Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage by Science Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith

Title: Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage
Author: Science Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
Read by: Macleod Andrews

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Length: 4 CDs, approximately 3 hours, 47 minutes
Source: Kewaunee Public Library.  Thank-you!

We traveled to Michigan to visit my family recently and I brought this along to entertain the kids.  Kile had checked it out from the library during summer story time on robot theme day.  We didn’t realize this was the second novel in a series, but it worked out well as a standalone.  We’ve since checked out the audiobook for the first book in the series and are now enjoying it!

Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage is the story of two kids, Nick and Tesla Holt, that are staying with their Uncle Newt while their parents are away on a mysterious trip.  They unravel mysteries using everyday household objects to build robots and other contraptions.  In this particular mystery, mysterious thefts had started to occur around their town including a rare comic book that a friend needs to help his Dad save his business.  Nick and Tesla work to solve the crime, although they take a couple of wrong turns along the way.  Uncle Newt also has a love interest, a scientist who has bought the Wonder Hut and has placed robots in all of the shops in town to advertise her store.

The kids loved this audiobook and the story and wanted more when it ended.  They loved the mystery, but having robots and science inserted was also very exciting for them. It also captured their imaginations.  We listened to disc 3 while in the car with my Dad and he got into the story as well.  It contained a lot of humor which also caught both the kids and my Dad’s attention.  It was fun to hear laughter coming from the back seat as we drove around.

The narration was great, my only complaint is that the narration often directed how to build the robots and other contraptions.  The instruction booklet was not included in the CD at the library.  I’m not sure if a booklet comes with the CD or not if you purchase it.  It was missed though as the kids really wanted to look at what the narrator was referring to.

Overall, a great science, humor, and mystery series for the kids. My kids are currently two boys 8 and 6 and one 3 year old girl.  They all enjoyed it and I did as well.