Parents' Guide to

Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular: A Mystery with Animatronics, Alien Makeup, Camera Gear, and Other Movie Magic You Can Make Yourself!: Nick and Tesla, Book 5

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Kids use science, smarts to sniff out saboteur on movie set.

Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular: A Mystery with Animatronics, Alien Makeup, Camera Gear, and Other Movie Magic You Can Make Yourself!: Nick and Tesla, Book 5 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

age 7+

Based on 1 parent review

age 7+

The Best!

Great book!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

A smart take on the Scooby-Doo formula, this fifth book in the Nick and Tesla series has the twins solving a movie-set mystery. The hands-on adventure includes projects such as making a camera-steadying rig, a mechanical arm, and a stunt dummy. NICK AND TESLA'S SPECIAL EFFECTS SPECTACULAR doesn’t break new ground as a mystery, but it’s an effective strategy for engaging readers with science and innovation without being didactic.

Kids will want to pursue some of the tantalizing tips -- Sudoku fans, for example, may want to learn more about strategy, and kids with an interest in video will get lots of ideas. Though this is part of an unfolding story about the disappearance of Nick and Tesla's parents, it can easily be read as a standalone book.

Book Details

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