(2) YA N.O.A.H. Files series. Fourteen-year-old Noah Prime is late for school and collides with classmate Sahara on his way in, although he can't remember how it happened. But that's not the only strange thing that happens that week. He suddenly freezes up and topples over when confronted by bullies, embarrasses himself on the dance floor with Sahara, and performs a difficult gymnastics routine with ease on the first try. Noah's best friend, Ogden, gradually works out that when Noah is stressed, he exhibits the defense mechanisms of various animals: bird, possum, penguin, chimpanzee, and--when he is accidentally trapped with Sahara in a refrigerated meat locker--walrus. Early in the novel, the reader is given teasing glimpses into further mysteries. A boy named Noah Tercero is captured and killed in Argentina, as is Noah Secundus in England. Do they have similar abilities? And does the same fate await Noah Prime--or can he figure things out with the help of Ogden and Sahara? With brisk pacing, offbeat humor, and endearingly quirky characters, the plot grows more outlandish with each chapter, which is perhaps fitting for a book whose title alludes to a famously nonsensical Beatles song. Shusterman and Elfman (coauthors of the Accelerati trilogy) deliver the goods in this entertaining science fiction romp, leaving readers eager for the next installment.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) 4-6 Accelerati Trilogy series. Nick Slate (Tesla's Attic) believes he can keep an ominous asteroid at bay with Tesla's Far Range Energy Emitter--but to build it he must track down many odd gizmos he mistakenly sold at his garage sale. The quirky gadgetry from the first book returns in full force, and secondary characters feel more fleshed out. Humor and a strong narrative voice carry the day.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2015

(2) 4-6 Accelerati Trilogy series. After his mother dies, fourteen-year-old Nick, his younger brother, and their father move into Great-aunt Greta's old house. The junk-filled attic includes items that were made by Nicola Tesla himself--and that have mysterious powers. A baseball glove with its own magnetic pull attracts the attention of shady scientists called the Accelerati. Likable Nick's strong narrative voice propels the well-paced story.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jeff Westover. An entertaining and thought-provoking survey of unidentified flying objects discusses possible sightings throughout history, identifies different types of alien encounters, and introduces famous names in the field, from UFO investigators to debunkers. The accessibly written book covers an impressive amount of material and strikes the right balance in presenting the opinions of both believers and skeptics. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta