Saturday, February 21, 2015

Winter Reading 2015 Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular

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Nick and Tesla are still staying with their Uncle Newt while their parents are off on a trip. The siblings worry that their parents are actually involved in something dangerous, but don't know what to do about it. Nick distracts himself by researching wireless power transmission. Tesla throws herself into solving any mysteries or problems that come along. She and Nick have been helping their new friends, Silas and DeMarco, with the superhero movie they are filming, "Bald Eagle: The Legend Takes Flight." The brother and sister have already created a robo-arm, a stunt dummy, and a grappling hook for the movie, but now Silas needs something to keep the camera from jiggling during shots. Tesla has the idea to create a homemade Steadicam rig. While they are watching Silas use their latest invention, DeMarco's Aunt Zoe comes by and takes all the kids to the movie set where she is a producer. Aunt Zoe is working on an actual superhero movie, "The Stupefying MetalMan." Things are not going well on the set. There have been scenes leaked on the Internet; the lead actor seems to have forgotten how to act; someone is pulling pranks that are ruining scenes...it seems like the whole thing is jinxed. Can the kids figure out what is really going on and save the movie - and Aunt Zoe's job?

The story actually shows a lot about how movies are made, all the people who work on them, and the problems with security during filming. It also includes all the instructions for creating your own grappling hook and wristlauncher, Steadicam rig, alien zomboid makeup, or robo-arm. This series is great for readers who enjoy making inventions or solving mysteries. If I had read them as a kid, I know I would have bugged my parents to help me gather up all the supplies and make each one of the gadgets. :-)

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

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