Book Description
Nick and Tesla are bright 11-year-old siblings with a knack for science, electronics, and getting into trouble. When their parents mysteriously vanish, they’re sent to live with their Uncle Newt, a brilliant inventor who engineers top-secret gadgets for a classified government agency. It’s not long before Nick and Tesla are embarking on adventures of their own—engineering all kinds of outrageous MacGyverish contraptions to save their skin: 9-volt burglar alarms, electromagnets, mobile tracking devices, and more. Readers are invited to join in the fun as each story contains instructions and blueprints for five different projects.In Nick and Tesla’s High-Voltage Danger Lab, we meet the characters and learn how to make everything from rocket launchers to soda-powered vehicles. Learning about science has never been so dangerous—or so much fun!
About the Authors
"Science Bob" Pflugfelder is an elementary school teacher based in Newton, Massachussetts. He has made many television appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Live with Kelly and Michael, The Dr. Oz Show, and other media outlets. These are his first books.
Steve Hockensmith is the author of a New York Times best seller (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls) and an Edgar Award nominee (Holmes on the Range). He lives in Alameda, California.
SOURCE: PUBLISHER
MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Nick and Tesla have been sent to stay with their reclusive uncle in California while their parents spend the summer watching soybeans grow someplace unpronounceable. Uncle Newt is know for being an eccentric so when he doesn't show up at the airport to pick them up, these resourceful twins take a taxi and are met at the door by, well, by no one. They also notice a black SUV tailing them that is now parked down the street. When they do find Newt stuck in the basement and they must help him escape from one of his inventions and thus begins an exciting summer adventure.
The pair are joined by two neighbor kids, DeMarco and Silas, to solve a mystery that involves the spooky house next door and why they can't seem to shake that black SUV. Each small adventure related to a usable experiment and explained readily by their uncle. The relationship between the twins and their uncle is heartwarming and full of humor. It also covers the issue of sibling rivalry noted by Tesla proclaiming that she is older and knows more. The gadgets and little experiments are something that boys and girls will enjoy and the story telling makes a point that these things have consequences if not done properly.
Warnings and notices abound through out the book which should peak the interest of most boys and girls. My son commented that he couldn't believe this book wasn't banned and later admitted that he had already done several of the experiments in the book. Oh, he is still alive and well into adulthood. I am so excited that the book also shows girls participating in science experiments and highlights that girls are sometime smarter than boys when it comes to math. I really thought the authors did a wonderful job sneaking in a learning experience and getting parents involved with these activities.
Disclosure
I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced
my review. If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else
from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of
the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways!
This looks so fun! I'll have to check this out for my nephews!
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