Allison: Nick and Tesla’s High Voltage Danger Lab | “Science Bob” Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith | Book Review

Nick and Tesla’s High Voltage Danger Lab is the first book in a new middle grade series written by “Science Bob” Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith. It follows twelve year old twins Nick and Tesla as they are sent to live with their uncle after their parents mysteriously vanish. The twins are bright and have a great interest in science and electronics just like their Uncle Newt. Of course, the twins also have a knack for getting into trouble, and it isn’t very long before they are embarking on adventures of their own in their new neighborhood. Luckily, they also have a knack for engineering all kinds of contraptions to save their skin and get them out of danger.

Nick and Tesla Cover

I found Nick and Telsa’s High Voltage Danger Lab to be a really cute middle grade book. Both of the main characters are very easy to like as they are both clever and quirky and have a pretty positive sibling relationship. There is a bit of bickering involved but it’s obvious that they do care about each other. Nick and Tesla are staying with their Uncle Newt who honestly has no business being responsible for them but who still in his own way does show that he cares about them. He is just a bit eccentric to say the least, and his house is filled with countless on-going inventions and contraptions.

Speaking of contraptions, readers are invited to join in on the fun of this book and create the different contraptions along with Nick and Tesla. There are step by step instructions and blue prints inside for each of the different projects which are completed during Nick and Tesla’s adventures. All of the items which are needed for the projects are reasonably accessible and can be found within a home or hardware store. Admittedly, I had heard of most of the projects (most specifically the mentos and Diet Coke propelled bottle) but I think they are great for young readers to try.

There is a disclaimer at the beginning of the book that all of the experiments should be done with an adult present but it is notable to mention that Nick and Tesla are never actually supervised by an adult when they are creating their projects. This fact does not go unnoticed either as they comment on it quite often which  I think may have been a  method of reassuring the audience that an adult should be present at all times. Also, of course it makes the story a bit more interesting to have an eccentric absentminded character thrown into the mix especially for younger readers.

All in all, I think this was a good beginning to a new series for middle grade readers. It allows readers a strong introduction to the character and lets them dive right in to their first adventure. I also liked how it promotes adult and child interaction with the safety disclaimer. Positive interaction is one thing that a child can always benefit from so kudos to the authors for promoting it. Also, this makes learning fun which is always a good thing. Nick and Tesla’s High Voltage Danger Lab is a delightful little read and would make the perfect gift during the upcoming holiday season.

Disclosure: Received for review from Quirk Books

Other reviews of Nick and Tesla’s High Voltage Danger Lab by “Science Bob” Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith:

Bibliophilia, Please: “Nick and Tesla’s High-Voltage Danger Lab was a fun lower-middle grade read for me.

Elizziebooks: “I really liked this novel because it reminded me of watching Bill Nye the Science Guy and Magic School Bus.

Reading For Sanity: “Well-written, just enough mystery to keep a child engrossed without being too intense, but funny at the same time.

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Allison is 27 years old. She is always looking for new books, good music, quality/epic adventures, and a normal sleep schedule. She currently works with the elderly.

Comments

  1. Sarah @ Sarah Says Read says

    I so want to read this! And possibly share it with my nephew 🙂

  2. I was (and still am, actually) a little nerd, so reading a book like this as a child would have been HEAVEN for me. I’m glad you ended up liking it!