Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World

by Elizabeth Rusch, Oliver Dominguez (Illustrator)

Overview

“An engaging volume that will encourage both budding scientists and anyone intrigued by the creative process.” — Kirkus Reviews

Here is the story of the ambitious young man who brought life-changing ideas to America, despite the obstructive efforts of his hero-turned-rival, Thomas Edison. From using alternating current to light up the Chicago World’s Fair to harnessing Niagara Falls to electrify New York City and beyond, Nikola Tesla was a revolutionary ahead of his time. Established biographer Elizabeth Rusch sheds light on this extraordinary figure, while fine artist Oliver Dominguez brings his life and inventions to vivid color. Back matter includes additional information about Tesla, scientific notes and explanations, source notes, a bibliography, and suggestions for further reading.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763679798
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/08/2015
Series:	Candlewick Biographies
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	56
Sales rank:	635,138
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	840L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

  

Editorial Reviews

This is a lively introduction to the life of an important figure in technology, someone whose ideas are still at the center of today’s world. ... An engaging volume that will encourage both budding scientists and anyone intrigued by the creative process.
—Kirkus Reviews

[T]his may be the first time readers have met Tesla, and this portrait gives them a solid appreciation for his talents and achievements.
—Booklist

Stylized illustrations ... show the drama of the man: formally dressed, showcasing his ideas at the Chicago World’s Fair; harnessing the hydroelectric power of Niagara Falls with a giant generator; and basking in the lights of Broadway after turning them on. The back matter is particularly strong, including an essay covering Tesla’s other ideas and accomplishments; diagrams and notes that explain his scientific processes; a biographical piece about Edison, emphasizing his infamous mean streak; documentation; a bibliography; and a sophisticated recommended reading list.
—The Horn Book

Rusch combines noteworthy vocabulary with engaging writing to produce a comprehensive yet compelling biography students will enjoy.
—Library Media Connection

Dominguez’s gouache and acrylic illustrations include impressive panoramas of the World’s Fair and Niagara Falls... ...[L]ibraries should consider purchasing the book for its clear biographical details reinforced by scientific explanations.
—School Library Journal

Dominguez’s mixed-media paintings ably set the historical scenes for several of Tesla’s milestone encounters, and his technical diagrams in the back matter are genuinely helpful.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

[A] compelling biography... Told from Tesla's point of view, readers will root for Tesla to win the contract to light up the Chicago World's Fair... The text and back matter, filled with clear scientific notes on electricity, will lead readers to seek out additional information on this fascinating subject.
—Shelf Awareness for Readers

From the Publisher

09/01/2013
Gr 2–5—Although Edison's inventions are celebrated in many children's books, his rival, Nikola Tesla, receives little attention. Rusch's picture-book biography starts to correct that inbalance. From childhood experiments through college studies, Tesla exhibited an interest in electricity. By the time he designed his alternating current (AC) system, he had moved from Eastern Europe to Paris but could find no investors to fund his projects. Convinced that Edison would recognize AC's value, Tesla came to America. Rather than welcome him, Edison set out to discredit AC because it threatened the direct current (DC) power stations he owned. Tesla's breakthrough came when Westinghouse, which used his inventions, won the bid to supply electricity to the Chicago World's Fair. That success was followed by Tesla's achievements in harnessing power generated by Niagara Falls to supply electricity for New York cities. Dramatic incidents such as Tesla's lighting a bulb with his hand are explained in scientific notes at the end. Diagrams and text clarify how AC and DC work, and Rusch stresses the dangers of experimenting with electricity. She provides source notes for quotations and offers detailed explanations of the Tesla-Edison rivalry and of other Tesla inventions. Dominguez's gouache and acrylic illustrations include impressive panoramas of the World's Fair and Niagara Falls, but the people lack animation. A more serious problem is the failure to provide historical context. There are no dates in the text itself, and there is no time line. Despite this oversight, most libraries should consider purchasing the book for its clear biographical details reinforced by scientific explanations. Students might compare Rusch's presentation with one or more books about Edison.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

School Library Journal

2013-08-15
Nikola Tesla's curiosity and passion for discovery are on full display in this picture-book biography. From the time he was a small boy, Serbian-born inventor Nikola Tesla was fascinated by electricity. It wasn't long before he began to notice everything about this power and ways to make it more effective. As he traveled the world, working, learning and inventing, he was constantly looking for a way to develop electricity using alternating current, a method he believed would be safer and cheaper than the direct current that was in use. When he came to the United States, he sought the help of Thomas Edison, a proponent of direct current, and the two inventors eventually found themselves rivals after initial collaboration. Despite powerful opposition, Tesla's ideas ultimately prevailed. This is a lively introduction to the life of an important figure in technology, someone whose ideas are still at the center of today's world. Rusch highlights key episodes in Tesla's creative life that will resonate with young readers. Dominguez's graphite, gouache, ink and acrylic paintings capture both the inventor's focus and his exuberance, ably complementing the narrative. The backmatter, with attention to Tesla as visionary, his rivalry with Edison and additional discussion about his work with electricity, answers questions without interrupting the story flow. An engaging volume that will encourage both budding scientists and anyone intrigued by the creative process. (sources, bibliography, further reading) (Picture book/biography. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews