Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown: A Mystery with Sun-Powered Gadgets You Can Build Yourself (Nick and Tesla #6)

Gr 3-6--Twin kid inventors Nick and Tesla are back in their sixth, and likely final, mystery, which sees them dodging spies while trying to locate their missing parents, who may be part of a top-secret, space-based solar-power project with the government. Spending the summer in Half Moon Bay with their eccentric and somewhat bumbling Uncle Newt, they have so far not been fruitful in finding their parents, but this time, all hands are on deck trying to unravel the clues and figure out who the traitors or double agents are and whom they can trust before it's too late. The authors once again intersperse kid-friendly instructions to build the solar-powered gadgets featured in the story including a hot dog cooker and a nighttime signal cannon that fires illuminated ping-pong balls. The twins' friends Silas and DeMarco are back, hoping to help in the quest. Science lovers, mystery hounds, and fans of the series will want to follow along to the satisfying conclusion. Humorous footnotes remind readers of what they have missed in the prior books, which aren't necessary to understand this tale but are certainly helpful. VERDICT Just the right amount of suspense, action, and science to entice a wide variety of readers.--Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"This series is perfect for summer reading and hands-on projects."—GeekDad

"This STEM-themed mystery bridges the gap between reading and science by combining fun, fast-paced mysteries with projects that kids can build themselves."—Pocono Record

"This story was a lot of fun! It was like reading a modern, sillier, geekier version of The Hardy Boys."—Lovely Bookshelf

"MacGyver has nothing on Nick and Tesla—the King and Queen of Inventions!... 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." —A Bookish Way of Life

"What a fun way to bring summer reading alive!"—A Rup Life

Praise for Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab

"Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab has the perfect formula: Mega-watts of funny writing plus giga-hertz of hands-on science equals fun to the billionth power!"—Chris Grabenstein, New York Times best selling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

"Real project blueprints are included along with this tale of 11-year-old siblings who create outrageous contraptions and top-secret gadgets."—Los Angeles Times

"...the combination of exciting elements and innovative DIY projects in action yields a guaranteed pager turner."—ScienceBuddies.org

"[Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab is] a great way to show kids that problems can often be solved by applying a bit of creative energy with some tech know-how. And Nick and Tesla (and Uncle Newt) are the perfect companions for your young reader looking for some (safe) adventures."—Geek Dad

"A mystery, adventure, and activity book all rolled into one entertaining story....Plenty of excitement, with science."—Common Sense Media

"Part mystery, part mad science...the story will leave readers wondering what mayhem will be forthcoming."—School Library Journal

"...a strong start..."—Publishers Weekly

"How do you connect students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) with fiction reading? Look for science adventures. Get started with the NICK AND TESLA series. Each book contains an engaging adventure revolving around a "build-it-yourself" science project."—Teacher Librarian

"Engaging characters and brisk plotting make this a fun and educational read."—Jennifer Ouellette, author of The Calculus Diaries and The Physics of the Buffyverse

"A promising first offer in a series that offers plenty of appeal for middle-grade and middle school readers.­"—Kirkus

"Suspenseful, funny, and loaded with do-it-yourself robots, rockets, and burglar alarms. Nick and Tesla are an unforgettable new detective team, sure to inspire an entirely new generation of scientists and readers. Can't wait for the next book!"—Amy Herrick, author of The Time Fetch

"A book with action, adventure, mystery, humor — and instructions on how to build rockets and robots. What more could young readers possibly want? 'Nick & Tesla' is a great book that will keep your kids enthralled with its intriguing story — and inspire them with its clever science experiments. I can't wait for the further adventures of these fascinating characters."—Stuart Gibbs, Edgar-nominated author of Spy School and Belly Up

"I love the book! It combines science, intrigue and great fiction together in a wild ride for the reader. Nothing tickles me more than seeing a story really charged up with science. And the projects are so much fun! More please!"—Lynn Brunelle, four-time Emmy Award-winning writer for "Bill Nye the Science Guy" and the author of Pop Bottle Science

"What kid wouldn't want to join Nick and Tesla and their wacky family? This is a great way for budding scientists to have fun while exploring the intricacies of physics, chemistry, and more—up close, personal, and hands-on!"—Jane Hammerslough, author of Owl Puke: The Book and Dino Poop: And Other Remarkable Remains of the Past

"Pflugfelder and Hockensmith debut a captivating series about crime-solving kid inventors in the spirit of Tom Swift and Alvin Fernald. But Nick and Tesla give us what their literary predecessors always omitted: blueprints for whiz-bang inventions that kids can actually build themselves (with some adult assistance). Electromagnets, tracking devices, rockets and the like. Hands-on science has never been so cool."—Joseph D'Agnese, author of Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci