Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World

Yes. This book shows exactly how Nikola Tesla developed his groundbreaking technology in electricity when it was a brand new field of study. It talks about how from as early as his childhood he was curious and wanted to know more about the way the world works, so he studied it. The book shows how he came up with his ideas and how he tested them to make sure they would work. It also shows how others were reluctant to believe him, since the idea was so revolutionary, which can be part of the scientific process.

• Author: Elizabeth Rusch
• Illustrator: Oliver Dominguez
• Year Published: 2013
• ISBN: 978-0-545-84721-6

Science Topics

• Physical Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 3rd Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 7th Grade

Summary

This book follows the life of Nikola Tesla and his fascination with electricity. It chronicles his moves around the world to study how to make an alternating electrical current inside a motor. When he finally figured out a solution, no one believed his revolutionary ideas, including Thomas Edison. Everyone was too obsessed with direct current, a much less efficient way of using electricity. Edison even tried to scare Americans away from alternating current, saving all the business for himself, by saying it was deadly! Tesla's biggest triumph, however, was when his technology was chosen to power the World's Fair in Chicago, the first one every lit with electricity. To this day we still use the technology he invented.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: High
• Authority: High
• Accuracy: High
• Liteary Artistry: High
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Yes. This book shows exactly how Nikola Tesla developed his groundbreaking technology in electricity when it was a brand new field of study. It talks about how from as early as his childhood he was curious and wanted to know more about the way the world works, so he studied it. The book shows how he came up with his ideas and how he tested them to make sure they would work. It also shows how others were reluctant to believe him, since the idea was so revolutionary, which can be part of the scientific process.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

Yes. It does not explicitly explain the difference between direct current and alternating current. This gives children the opportunity to ask questions and investigate how this phenomenon works on their own. There are resources listed in the back of the book that they can use to find answers.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

Yes. It shows how Nikola Tesla asked scientific questions and went on to understand how important phenomena on Earth, like electricity, work. This is inspiring to students who have questions about science to come up with their own hypotheses and go out into the world to explore them.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

Yes. This would be a good book to use to introduce direct vs. alternating current in a physics lesson. It could also be used in a integrated science and social studies lesson, since it is about a famous scientist who made important discoveries and inventions.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

Yes. There is an extensive list of references and scientific explanations of Tesla's discoveries and experiments in the back of the book. This shows that the author clearly researched the subject thoroughly in order to provide the most accurate information about Tesla.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

It's hard to tell what parts of this book are fictionalized, if any. Reading the scientific notes and and author's note in the back of the book helps readers understand what parts are made up about Tesla's life and which parts are factual.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes. They were clearly done with a lot of care and can really aid readers in visualizing how the events described in the book looked in real life.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes. I would use this book to teach about current and about Nikola Tesla in my class.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

Tesla was from eastern Europe, so the book portrays the differences between him and his American contemporaries. Besides European vs. American culture, other cultures were not addressed. I did not notice any stereotyping in the book.

Is the book free from gender bias?

All the characters in the book are male, which might make some children falsely think that the only scientists, great thinkers, and inventors at that time were men. There is a bias towards men only insofar as there are no female characters included in this book.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

Yes. It is a biography of Nikola Tesla that also includes scientific explanations of his discoveries. Both the social studies and science are incorporated into this book.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

Yes. The book emphasizes that, although we might not have heard his name, Nikola Tesla was a revolutionary scientist who discovered many of the technologies that we use today to do things like power our homes with electricity. It is clear that the author feels that science is important, and that stories of people like Tesla need to be shared.