How to Read the Nick and Tesla Books
For the best reading experience, we highly recommend reading the Nick and Tesla series in its original publication order. Because the books feature an ongoing story arc—centered around the mysterious disappearance of the twins' parents and their transition to living with their eccentric Uncle Newt—reading them sequentially allows you to watch the characters grow and follow the family mystery to its resolution in the final installment.
Additionally, the complexity of the science concepts and hands-on DIY projects increases slightly as the series progresses. Starting with the first book ensures that young makers build a solid foundation in basic electrical and mechanical projects before moving on to advanced robotics, special effects, and solar power.
The Complete Nick and Tesla Reading Order
Here is the complete list of the Nick and Tesla books in order. In 2024, Quirk Books began re-releasing the paperbacks with slightly updated titles, changing the original possessive phrasing (Nick and Tesla's...) to the phrasing Nick and Tesla and the.... We have noted both titles below to help you find them in library catalogs and bookstores.
1. Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab (2013)
Also published as: Nick and Tesla and the High-Voltage Danger Lab
After their parents vanish under mysterious circumstances, 11-year-old twins Nick and Tesla are sent to live with their eccentric Uncle Newt in Half Moon Bay, California. When they notice suspicious activity at a creepy house down the street, they must build electromagnets, burglar alarms, and bottle rocket launchers to investigate and stay safe.
2. Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage (2014)
Also published as: Nick and Tesla and the Robot Army Rampage
A rash of robberies hits the town, and all signs point to a new comic book shop and a strange set of robotic creations. To crack the case and outsmart a criminal mastermind, the twins build functional hoverbots, bristle bots, and other simple robots.
3. Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle (2014)
Also published as: Nick and Tesla and the Secret Agent Gadget Battle (Re-released in 2024)
The mystery of their missing parents heats up when Nick and Tesla realize they are being watched. To protect their secrets and spy on their spies, they construct espionage gear including DIY spy cameras, code wheels, and hidden recording devices.
4. Nick and Tesla's Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove (2014)
Also published as: Nick and Tesla and the Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove (Re-released in 2024)
When a scientist's animatronic replica of Nikola Tesla is sabotaged at a local museum, the twins step in. To catch the culprit, they design and build a multi-functional gadget glove equipped with LED lights, sound effects, and a voice recorder.
5. Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular (2015)
Also published as: Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular: A Mystery with Animatronics, Alien Makeup, and Other Movie Magic You Can Build Yourself
Nick and Tesla land jobs as assistants on the set of a big-budget superhero movie filming in their town. When someone begins sabotaging the production, the twins use special-effects gear, makeup tricks, and DIY movie gadgets to find the saboteur.
6. Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown (2016)
Also published as: Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown: A Mystery with Sun-Powered Gadgets You Can Build Yourself
In the action-packed finale, Nick and Tesla finally track down their kidnapped parents. To rescue them and defeat the mastermind behind the family's troubles, the twins must harness the power of the sun to build solar-powered hot-dog cookers, signal mirrors, and solar-powered alarm systems.
What to Know Before You Start
The Nick and Tesla series is a unique collaboration between real-life science educator Bob Pflugfelder (better known as "Science Bob") and mystery author Steve Hockensmith. Published by Quirk Books, this series is designed for middle-grade readers (ages 9–12) and aims to make STEM learning interactive and fun by embedding actual blueprints and step-by-step project instructions directly into the narrative.
While the story is fictional, all of the gadgets and experiments featured in the books are completely real and can be built at home using common household items like plastic bottles, cardboard, duct tape, wires, and low-voltage batteries. Because some projects involve tools like hot glue guns or wire cutters, parents and educators should provide adult supervision to ensure safety while kids are building.