Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage: A Mystery with Hoverbots, Bristle Bots, and Other Robots You Can Build Yourself
Gr 4–7—Nick and Tesla, 11-year-old twin super sleuths, narrowly escaped danger in their first mysterious adventure. The next installment in the series picks up where the first left off-with the twins spending the summer in Half Moon Bay with their eccentric, mad scientist Uncle Newt, while their parents are out of the country (supposedly) working with soybeans. The sleepy little town's only police officer is quickly out of his element when a criminal mastermind strikes. When a valuable comic disappears and other thefts occur, the twins take it upon themselves to uncover the culprit. Authors "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Hockensmith have further developed their characters, while incorporating real science, this time in the form of robots. Step-by-step directions are included using mostly everyday objects, so readers can construct their own hoverbots and robo-roaches, while trying to decipher the clues to the mystery. With a love interest for Uncle Newt, a strong science-loving young girl, and perfectly executed red herrings, this mystery stands alone. A cryptic phone message from the twins' mom suggesting they are in mortal danger will leave fans fervently awaiting book three.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA