Elements of Genius, #1
Written by Jess Keating, Illustrated by Lissy Marlin
With an opening scene that stars a ferret aiming a death ray at a teenage girl, Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray is an adventure from start to finish. Nikki Tesla is a teenage inventor who doesn’t fit in with the rest of the world. Her father accidentally blew himself up while planning to destroy the town. Nikki has sworn to herself not to be anything like her father, but her inventions keep getting her in trouble. When her death ray and its damage are featured on the news, her mom has no other option than to turn to Genius Academy. Nikki is hesitant to go but ends up at the school with a lot of concerns. Will Nikki be able to make friends? Worst of all, her death ray gets stolen. Will she and the rest of Genius Academy be able to recover it before global disaster?
This book is a fast-paced adventure novel with cameos from historical great minds re-imagined as teenagers. There is a light romance but nothing that detracts from the whirlwind capers that the team go on. Overall a fun read.Reviewed by Amanda Hatton, Library Media Educational Technology Specialist, Bonneville Junior High
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-7
Author Website: https://jesskeating.com/
Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray
Written by Jess Keating, Illustrated by Lissy Marlin
Scholastic Press
274 pages
Release Date: July 9, 2019
ISBN: 9781338295214
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
