A Mystery with Gadgets You Can Build Yourself
September 1, 2014
Gr 3-6-Science-loving and mystery-solving twins, Tesla and Nick Holt, are back for their fourth adventure and getting closer to uncovering the truth behind their parents' secret project. In previous adventures, the twins have thwarted kidnappers, thieves, and spies, all while realizing that their parents are not working on soybean irrigation in Uzbekistan. In this installment, their Uncle Newt and his "kinda-sorta girlfriend" and robotics expert, Hiroko Sakuri, have been asked to help rebuild an animatronic exhibit for the refurbishing of a science museum in Northern California. But, as Tesla soon posits, someone is trying to sabotage the grand reopening. The hallmarks of the series-instructions for gadgets kids can build, an eccentric uncle, bumbling adults, and a few red herrings-are all here, but this latest chapter introduces new depths. For instance, Tesla, always quick to seek out dangerous projects to keep her mind off her missing parents, starts to wonder if her hastiness is putting her brother and friends into jeopardy far too often. And Uncle Newt comes to understand he must be more than just a babysitter; he genuinely worries about how he's supposed to care for the kids. Authors Pflugfelder and Hockensmith are improving the series with each outing.-Marie Drucker, Malverne Public Library, NY
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