister duo are in DANGER!!  They have been mulling over a message they received from their mother - sounding a bit harried, she tells them that they were sent to their Uncle's for safety, but it didn't work and now they have to be on the lookout and they can't trust...that's where the message ends. Ack!  What are they going to do?  Who is after them and why?  And so begins the mystery of Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle.  

With the help of their friends, Silas and DeMarco, the foursome finds themselves keeping watch over the new, uninvited guests at their Uncle Newt's home.  Well, uninvited in the sense that they all somehow managed to appear (via unannounced drop-in, suspicious new adverts, etc.) on their doorstep on the same day - right after Tesla and Nick's mother's message!  There is the M.A.D. Scientist intern, Oli, who claims to be from Australia, but clearly isn't - although he throws in "G'day" for good measure.  Skip the Verminator who is investigating every nook and cranny in the house for bugs - Uncle Newt found a brown recluse spider, nope a black widow spider the other day, so looks like the house needs to be sprayed for insects ASAP!  And, then there are the women from Maids-to-Order, Gladys and Ethel, who are having trouble cleaning the hoarder house filled with dust bunnies the size of rabbits.  Looks like Nick and Tesla have some sleuthing to do!

An irate neighbor, mud-splattered bike, broken gnome, and missing pendants make for quite an interesting story.  Plus, it doesn't hurt to have the instructions for so many cool gadgets this time round - codex wheels and booby-trap balloons!  In Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle we get mystery, danger, and so much more!  I absolutely loved reading all about the plans, fake-outs, and spy methods employed by this smarty-pants duo - it was fun and exciting.  Of course now I can't wait for the next installment.  I just have to find out what misadventures Nick and Tesla will get involved in - and, what exactly are their parents up to?

I would most definitely recommend this book to fans of the series and anyone looking for a new children's book series to get lost in - you will absolutely enjoy reading all about Nick and Tesla Holt.

Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith

(Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

When a rash of robberies hits the town of Half Moon Bay, 11-year-old sleuths Nick and Tesla are determined to catch the criminals - but to do so, they'll have to build a host of new gadgets and gizmos!  In this robot-themed follow-up to Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab, the brother-and-sister duo build four different droids out of ordinary household objects - and illustrated instructions are included throughout the story, so you can build them, too!  Can Nick and Tesla catch the criminal mastermind - and foil his army of rampaging robots - before it's too late?

my thoughts:

Fun. Fun. Fun.  Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage was an absolute treat to read.  In this new adventure, we find Nick and Tesla settled in at their Uncle Newt's home.  They've started a routine of eating spaghettios, tinkering around in the basement lab, and checking the answering machine for messages from their parents (its mainly Nick that does this bit, as he can't understand why his mom and dad haven't called them yet).  Life isn't bad, but its nothing to get excited about...until the local comic book store gets robbed!  Looks like Nick and Tesla's super sleuthing skills are needed once again in the town of Half Moon Bay.  Except this time round, they may be biting off more than they can chew - DANGER in the form of robots!!!  Seems that this case may be a bit more complicated than they had originally thought.  Plus, their Uncle Newt has fallen in love and the woman may or may not be Nick and Tesla's prime suspect.  What are Nick and Tesla to do?  Sounds pretty exciting, eh? Well it is!  The latest book in the series not only brings back familiar characters, but it steps up the game with more mysteries, more intrigue, and more gadgetry.   Plus, who doesn't love a book that includes an army of rampaging robots? 

I would definitely recommend Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage to fans of the first book, Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab and fans of children's fiction.  This is a terrific book to read with your kids, as it also includes the instructions on how to make the fantastic gadgets that Nick and Tesla created in the story.  Pick up a copy and enjoy!

Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of the book!

Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith

(Thank you to the Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

WARNING: CONTAINS MYSTERY, ADVENTURE, AND EXPLOSIVE PROJECTS YOU CAN BUILD YOURSELF!

An abandoned house at the end of the block.  A mysterious girl in an upstairs window.  A strange
black SUV lurking around every corner.  When Nick and Tesla Holt are sent to live with their eccentric Uncle Newt, they find their new neighborhood is full of secrets.  What the heck is going on?

To unravel the mysteries (and save their skins), Nick and Tesla must use everyday household objects to build electromagnets, rocket launchers, and other crazy contraptions - and instructions are included throughout the story so you can build them, too!

my thoughts:

Fun. Fun. Fun. That is how I would describe, Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab.   Filled with incredibly smart characters, an intriguing mystery, a girl (or ghost) in a window, and loads of awesome creations, this book makes for quite the afternoon read.  I absolutely loved getting to know Nick, Tesla, and their kooky Uncle Newt.  Sent to stay with their Uncle at his hoarder-like house stuffed with dangerous experiments and rotting food, Nick and Tesla try to make do.  They don't understand why their parents had to suddenly rush off and leave them for the summer, but what can they do - its already been done.  Anyhow, as they settle into their new digs and surroundings, they somehow find themselves involved in a rescue mission that is dangerous, adventurous, and scary.  And that is all I will say about this fantastic book, with the exception of these words:  Read It!!  Did I mention that the book includes the instructions on how to make the rocket launcher (and the other inventions) that Nick and Tesla create?  Well, it does and I just know that you will have fun building them all - I know that my little cousins will get a kick out of building some of these contraptions and I can't wait to help them.  So, grab a copy and enjoy reading all about Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab.

Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!