pretty good book but would have been better if I was reading it with someone younger

I found this to be a really neat book. I really like the way they incorporated the projects into the story line. I will have to give this to my granddaughter to read and then try to make some of the projects.

What a delightful and fun read.  Incorporating movie magic, alien makeup and throw in a super hero add rumbustious siblings, what do you get?  A splendid middle grade read.  This story will motivate a child to the mystery of behind the scene  movie magic from the simplicity to the complexity.  Papparazzi, special effects, leaking information, wait a crime need to be solve?  Yes this is where the fun begins. Totally enjoyed the author's writing skills, kept me focus.   Thank you, Darlene Cruz  I had won a book from Booklikes Giveaway.

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

****This Advance Reader's copy was received from a Booklikes Giveaway given by Quirk Books.****

*I won this book from a Booklikes giveaway.   While I wasn't required to write a review - much less a positive review - I am writing one because I read and enjoyed the book.  I got no payment, nor any other reimbursement for accepting and reviewing this book - other than, obviously, the actual book*

This series is pretty spectacular: it's fun, it's charming, and it's a great way to get kids into science, or to foster a child's interest in science.   The brilliance is in finding an overall arc - missing parents - and then finding mysteries that are smaller and that fit into one book and making them make sense.    It's in creating two characters who have solid reasons for their interest and skill in science, and not overreaching and making them unrealistically brilliant. (The best part of that last part?   It means that they're making projects like makeup and robotic arms that kids can make with some parental supervision.)

It's fun, it's child-friendly, and the projects are both easy enough for the children to make while being innovate and exciting enough for the children to get excited about trying out these projects.

I felt like the characters were well rounded, the mystery wasn't too complicated (but it didn't need to be; it's for children, and it's a vehicle to get to the experiments, at least partly), and the do-it-yourself projects continue to be easy to do, and look incredibly fun to make.   (I think my dad would have loved it if these books had been out when I'd been a child; he would have been thrilled I was reading, I would have been excited about science which is a huge plus, and he was the type who would have made these with me.  He's also very scientific minded, and went to MIT, so he would have been super excited that I was into science!)

I've sold these to parents looking for gifts, or ideas for their children, and I will continue to do so.   There are lots of children who are into building things, or into science, or who are looking for ways to spend more quality time with their children.  In fact, the book suggests that these are only made with parents at hand, helping out with the more complicated, or comparatively dangerous aspects.  (Drills, for example, are more dangerous than taping things together.)  The legal disclaimer up front points out that even following the directions, things can go wrong, and that they aren't supposed to override good judgement and common sense.   (I am clumsy, for example.   Me+drill=bad result regardless of the best directions ever, and then someone screaming, 'oh, Primus, what have you done, whywhywhy!!!)  

Still, non-clumsy people should be able to handle drills.   Er, non-clumsy adults, that is.   I mused out loud to someone that this was a great idea, described it, and then they were super excited. 

Love, love, love.   I think I might get Robot Rampage in this series for my birthday this year :D