NERDS

National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society

By: Michael Buckley

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Michael Buckley is a New York Times best-selling author, having scored fans far and wide for his Sisters Grimm series and popular TV shows.

There’s no doubt about it: These kids are nerds. Awkward, unpopular, uncool as uncool can be—and yet, there’s something about these “nerds” that nobody else knows. These dweebs are actually superspies who use their dorky skills to battle the evil Hyena and other villainous baddies.

©2009 Michael Buckley (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Fantastic

Had me interested from start to finish. Definitely going to suggest this series to others.

More people need to read this series

What a fun series!!! We've (my 3 kids and I) listened to both on our way to and from school, and we all enjoyed them.

First my thoughts on the books (plot, characters): Each book lets one of the NERD team take the staring role in the story. The first book features Jackson who is just entering the team. We liked Jackson, but my daughter and I were a little annoyed at how long to "get it". You see Jackson was a nerd before. He was cool - popular. Now he can't quite figure out how come the other members of the team are still mad at him for what he did. It took a bit! There wasn't anything like that in the second book which featured Duncan. We really enjoyed him.

As for the plot of each book - great! Perfect for kids who need a fast paced story full of action and laughs. Oh the laughs - we giggled a lot through the book. In the second book there are these squirrels that really made us giggle. It's so rare to find a book that really does make me laugh. I think kids will like it. I know mine did. Both stories have some nice plot twists - especially book #1. Didn't see that coming!

The other characters are great. I love each team member. They are each unique, and I love the diversity in them. It's also really cool how they take their "nerdiness" and turn it into a power. It's cool to turn it around like that. I wish I could have some weakness of mine turned into a power! I can't wait to hear more about the rest of the team - especially Matilda who looks to be the star in book #3.

Now for the Narrator: He was great. Did a nice job getting all the voices. There are a lot of different voices he had to do with the team members, their adult leaders and the villains! Each one was distinct and really fit the character. I liked him a lot and would definitely listen to him again.

I have to note that there is always one way I know my 10-year-old son is liking the story - when he gets in the car if it isn't playing he'll say "why isn't the book on?". That tells me he's enjoying it. And let me tell you, that's high praise if he likes it!

fun

I have other books by Michael Buckley that I enjoyed lot. The same with reader Johnny Heller. This is a fun novel. The humor is obvious and suttle. From the sound of JMr Heller's reading, he's having a fun time. This is a great book for older children. It's also great story for adults.

loved the narrator

The book was ok. I kept having to rewind because my mind would wander. Just didn't keep my interest very well. The Narrator did an excellent job. I believe he was the reason I finished the book

I'm missing something

I love the Sisters Grimm stories but this one isn't drawing me in like the others. Is it the latitude/longitude at each chapter? Is it the annoying sarcasm where the listener must do something to get clearance to go to the next section? I'm not really sure. Maybe I'm not nerdy enough.

My overall vote is EH. I'm not going on to the next book.