NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society (Book 1) by Michael Buckley
Review by Chris Singer
About the author:
Michael Buckley is the author of the New York Times bestselling series and Today Show Al Roker Book Club pick The Sisters Grimm. He has also written and developed shows for Nickelodeon, Disney, MTV Animation, the Sci- Fi Channel, the Discovery Channel, and VH1. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Alison, and son, Finn.
About the book (from the publisher):
Combining all the excitement of international espionage and all the awkwardness of elementary school, NERDS, featuring a group of unpopular students who run a spy network from inside their school, hits the mark. With the help of cutting-edge science, their nerdy qualities are enhanced and transformed into incredible abilities! They battle the Hyena, a former junior beauty pageant contestant turned assassin, and an array of James Bond–style villains, each with an evil plan more diabolical and more ridiculous than the last.
My take on the book:
This book was so much fun, I can hardly wait to get started on the next one! Michael Buckley has really set the bar high here by creating an engaging, clever and action-packed series for middle readers. Both girls and boys will enjoy reading about the James Bond-style gadgets and Transformer-like abilities (called "upgrades") each member of the NERDS possesses.
Parents and teachers will also appreciate the unique manner in which the story addresses the theme of bullying. The story also features excellent examples of teamwork (both good and bad); lots of geography and science-related references; and really well-done graphic illustrations which highlight each of the NERDS.
I'll have reviews of Book 2 and Book 3 in the series over the next several weeks. It should give you plenty of time to get to your library and read Book 1!
This looks like a really fun read. I read a similar series Agent Ameilia and its fun too.