Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown

March 1, 2016

Gr 3-6-Twin kid inventors Nick and Tesla are back in their sixth, and likely final, mystery, which sees them dodging spies while trying to locate their missing parents, who may be part of a top-secret, space-based solar-power project with the government. Spending the summer in Half Moon Bay with their eccentric and somewhat bumbling Uncle Newt, they have so far not been fruitful in finding their parents, but this time, all hands are on deck trying to unravel the clues and figure out who the traitors or double agents are and whom they can trust before it's too late. The authors once again intersperse kid-friendly instructions to build the solar-powered gadgets featured in the story including a hot dog cooker and a nighttime signal cannon that fires illuminated ping-pong balls. The twins' friends Silas and DeMarco are back, hoping to help in the quest. Science lovers, mystery hounds, and fans of the series will want to follow along to the satisfying conclusion. Humorous footnotes remind readers of what they have missed in the prior books, which aren't necessary to understand this tale but are certainly helpful. VERDICT Just the right amount of suspense, action, and science to entice a wide variety of readers.-Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.