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geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage: A Mystery with Hoverbots, Bristle Bots, and Other Robots You Can Build Yourself' by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith is both a mystery and a series of home science projects that the reader can make at home.
Nick and Tesla's parents are away on a mysterious trip, so the kids are left in the care of their eccentric uncle Newt who lives in Half Moon Bay. When a series of strange robots show up right before a series of crimes starts happening in town, the kids go looking for who could be behind it all. Armed with their brains and some robots that they build, they set out to stop the thief.
I liked this book for young readers. The science seems solid and easy enough to do. There are illustrations in the book that are pretty good. The mystery has a few red herrings along the way, but isn't too hard to figure out.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quirk Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Nick and Tesla's parents are away on a mysterious trip, so the kids are left in the care of their eccentric uncle Newt who lives in Half Moon Bay. When a series of strange robots show up right before a series of crimes starts happening in town, the kids go looking for who could be behind it all. Armed with their brains and some robots that they build, they set out to stop the thief.
I liked this book for young readers. The science seems solid and easy enough to do. There are illustrations in the book that are pretty good. The mystery has a few red herrings along the way, but isn't too hard to figure out.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quirk Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
Anther fun read. I have enjoyed reading these books and seeing the trouble that Nick, Tesla and their friends get into. However the best part is how they get out of the trouble they found themselves in. It keeps things entertaining. Also, the gadgets that they build are cool. I like that they do not seem over complicated. So my nephews can build the same gadgets that Nick and Tesla build in the book. Nick and Tesla and their friends are like the newer version of the Hardy Boys and friends. I can't wait to read the next book and see what new adventure that Nick and Tesla find themselves in.
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Nick and Tesla are twins staying with their scientist uncle for the summer. Their parents are supposedly traveling in a remote area of the Middle East to experiment with crop irrigation, but Nick and Tesla begin to suspect that something else is going on. A black SUV has been following them around.
In this second book of the series, the children notice a string of robberies in the area, and they begin to investigate. Thankfully Nick and Tesla enjoy inventing and experimenting with gadgets, so they use their creativity to find a solution to almost any problem.
I loved this fun book! The plot is mysterious. The characters are interesting. The writing is excellent. The setting is full of science and adventure! I really enjoyed the story and all the crazy experiments.
The characters of Nick and Tesla are really well-written. I love stories about siblings, and in this book you get to see this close sibling dynamic between them. They disagree and argue sometimes, but most of the time they work together and support each other.
Their mad-scientist uncle is so funny too! I loved his wild antics.
The coolest thing about this book is that you can recreate the experiments that Nick and Tesla do in the book. There are clear instructions for making different types of simple robots that will move around. You might need to buy a few small motor parts, but the robots are easy to build (with an adults help when needed.)
There are a few illustrations that bring the story to life, and I liked the cartoony art style.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
4.0
Another great adventure for Nick and Tesla's - this time involving more of what every kid loves - Robots! Even I loved the ideas and designed they talked about in the book. They sounded like so much fun. While the projects in this book are more complicated than the ones in book one, the instructions are much more detailed as well. They set off to find out who is responsible for a string of thefts in their little town, starting with a rare comic book from their friend's parents.
They make a few mistakes along the way, but in the end they have a lot of fun, learn a lot about robots, and of course catch the bad guy and save the day. This is another great book for kids that teaches them a bit about science and building while having fun.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/02/review-nick-and-teslas-robot-army.html#sthash.9xYbrtFO.dpuf
They make a few mistakes along the way, but in the end they have a lot of fun, learn a lot about robots, and of course catch the bad guy and save the day. This is another great book for kids that teaches them a bit about science and building while having fun.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/02/review-nick-and-teslas-robot-army.html#sthash.9xYbrtFO.dpuf
leesuh's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to the publisher for giving me this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
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Guys! I hope you like science experiments and kids with perseverance and lots of wits, because that’s exactly what you get in Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage.
I just can’t start off this review any other way than saying how enjoyable Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage was to read. I really enjoyed Nick and Tesla’s High Voltage Danger Lab when I was reading it and was super stoked to read this next installment.
Right from the very beginning the reader is thrown into the sort of hectic lives of Nick and Tesla who are, as ever, very persistent and witty. Super smart, throughout the book they build robots (cool!) not only for fun, but also to help them in trying to catch a thief. As if that alone isn’t cool enough, there are instructions included so that the reader can build some awesome robots as well.
Cool science and robotics aside, the story itself is engaging and fun to read. Following Nick and Tesla as they try to catch a mysterious robber is equal parts exciting and distressing. Are they going to get themselves in over their heads or is everything going to pan out fine? And will they solve the mystery? I can tell you right now that I NEVER guessed who was behind the robberies in Half Moon Bay. It came as a total shock to me.
I don’t know, you guys. An enthralling mystery, cool projects you can do yourself, and some amazing (and rather perceptive) kids equals up to be a whole lot of awesome contained in one book. Add in the great illustrations scattered throughout and I couldn’t recommend this book any more. Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage was so much fun to read, and with an ending like that I’m making grabby hands at the next installment in the series.
