Nick and Tesla’s Special Effects Spectacular
Hardcover | Kindle Edition
Written by “Science Bob” Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
Quirk Books
Release Date: May 5th, 2015

“Science Bob” Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith have written the fifth book in the Nick and Tesla series, fully named, Nick and Tesla’s Special Effects Spectacular: A Mystery with Animatronics, Alien Makeup, Camera Gear, and Other Movie Magic You Can Make Yourself! It’s another banner book by these science geeks and Quirk Books, who live to make science fun.

“Science Bob”‘s experiments have been all over television, and Hockensmith’s notable work to date is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, also by Quirk Books.

The protagonists, Nick and Tesla, have a mystery to solve and, as usual, use scientific investigation to solve it. The book is really cool and a fun read. It also includes (with proper warnings) materials and step-by-step instructions on how to make their clever inventions. One of the inventions (that I am definitely going to try with my kids and/or students) is how to make “Horrifying Horrible Alien Zomboid Makeup.”

Squee!

The Alien Zomboid Makeup needs materials such as: white vinegar, green and black washable poster paint, baking soda, unflavored gelatin, and more. Apply with a spoon to create texture and bumps. Sprinkle your face with baking soda then spray a dish soap/vinegar mix to make your zombie face ooze. Yuck!

I mean — best thing ever!

Quirk’s synopsis:

After facing kidnappers, spies, and saboteurs in Nick and Tesla’s Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove, Nick and Tesla Holt are back! In this fifth installment, the kid inventors face a new adventure in Nick and Tesla’s Special Effects Spectacular: A Mystery With Animatronics, Alien Makeup, Camera Gear, and Other Movie Magic You Can Make Yourself.

Hollywood has arrived in their town of Half Moon Bay, and Nick, Tesla, and their friends are lucky enough to be invited behind the scenes of a big-budget superhero movie. Within minutes of arriving on set, however, it’s clear this film has a few strange problems. Nick and Tesla set to work figuring out whodunit and why.

During their intrepid investigation, the twins use their ingenuity to escape a few close calls and connect the dots. Their plans include donning homemade Horrifyingly Horrible Alien Zomboid Makeup to blend in on set, building a Superheroic Grappling Hook and Wrist Launcher to snatch evidence, diverting attention with a HomeMade Stunt Dummy, and using an Amazingly Astonishing Animatronic Reachy-Grabby Robo-Arm to search for clues. With diagrams and easy-to-follow-instructios for all the twins’ inventions, young readers can build their own projects abd join in on saving the day.

The perfect choice for Young makers, Nick and Tesla’s Special Effects Spectacular will captivate readers with its seamless mixture of intrigue, science, and hands-on projects.