March 1, 2015
Gr 4-8-In this installment of the wacky, science thriller "Accelerati" trilogy, 14-year-old Nick discovers important artifacts in his attic left by genius scientist Nikola Tesla. The items are part of Tesla's Free Range Energy Emitter, which could change the way the world uses energy. However, he must find the missing items needed to finsh Tesla's contraption before a group of sinister scientists steal them for their own gain.
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May 1, 2015
Celestial Object Felicity Bonk -- the asteroid that nearly destroyed the planet in Tesla's Attic (rev. 3/14) -- maintains its ominous orbit of Earth. Nick Slate believes that he can keep the mysterious orb at bay (or possibly get rid of it for good) by building Tesla's Far Range Energy Emitter (or FREE), which -- in addition to saving humanity -- may also be capable of transmitting energy across the world. Nick embarks on an unenviable reclamation project to find the many odd gizmos he mistakenly sold at his garage sale a few weeks before and fit them together to make the FREE. The quirky gadgetry from the first book returns in full force with some intriguing additions, such as an invisible-stringed harp that sends out cosmic vibrations when plucked. Secondary characters feel more fleshed out than in the previous installment; the authors give more airtime to key members of the villainous Accelerati, and Nick's friends show some sinister sides as well (could one or more of Nick's chums be double-crossing him?). Nick's relationship with Caitlin blossoms into more than just a friendship, but in a very G-rated manner. As in the previous book, the plotting gets a bit convoluted in places, but the humor and the strong narrative voice carry the day. Stay tuned for what is likely to be an apocalyptic finale. sam bloom
(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
July 1, 2015
Nick Slate (Tesla's Attic) believes he can keep an ominous asteroid at bay with Tesla's Far Range Energy Emitter--but to build it he must track down many odd gizmos he mistakenly sold at his garage sale. The quirky gadgetry from the first book returns in full force, and secondary characters feel more fleshed out. Humor and a strong narrative voice carry the day.
(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)