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Guys! I hope you like science experiments and kids with perseverance and lots of wits, because that’s exactly what you get in Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage.
I just can’t start off this review any other way than saying how enjoyable Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage was to read. I really enjoyed Nick and Tesla’s High Voltage Danger Lab when I was reading it and was super stoked to read this next installment.
Right from the very beginning the reader is thrown into the sort of hectic lives of Nick and Tesla who are, as ever, very persistent and witty. Super smart, throughout the book they build robots (cool!) not only for fun, but also to help them in trying to catch a thief. As if that alone isn’t cool enough, there are instructions included so that the reader can build some awesome robots as well.
Cool science and robotics aside, the story itself is engaging and fun to read. Following Nick and Tesla as they try to catch a mysterious robber is equal parts exciting and distressing. Are they going to get themselves in over their heads or is everything going to pan out fine? And will they solve the mystery? I can tell you right now that I NEVER guessed who was behind the robberies in Half Moon Bay. It came as a total shock to me.
I don’t know, you guys. An enthralling mystery, cool projects you can do yourself, and some amazing (and rather perceptive) kids equals up to be a whole lot of awesome contained in one book. Add in the great illustrations scattered throughout and I couldn’t recommend this book any more. Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage was so much fun to read, and with an ending like that I’m making grabby hands at the next installment in the series.
gabs_myfullbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book! It was so funny and quirky, but not so quirky that it was dumb. The mystery aspect will definitely appeal to younger children,and the robot experiments make this book unique. It's also quite a quick book to finish. i will review this a bit more in depth later.
I received this book via Goodreads First Reads. it in no way affects my opinion.
I received this book via Goodreads First Reads. it in no way affects my opinion.
mheinlein's review against another edition
4.0
Nick and Tesla are spending some time with their eccentric Uncle Newt while their parents are away. The siblings soon find themselves in the middle of a mystery, and they plan to solve it. Using their creativity and powers of observation the children believe they found out who done it, but they may not have a chance to tell anyone else. [return][return]The typical aspect of this story is the children s independence. They are pretty much on their own, as their well meaning uncle is busy with his own projects and their parents are away. This story does have some unique features that would augment the already pleasing tale. In addition to the entertaining story, the authors have provided instructions on how to create real life gadgets. These projects may need some adult supervision, but they tie in perfectly with the story.[return][return]The book ends in a cliff-hanger, and should leave a young reader anxiously awaiting the next installment. It is a good thing they will have some projects to work on while they are waiting for the next book. I recommend this story for children in the 9-12 age range.
aziz_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This second book I read of the series was just as good as the last. Growing up, my sisters and I were fortunate enough to each have our own bookshelf. Mine had many series of books, each taking up maybe half a shelf. I would love to see this series take up space on my daughter's shelf.
Before finding this series, I had begun to worry that educational mysteries for middle grade readers had gone extinct. This series has revived old feelings of learning from books like the time warp trio and the magic tree house, with the added elation that a girl is one of the main characters.
I have to admit, robotics go a little over my head. But that only added to the book as I was able to learn something new, too.
Before finding this series, I had begun to worry that educational mysteries for middle grade readers had gone extinct. This series has revived old feelings of learning from books like the time warp trio and the magic tree house, with the added elation that a girl is one of the main characters.
I have to admit, robotics go a little over my head. But that only added to the book as I was able to learn something new, too.
bookhero6's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads program, for free.
I am definitely holding onto these books for my hypothetical future children. Cute story, likable characters, who are inquisitive and inventive. The inclusion of do it yourself gadgets and science experiments is pretty awesome. Pretty sure I never would have been allowed to try them out as a kid, but my hypothetical future ones will. Under supervision. Away from breakable objects.
A great read for middle grade readers who like a little Nancy Drew meets Bill Nye the Science Guy.
I am definitely holding onto these books for my hypothetical future children. Cute story, likable characters, who are inquisitive and inventive. The inclusion of do it yourself gadgets and science experiments is pretty awesome. Pretty sure I never would have been allowed to try them out as a kid, but my hypothetical future ones will. Under supervision. Away from breakable objects.
A great read for middle grade readers who like a little Nancy Drew meets Bill Nye the Science Guy.
biblioholicbeth's review against another edition
2.0
My 12-year-old son is very into science (probably helped by the fact that he attends an environmental science charter school), so I got this book hoping that he would like it (especially the robots, as he's currently doing LEGO robotics). Unfortunately, that was not the case. He said the book was "OK" but it didn't really seem to hold his attention very well. When he was finished, I took my turn, and it was...OK. I liked the blueprints and instructions for kids to build their own robots out of mostly common materials, the story was decent...but I found myself not really getting into it. I think this would be a book for younger age range, say around 4th or 5th grade. They would probably find themselves more interested in the robotics storyline and in the instructions to build their own.