NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society

Buckley, Michael. NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society. Amulet Books, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8109-4324-7

Plot

In the first NERDS book, Michael Buckley moves away from fairy tale magic but keeps the appeal to tween readers high with James Bond-style science, gadgetry, and super sleuthing. The nerdy heroes of his new book turn their quirks to their advantage. Jackson, the sometime coolest kid at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia is shocked to learn that he has 64 teeth instead of the usual 28. He also needs braces and headgear which turn out to be so magnetic that Jackson ends up with metal objects stuck to his face all the time. His headgear keeps him from wearing a helmet, so he is kicked off the peewee football team. Jackson goes from king of the school to nerd status almost overnight. Fortunately, Jackson discovers the NERDS secret laboratory under his school There he learns that his orthodontic appliances can transform into whatever tool he needs, such as a boat, a rocket, a motorcycle, to aid his work as the super-spy code-named Braceface. These objects humorously remain attached to Jackson's face while he uses them. Jackson becomes a true NERD when he joins up with the rest of the six-member spy team. Agent Brand is the adult head of the NERDS. His assistant is Miss Holiday. She is the school librarian and the NERDS information specialist. Team NERDS travels the globe and works together to save the world. .

Critical Evaluation

This is a super-sleuth meets elementary school mix-up that kids will enjoy. The main character in the story is a boy. This is a departure for the author of The Sisters Grimm series of novels. There is lots of gadgetry and cool stuff. There is also a lot of tension in the story. Jackson must keep his spy work secret from his family. His brother and his dad give him a hard time for hanging out with nerds. In the end, Jackson is happy being true to himself and true to his friends. The book is packaged like a spy case file with security measures and global coordinates throughout. This makes increases the coolness factor of NERDS.

Annotations

A cool kid is transformed into a NERD super-spy when his new braces make him an outcast at school. He realizes he has important work to do and good friends to support him in his new life.

Author

Michael Buckley was a NERD as a kid. His code-name was Beanpole. Today he is happy to serve as the scribe for the Sisters Grimm and the documentation specialist for NERDS.

Genre

Fiction - adventure

Curriculum Ties

Language arts

Social Sciences – geography, using longitude and latitude coordinates

Booktalk Ideas

Ask kids if they ever feel like they are a nerd, then read the first few pages of chapter 1.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Grade 4 to 6 (ages 9 to 12).

Challenge Issues and Defense

None.

Why is it here?

This book will appeal to boy (and girls). The message of finding strength in weakness is clear but understated.