4.39

4

Jan 14, 2014

A picture book biography for older readers about the man responsible for lighting our lives with electricity. Most people don't know what Nikola Tesla did, and this book shines a spotlight on his scientific research. As a teenager, Tesla was fascinated with electricity and dreamed of harnessing the waters of Niagara Falls. Thomas Edison, his competitor was busy researching a different system, direct-current. But Tesla proved that AC was the way to go and changed the world. The author added A picture book biography for older readers about the man responsible for lighting our lives with electricity. Most people don't know what Nikola Tesla did, and this book shines a spotlight on his scientific research. As a teenager, Tesla was fascinated with electricity and dreamed of harnessing the waters of Niagara Falls. Thomas Edison, his competitor was busy researching a different system, direct-current. But Tesla proved that AC was the way to go and changed the world. The author added fascinating back matter describing the rivalry between Tesla and Edison, and includes scientific Q&As, illustrations, and info on a documentary film. ...more

0

Jun 26, 2015

1) Spires, A. (2014). The most magnificent thing. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press.

2) “The Most Magnificent Thing” is a light-hearted picture book about a young girl tinkering with her invention until it is just right. This relates perfectly to the story of Nikola Tesla because he faced many obstacles in his life but he kept pressing forward. Both books show that inventing, like most things in life, does not come easily and one must go through many trials before succeeding. This fiction book is a 1) Spires, A. (2014). The most magnificent thing. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press.

2) “The Most Magnificent Thing” is a light-hearted picture book about a young girl tinkering with her invention until it is just right. This relates perfectly to the story of Nikola Tesla because he faced many obstacles in his life but he kept pressing forward. Both books show that inventing, like most things in life, does not come easily and one must go through many trials before succeeding. This fiction book is a great way to introduce the idea of inventing and perseverance. The nonfiction text then takes this idea much farther by giving specific examples of how Nikola Tesla persevered in the face of a nasty rival (Thomas Edison) and a complete lack of funds.

3) The structure of “Electrical Wizard” is a combination of problem-solution, description, and chronological order. The author depicts Tesla’s life by presenting an obstacle and then telling how Tesla over came that challenge. The author uses strong descriptive words and writes of his life in chronological order.

4) I would use a K-W-L chart as an interactive reading strategy when reading “Electrical Wizard.” I would ask students to write down everything they know about electricity and who invented it. I would then guide the students to develop questions they have about electricity and its origins. The purpose of creating this K-W-L chart is for students to see that it was not just Thomas Edison’s invention. In fact, the author asserts that Edison was a nasty man who took advantage of Tesla’s work and blocked his efforts to produce alternating current electricity. Too often students hear a single story, and they need to know about Tesla and how his work changed scientific history as well.
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4

May 17, 2014

As a child, Tesla became fascinated by the invisible energy all around us. Patting the pet cat sent static electricity flying. What caused it? Could that electricity be created and harnessed?

Lightning, power and static electricity inspired Tesla's career. He understood how to make alternating current (AC) using magnets. This has changed our world dramatically. Edison's battery-generated electricity (DC) is great in short distances but we'd never have the massive use of electrical power we have As a child, Tesla became fascinated by the invisible energy all around us. Patting the pet cat sent static electricity flying. What caused it? Could that electricity be created and harnessed?

Lightning, power and static electricity inspired Tesla's career. He understood how to make alternating current (AC) using magnets. This has changed our world dramatically. Edison's battery-generated electricity (DC) is great in short distances but we'd never have the massive use of electrical power we have today without Tesla. Flourescent lights? Tesla. Harnessing hydropower? Tesla. Read more about how his inventions work in the notes. Tesla did a lot more than what is mentioned in the book, but this is a great intro for kids. ...more

3

Dec 03, 2015

A great introduction to electricity and Tesla, for both kids and adults.

5

Sep 04, 2017

Summary: This biography is about the famous Nikola Tesla, a Serbian Engineer who is responsible for inventing an alternating current electrical system. This system is responsible for the creation and utilization of electricity from lighting up thousands of homes to powering buildings and subways. The reader reads about the many endeavors and events of Tesla's life from birth to his success of powering turbines in Niagra falls. Along the way, he dicsovers invisible energy, alternating electrical Summary: This biography is about the famous Nikola Tesla, a Serbian Engineer who is responsible for inventing an alternating current electrical system. This system is responsible for the creation and utilization of electricity from lighting up thousands of homes to powering buildings and subways. The reader reads about the many endeavors and events of Tesla's life from birth to his success of powering turbines in Niagra falls. Along the way, he dicsovers invisible energy, alternating electrical circuits, and lighting up fairgrounds in Chicago, Illinois.

Evaluation: The author does a great job in writing an interesting biography that is engaging and fun. It is full of life lessons, stories of perseverance , and lively illustrations. It also gives perfect insight into a historic figure that is often forgotten about and pushed into the shadow of the well known Thomas Edison.

Teaching Idea: This book can be used across almost all subject. It can be used in science as introduction to an electricity lesson, in history as a historical figure lesson, and in reading as a lesson on perseverance and confidence. ...more

1

Oct 01, 2018

I am not sure what is a target age group for this book.
Judging by the format and contents - large print, lots of pictures and simple style - it is for children.
In my opinion Nicola Tesla was such a mentally disturbed personality, that it is impossible to write a good book about him, specifically for children.
The book is loaded with pictures of a magician and quite confusing text.
As for text - it is excessively sensational - wizard, magician - there not much about science, education, hard work - I am not sure what is a target age group for this book.
Judging by the format and contents - large print, lots of pictures and simple style - it is for children.
In my opinion Nicola Tesla was such a mentally disturbed personality, that it is impossible to write a good book about him, specifically for children.
The book is loaded with pictures of a magician and quite confusing text.
As for text - it is excessively sensational - wizard, magician - there not much about science, education, hard work - just spectacular demonstrations,
Two drawings I found quite disturbing - Tesla wizard keeping an electric wire in one hand and a glowing bulb in the other.
Excellent example for children.
Scientific Notes are printed at the end of the book, they include a warning: electricity kills!
Sorry authors, but all diligent readers are already dead. ...more

4

Dec 11, 2017

This work is also a biography and the main character is Nikola Tesla's life as an inventor ahead of his time in many ways. He was a revival of the more famously known Thomas Edison when it came to strides in electricity and he made great strides on a variety of items including remote controls, x-rays, speedometers, etc. I think this would be an awesome book to have students read, especially in the 3rd and 4th grade curriculum when they focus on electrical currents. Again, the idea that history This work is also a biography and the main character is Nikola Tesla's life as an inventor ahead of his time in many ways. He was a revival of the more famously known Thomas Edison when it came to strides in electricity and he made great strides on a variety of items including remote controls, x-rays, speedometers, etc. I think this would be an awesome book to have students read, especially in the 3rd and 4th grade curriculum when they focus on electrical currents. Again, the idea that history has many perspectives is one that I would want to repeat throughout the year when talking about all kinds of historical milestones and events. I like that this book also has more colorful illustrations than a typical biography would, I think that would keep students very interested and ready to turn the next page.
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4

Jan 30, 2019

A great read on a man who deserves more attention than he received. This book brings to light a man arguably more genius than Thomas Edison and one who certainly had more character. If you don't know the story, you're in for a little shock. A fascinating read for you and your children!

Ages: 6 - 12

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also A great read on a man who deserves more attention than he received. This book brings to light a man arguably more genius than Thomas Edison and one who certainly had more character. If you don't know the story, you're in for a little shock. A fascinating read for you and your children!

Ages: 6 - 12

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!

Visit my website!
...more

4

Jul 24, 2017

Electrical Wizard is a biography about the scientist Nikola Tesla who discovered a new way to create electricity through energy in nature. Nikola Tesla started in Europe trying to start the discussion of alternating currents, but nobody believed him so he moved to the United States where he knew Thomas Edison would be very beneficial for his idea. After Nikola Tesla's use of Niagara Falls' energy to create light, the world started to use nature for energy for everything and this changed the Electrical Wizard is a biography about the scientist Nikola Tesla who discovered a new way to create electricity through energy in nature. Nikola Tesla started in Europe trying to start the discussion of alternating currents, but nobody believed him so he moved to the United States where he knew Thomas Edison would be very beneficial for his idea. After Nikola Tesla's use of Niagara Falls' energy to create light, the world started to use nature for energy for everything and this changed the world forever. ...more

5

Jul 24, 2017

This beautiful picture book tells the story of the life of Nikola Tesla. Tesla was obsessed with electricity since age three when he stroked his cat and saw sparks. He dreamed of harnessing the power of Niagara Falls and turning it into electricity. This book explains Tesla’s work with alternating current. It describes his rivalry with his former hero and teacher, Thomas Edison, and all of his electrical inventions. This is a great book for children who are learning about electricity or are This beautiful picture book tells the story of the life of Nikola Tesla. Tesla was obsessed with electricity since age three when he stroked his cat and saw sparks. He dreamed of harnessing the power of Niagara Falls and turning it into electricity. This book explains Tesla’s work with alternating current. It describes his rivalry with his former hero and teacher, Thomas Edison, and all of his electrical inventions. This is a great book for children who are learning about electricity or are interested in science! ...more

