NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society (Book One)

Wow! This is the 1st book in a new series and all I can say is, "WOW!" My 8-year-old LOVES this book! He is a HUGE fan of realistic fiction and funny books. I have been struggling to find him books that meet these criteria. He loves the books about STINK (Judy Moody's brother), The Grosse Adventures, and the Boo books (About a secret agent), but they are not challenging reading for him anymore. He read one of the 39 Clues book, but they are not really funny. This book is perfect. There are between 1 and 3 words per page that he doesn't know, so he is learning new vocabulary and being challenged. And, it is funny! For example, one of the characters has 8 rows of teeth, 2 on top and 2 on the bottom. When he gets braces, they are highly magnetic and keep getting stuck to things. My son thinks this is hysterical! The story is "realistic" in that it is about a group of 5th graders who are nerds. Basically, this group of nerds is part of a CIA/FBI group that even the president doesn't know about. NERDS stands for National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society. Each kid has a special talent to contribute to solving mysteries. In this book, the problem is that Greenland has collided with Iceland (funny!) Presumably, in every book they will solve a different mystery or crack a different case. This book is probably for 4th - 6th graders, but as I said, I'm having trouble finding something for my 3rd grader. This fits the bill! He and I can't wait 'till the 2nd book comes out. I hope the author is a fast writer! We want to read as many of these as we can over the next 4 or so years! I highly recommend this book! Update: The 2nd N.E.R.D.S. book is due out September, 2010, See comment section of this review for link. The 3rd N.E.R.D.S. book is due out September, 2011, See comment section of this review for link. My son is now 10 and he is actively looking forward to the 3rd book!

One of the few new books I've found for my 10-year old that he just couldn't put down! And, as with Diary of a Wimpy Kid...I'd bet big money that almost every tween will give this book a big thumbs up! Michael Buckley's newest book, NERDS, is primed to steal the hearts and brains of this generation of computer and science- obsessed pre-teen boys and girls. In this book the lead character, Jackson, is a "cool" boy who falls from grace and becomes a nerd when he gets a set of unwieldy braces. Ostracized by his former friends, he begins to take notice of some of the lesser figures in the school, and follows a group of seemingly unredeemable nerds into their secret hideout, only to find that they are embarked on the difficult and dangerous task of saving the world. In this spy group, each child's most nerdy trait is technologically elevated into a spy weapon that makes them truly dangerous, and they're going to teach Jackson how to appreciate his fellow nerds in a way he never anticipated. In the meantime, a female pre-teen would-be assassin is working for the evil and somewhat odd Dr. Jigsaw ...and the book is set for an epic confrontation between these two worlds. This book has gadgets and trick passageways, geographic references, and gross-out obstacles to inspire any pre-teen with scientific leanings, and it's not a bad read for parents either. Buckley's previous work, while engrossing, has mostly had girls as the lead characters. Nerds, with both a boy and a girl in the central roles, is bound to bring him a much wider audience. I wish him all success and hope that he keeps writing! I recommend this book for children ages 9-13 and their parents.

Jackson Jones is living the life any 5th grader would like. He's popular,surrounded by friends,star of the Nathan Hale Elementary football team, and there are always nerds to bully nearby. Nevertheless, his life is turned upside down when, after an appointment with his dentist,he comes out with braces and a magnetic headgear. All his friends turn their backs on him, Jackson has to leave the football team, and, the worst part is,he becomes the shame of the athletic Jones family. Jackson becomes miserable and lonely, and occupies his spare time spying on classmates and teachers. With his spying abilities, he discovers a huge secret about the nerds he used to torment. Heathcliff Hodges, Duncan Dewey,Ruby Peet,Julio Escala and Matilda Choi are actually secret agents, members of the National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society (N.E.R.D.S.),risking their lives to save the world every day, during school hours. Each of their nerdy traits has been turned into a weapon, giving them amazing skills. Jackson accidentally acquires that same technology,ends up with millions of nanobots in his braces,and is asked by the director of the team, Agent Brand, to join. Jackson decides to join, but by and by he discovers that being a secret agent isn't an easy job. He has to struggle with schoolwork, missions, keeping secrets, saving the world from mad scientist Dr. Jigsaw, who wishes to reunite the continents into Pangea, and fighting off goons and henchmen, such as the Hyena, a twelve-year-old assassin. But the biggest challenge is to get the team to accept him as one of their own. He accomplishes all of this with the help of his teammates and family, but you will find how when you read the book. Review by: Gabriela Ramos Tavarez

I ordered this for my son who loves these books. Almost all the kids in his school loves these and he just had to have it. He won't put it down and just reads it over and over. I myself have not read it yet but one day I just might. As long as he likes it and keeps reading it is all that matters.

My son is in second grade and LOVES these books. They are a tough read, though, and he has been reading well above grade level for a while. There are some really big words and some tough concepts for young kids. But overall I love that it has stretched his reading skills and been enjoyable enough for him to stick with it and not get frustrated. Love them! And such a great concept, that what might be troublesome traits making kids nerds also makes them uniquely skilled for being secret agents.

This book is perfect for kids in th tithe grade who are having trouble or being bullied. It is also a great book for kids of all ages even if they are not having trouble in school. It shows that every kid should not hurt people and that they can do or be anything if they put there mind to it and stay fit.🏃 Although I would not recommend it for children under the 2 grade

This book got him hooked. After he read it, he wanted the whole series. He tells me it was full of action and adventure and featuring 5th grade spies. He watches when the books come out and will read one book in the span of 2 days - great testimonial for getting 4th grade boys to read. He's even had boys in his class ask to borrow the books.

This ferociously funny book has a twist: the characters are all secret agents and this book is very interactive.You definitely should buy it.

I don't know of a grade school kid who has read this book and doesn't love it! It's fun and light-hearted. Our son has the second book as well. Good for boys and girls.

I LOVED this book it was one of the best reads I've had and I have read 97 books. It gives bullies the message that nerds are different but in a good way and it gives nerds geeks and non sporties courage and is hilarious I love this book IDE rate it 10000 stars if we could (happy face rate. :) :) :) :) :) 5/5

My 9 year old son loves the Nerds range of books. Fun and easy to read. Certainly entertaining! He now wants all the collection which I am happy to buy as the books are great

My 7 year old grandson loves this book and I think we all know all the jokes off my heart!

I bought this for my grandson, so I haven't read it all myself, but when he opened it he had a huge grin.