Zap! Nikola Tesla Takes Charge (Great Idea Series)
by Monica Kulling (Author), Bill Slavin (Illustrator)
Age Range: 5 - 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3
Series: Great Idea Series
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tundra Books (August 2, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1770495223
ISBN-13: 978-1770495227
Publisher’s Blurb:
Growing up in Smiljan, Croatia, Nikola Tesla dreamed about harnessing
the power of Niagara Falls. In 1884, he walked down the gangplank into the New
York Harbor with four cents in his pocket, a book of poems, a drawing of a
flying machine, and a letter of introduction to Thomas Edison, the
"electrical wizard" of America. Upon meeting, Edison sent Tesla to
fix the SS Oregon as a test and was so astounded that he offered Tesla a
job at his factory.
Tesla and Edison had different views about electricity; Tesla wanted to develop an alternate current while Edison wanted to stick to the direct current system. Edison offered Tesla a large sum to make his direct current system more efficient, but when the work was done, Edison refused to pay. Tesla quit and when things were looking bleak, he met George Westinghouse, who also thought that alternating current was the way to light up America. He gave Tesla a job and in 1896, Tesla and Westinghouse built a generator at Niagara Falls that was able to send power as far as Buffalo, New York.
Tesla and Edison had different views about electricity; Tesla wanted to develop an alternate current while Edison wanted to stick to the direct current system. Edison offered Tesla a large sum to make his direct current system more efficient, but when the work was done, Edison refused to pay. Tesla quit and when things were looking bleak, he met George Westinghouse, who also thought that alternating current was the way to light up America. He gave Tesla a job and in 1896, Tesla and Westinghouse built a generator at Niagara Falls that was able to send power as far as Buffalo, New York.
My Thoughts:
Tesla seems to be quickly going
from overlooked inventor to THE MAN. His contributions to electrical inventions
are being recognized, and there’s even a car company that bears his name.
This simple book gives a basic
background into who Tesla was and what his contributions were.
There’s not a lot to say about
the book, it’s fairly brief and is definitely an introduction for young
children. It does paint Thomas Edison in rather a bad light, but is historically
accurate.
The illustrations add to the
storytelling without taking focus away from the narrative.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Thomas Edison isn’t very nice.
Who Might Like This Book:
Children interested in
electricity and inventions.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the
ARC.
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