4

Dec 02, 2017

This book, despite the summary at the top of this page, does not really go into the rivalry between Tesla and Edison. It talks about the rivalry a little bit, but does not really make them out to be enemies, which they were originally. This is a good non-fiction children's book, though, because the back matter goes really in depth into electricity and facts like the difference between AC and DC current, which would be good for a scientific unit on electricity, or if a student was doing a study This book, despite the summary at the top of this page, does not really go into the rivalry between Tesla and Edison. It talks about the rivalry a little bit, but does not really make them out to be enemies, which they were originally. This is a good non-fiction children's book, though, because the back matter goes really in depth into electricity and facts like the difference between AC and DC current, which would be good for a scientific unit on electricity, or if a student was doing a study on a person. This book also has good illustrations that are also clarification builders along with presenting the story well.


Rusch, E. Ill. Dominguez, O. Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ...more

4

Nov 28, 2016

This book does a really nice job of sparking curiosity in the reader. By the time we finished reading the narrative, my kids were asking me how it was possible for Tesla to touch the wire and not be electrocuted. Following the narrative is a cheerful science section with more illustrations that answer the questions kids finish the book asking. How perfect is that? Real learning happens when answers are given to questions asked!

2

Jan 03, 2020

I love learning about Nikola Tesla, but I found this book to be lacking in interest. It doesn't seem to be written in a way that would engage young readers, and even as an adult I didn't understand all the electrical concepts introduced in the book. At the same time, there's too much information (bland, vague descriptions of alternating current) and too little information (Tesla lit up the World's Fair and built a generator under Niagara Falls...and then what? The book ends there.).

5

Jul 23, 2019

Nikola Telsa's accomplishments are numerous and very few are taught about how inventive he was and how much he saw the world in a different way. He dreamed big and wanted the best for humanity. He wanted the world to benefit from the alternating current and to light the world. This book has great artwork and tells and inspiring story about changing the world in the face of power, controversy, and bureaucracy. Tesla inspires us all to ask big questions.

4

Oct 09, 2017

Summary: This book is a biography on Nikola Tesla. It explains what he had to go through to make his inventions come to life and the people he had to face while doing this.
Evaluation:I think this book gave good insight on the person that Nikola Tesla was and how he had to persevere to become so successful.
Teaching Idea: I would use this story so students can write a biography about an inventor. They could find facts here and compare their biography to this one.

4

Nov 16, 2019

It’s too bad that two of the greatest inventors were bitter rivals. Imagine what they could’ve accomplished if they had worked together instead of being pitted against each other (ahem, Thomas Edison’s fault). What an amazing man Tesla was! The end of the book features explanations of the demonstrations Tesla does in the book and the science behind them.

5

May 14, 2018

I found this book while visiting the science center. I was reading books to my children, and discovered this gem, I didn't see the cover, (probably one of my children just handed it to me). I started reading for them, but finished it for me. It opened up discussions on electricity and many of Tesla's innovations. This is a great book about a talented individual. The pictures are great too.

5

Jul 24, 2017

In this biography informational book, the reader learns about Nikola Tesla. Nikola is the reason why we use electricity the way we do today. He battled with Thomas Edison to get his alternating current idea into practice and he was able to light up the world fair.

4

Sep 10, 2018

Wonderful biography that describes Tesla's life and accomplishments as well as some of the challenges he faced. It also provides additional information about electricity, alternating currents, and safety when experimenting with electricity.

4

May 25, 2018

A biography of Nikola Tesla and how his workings with electricity impacted the world. Includes information about how types of electricity work and additional information about Tesla and Edison in the back of the book.

5

Nov 05, 2018

I bought this for my cousin who is very interested in Tesla. I decided that I should make sure it was appropriate before giving it to him. I was surprised by how smart and talented Tesla was. I found this to be entertaining and really interesting. I just hope he likes it like I did.

5

Dec 05, 2019

A beautifully illustrated biography of Tesla detailing his childhood fascination with electricity and his subsequent travels, hard work, and inventions. Loved it!

4

Jan 11, 2018

Good biography for elementary students. I especially liked the Scientific Notes at the end that go into further depth on the scientific principles introduced.

4

Jul 20, 2017

Quite a fun read, with lots of history, especially toward the end in the notes.

4

Jan 17, 2018

Interesting picture biography about Nikola Tesla. Helpful scientific notes are included at the end.