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

By Bob Pflugfelder, Steve Hockensmith

36 ratings 49 reviews 43 followers
Book 5 of 5 in the  Nick & Tesla Series
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grade 5n/a533732
What do a pair of kid inventors with a knack for science and electronics do when Hollywood comes to town? Why save the day, of course! 
 
In Nick and Tesla’s Special Effects Spectacular, 11-year-old siblings Nick and Tesla Holt find themselves on the set of a big-budget superhero movie. But someone’s sabotaging the onscreen debut of their favorite comic book hero, so the brother and sister sleuths must crack the case with the help of a fresh assortment of homemade special-effects gadgets. This cinematic saga features instructions for all-new movie magic projects that kids can build themselves, such as camera gear, stunt dummies, make-up magic, and more. Science and electronics have never been so much fun! 

“How do you connect students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) with fiction reading? Look for science adventures. Get started with the Nick and Tesla series. Each book contains an engaging adventure revolving around a ‘build-it-yourself’ science project.”—Teacher Librarian

“Real project blueprints are included along with this tale of 11-year-old siblings who create outrageous contraptions and top-secret gadgets.”—Los Angeles Times

Publisher: Quirk Books
ISBN-13: 9781594747601
ISBN-10: 1594747601
Published on 5/5/2015
Binding: Hardcover
Number of pages: 256

Book Reviews (32)

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"Pay or Play?" Okay to be honest, this book was so far my favorite from these series. Nick, Telsa, DeMarco, and Silas are just hanging out on their Aunt Zoe's set (She is a line producer) which they are filming the newest superhero Hollywood debut! The only problem is that somebody is trying to destroy this set to not finish the movie! DUN DUNN DUNNNN!!!! So now what's happening???? There's itching powder on Damon WIlder's outfit, now somebody posted Damon Wilder being WILD...So who's doing all these pranks to sabotage Aunt Zoe's movie??? Why does somebody want to ruin the set???? How do you make zombie makeup? So it's up to you to read and finish this book... (SPOILER ALERT: WHY??? WHY???? Why did Mr. Pflugfelder and Mr. Hockensmith had to add a cliffhanger?!?!? Now I have to wait to read the next book?!?! I sound like a baby whining... but it's an awesome CLIFFHANGER...) Sorry for my little outburst... Also it was a pretty awesome book due to the fact it showed you how to prepare for a play or Halloween (Zombie/Alien makeup), it also showed you how to make a stunt double, and some awesome camera gear, and many more!!!! You can also learn how to use a Sudoku book as a ploy to distract somebody! These super sleuths are using a these gadgets to help them solve the case, so go read it!!! For those who enjoyed the first few books in the series... then I URGE you to read this... Or those who also enjoys suspense and action stories, this book is a must for you! Hope you enjoy! WARNING: -alien makeup, cliffhanger, a stund double, suspense, Hollywood, Sudoku, a term called, "Pay or Play?" What's not to love? Read!!!

Telsa - as in Elsa? LOL, loved your review! It was so fun to read :) I can't wait for the next book to come out :)

Ummm... oops... usually when I comment, the device I use just spell checks for me... So I think it grammar checked Tesla for Telsa... XD.... Thanks.... I really enjoyed your review too!!!!

LOL, sorry if I was kind of rude. I'm really a huge spelling freak -- but thanks for enjoying my review! Mine was a bit long *winces* Did you get the new books for the advanced reading program yet?? I was wondering if you were in it (the advanced reviewing? Advanced reading? LOL, I really don't know) since *ahem* you're probably a bibliophile and since you reviewed really early :)

NO of course not... you were NOT RUDE.... lol... it's okay... when I text with my friends I point out the spelling... so I guess that makes us kind of twinning.... idk... but no I have not received any books yet.... but ya... I am in it...lol... yeah... guilty as charged, I'm a bibliophile... I bet you are too! Your reviews always amaze me and they aren't that long... they're like short stories... but like advertising the book... now I'm rambling *blushes*... okay now I'm probably just going to hit the button to post....

Aww, thanks... Your reviews are always like the Harry Potter books (to me) I just can't resist reading them over and over again :P I ramble all the time lol, and my comments are usually way longer than I want them to be, but I don't delete things because well, it's my thoughts, and if I want to post, I shall post ;P

To do list: Read my reviews 50 times to check if spell check was changing my review XD....

Like your review. Now I want to read the book!!!! Does it really show zombie make up???

Thanks..... you should read the book, it's awesome!!! And yes... it actually shows zombie make up!!!

I loved this book so so much!!!!!!!!!!!! It is about a girl named Tesla and a boy named Nick. When their parents disappeared while working on a science experiment Nick busy's himself with trying to find out more about their disappearance Tesla is tying to distract herself with other issues. When Aunt Zoe, (their friend Demarko's aunt) offers them a chance to go and see a movie being made they answer yes to the offer. But then Damon Wilder a mysteries actor has itching powder in his outfit and he and his boss making up new scripts things get out of hand. If you want to find out more read the book. I think the message in this story is that you should try and reach your goal even if you think its not going to work. I think this book is for both boys and girls because out of the main characters there's one boy and one girl. If you want any more information read the book. I hope you like it!!!!!!

I absolutely love your review too! I also loved this book so much!!!!!!!! You covered the story perfectly and it is amazing!