Jennifer M. (Kaydence) reviewed Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage (Nick and Tesla, Bk 2) on + 380 more book reviews
I'm obviously not the targeted audience, but this is now my favorite new series. I have also passed it on to three other adult friends who are just as enamored as I am. So, if you like a little mystery and a great deal of fun science projects, then this book is a must have.
Summary:
In the second installment of Nick and Tesla's mysteries, the two young detectives are determined to help their new found friends catch a thief. It seems that a comic book worth quite a lot of money has been stolen without any sign of a break-in to the comic store. Then other things from the town begin to go missing and the case is on. While this is happening, a new comer has purchased the hobby shop. She is famous for making robots and Uncle Nick is fascinated by her. To promote her new ownership, she gives out little robots to all of the local businesses. Could the robots be responsible for these new robberies? Is Uncle Nick dating a evil mastermind? Read and find out while also building robots of your very own.
My thoughts:
While the story itself is a lot of fun, the little science experiments really make these books fun. I have built each of the robots within this book for a little less than $30. If you have a child at home, then you probably have some of the material, but most of us don't have spare motors or computer parts laying around. My favorite little robot is the bug that is used to scare a local shop owner. It was fun to build and fun to play with. It also lasted longer than any of the other robots that I made. For a parent, if you have a 3rd grader then you will probably need to help build everything, but for older students they could probably do most of the building themselves with an adult peeking over their shoulders.
I don't believe that this story is as well done as the first one, but overall I enjoyed it. I did figure out the mystery much faster within this installment than in the first book. For a younger child, the end may be a bit of a surprise, but an advanced reader with have no trouble finding the culprit. The end is a little tense and very movie-like. If your child is a little skittish in action movies, then they may not like the tension in the end. If they like action (think Spy Kids) then the end speeds up enough to want you to read the next in the series to figure out what our new detective, along with Uncle Nick will figure out in the next book.
Summary:
In the second installment of Nick and Tesla's mysteries, the two young detectives are determined to help their new found friends catch a thief. It seems that a comic book worth quite a lot of money has been stolen without any sign of a break-in to the comic store. Then other things from the town begin to go missing and the case is on. While this is happening, a new comer has purchased the hobby shop. She is famous for making robots and Uncle Nick is fascinated by her. To promote her new ownership, she gives out little robots to all of the local businesses. Could the robots be responsible for these new robberies? Is Uncle Nick dating a evil mastermind? Read and find out while also building robots of your very own.
My thoughts:
While the story itself is a lot of fun, the little science experiments really make these books fun. I have built each of the robots within this book for a little less than $30. If you have a child at home, then you probably have some of the material, but most of us don't have spare motors or computer parts laying around. My favorite little robot is the bug that is used to scare a local shop owner. It was fun to build and fun to play with. It also lasted longer than any of the other robots that I made. For a parent, if you have a 3rd grader then you will probably need to help build everything, but for older students they could probably do most of the building themselves with an adult peeking over their shoulders.
I don't believe that this story is as well done as the first one, but overall I enjoyed it. I did figure out the mystery much faster within this installment than in the first book. For a younger child, the end may be a bit of a surprise, but an advanced reader with have no trouble finding the culprit. The end is a little tense and very movie-like. If your child is a little skittish in action movies, then they may not like the tension in the end. If they like action (think Spy Kids) then the end speeds up enough to want you to read the next in the series to figure out what our new detective, along with Uncle Nick will figure out in the next book.
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage (Nick and Tesla, Bk 2) on + 2527 more book reviews
I got a copy of this book to review from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the first Nick and Tesla book and was excited to read this one. I liked this book even better than the first one, it was a fun and quick read with some neat gadgets to build throughout.
When Nick and Teslas friend has a valuable comic book stolen from their parents comic book shop he is desperate to get it back. Nick and Tesla promise to look into the mystery. When they do they find out that a rash of other thefts have occurred throughout the neighborhood. Not only that but mysterious robots are showing up around town as well.
This was a fun read. Nick and Tesla constantly get themselves in over their head trying to help out their friends. Then they have to make nifty gadgets to help them out. There is a lot of sleuthing and sneaking in this book that was fun to read about.
As with the previous book, whenever Nick and Tesla build something it is following by detailed instructions on how to build that object. Most of the things built in this book were simple robots. This is awesome because my son has recently been asking about ideas for building a simple robot.
The projects arent difficult but they unfortunately require a number of things we dont have laying around the house. Most likely you will have to make a trip to Radio Shack to buy some simple motors and battery connectors. Additionally many of the projects use a hot glue gun, so younger kids will definitely need parental help and supervision. I think these projects are great if kids are in families that are willing to work on something like this. Unfortunately if kids dont have a parent willing to run to Radio Shack and help them with these projects, I am afraid many kids wont have the stuff needed to get them done. I had the same complaint with the last book.
I do plan on trying to build some of these robot models once we have a chance to get some parts. I will try to update on how easy they were to build and on how well they worked.
The illustrations throughout are really well done and fun. I enjoyed the quirky characters and the fast-paced plot. The mystery is set up nicely and wrapped up well. Nick and Teslas Uncle Newt is a blast to read about, he is just sooo funny. There was an addition of a love interest for Newt in this book, she was awesome and I hope we see her in future books.
Overall a fun read. I think middle grade readers (and even adults) will enjoy the quirky characters, the entertaining mystery, and the crazy gadgets throughout. I love that there are some simple robot ideas in here. I am a bit concerned that the inventions and robots will never get built by kids though, they do need some special supplies and in many cases will need a parents help to make them. This whole series is recommended to middle grade and older readers, its a fun one.
When Nick and Teslas friend has a valuable comic book stolen from their parents comic book shop he is desperate to get it back. Nick and Tesla promise to look into the mystery. When they do they find out that a rash of other thefts have occurred throughout the neighborhood. Not only that but mysterious robots are showing up around town as well.
This was a fun read. Nick and Tesla constantly get themselves in over their head trying to help out their friends. Then they have to make nifty gadgets to help them out. There is a lot of sleuthing and sneaking in this book that was fun to read about.
As with the previous book, whenever Nick and Tesla build something it is following by detailed instructions on how to build that object. Most of the things built in this book were simple robots. This is awesome because my son has recently been asking about ideas for building a simple robot.
The projects arent difficult but they unfortunately require a number of things we dont have laying around the house. Most likely you will have to make a trip to Radio Shack to buy some simple motors and battery connectors. Additionally many of the projects use a hot glue gun, so younger kids will definitely need parental help and supervision. I think these projects are great if kids are in families that are willing to work on something like this. Unfortunately if kids dont have a parent willing to run to Radio Shack and help them with these projects, I am afraid many kids wont have the stuff needed to get them done. I had the same complaint with the last book.
I do plan on trying to build some of these robot models once we have a chance to get some parts. I will try to update on how easy they were to build and on how well they worked.
The illustrations throughout are really well done and fun. I enjoyed the quirky characters and the fast-paced plot. The mystery is set up nicely and wrapped up well. Nick and Teslas Uncle Newt is a blast to read about, he is just sooo funny. There was an addition of a love interest for Newt in this book, she was awesome and I hope we see her in future books.
Overall a fun read. I think middle grade readers (and even adults) will enjoy the quirky characters, the entertaining mystery, and the crazy gadgets throughout. I love that there are some simple robot ideas in here. I am a bit concerned that the inventions and robots will never get built by kids though, they do need some special supplies and in many cases will need a parents help to make them. This whole series is recommended to middle grade and older readers, its a fun one.
