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A Life Electric

The Story of Nikola Tesla
4.27 goodreads logo

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( 235 ratings, 38 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Life Electric by Azadeh Westergaard is a captivating children's book exploring the life of Nikola Tesla. Through charming illustrations and engaging storytelling, it introduces young readers to Tesla's inventions and visionary mind, highlighting how his creativity and determination shaped modern technology.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are interested in inspiring biographies for young readers. It beautifully explores the life of pioneering scientist Nikola Tesla, blending stunning illustrations with the achievements and challenges he faced, fostering curiosity and a love for science and innovation in children.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A Life Electric is a lyrical biography of the eccentric engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla.

"An elegant and enlightening look at a man who brightened the whole world." - Booklist, starred review

Born at the stroke of midnight during a lightning storm, Nikola Tesla grew up to become one of the most important electrical inventors in the world. But before working with electricity, he was a child who loved playing with the animals on his family's farm in Serbia.

An inventor since childhood, Tesla's patents encompassed everything from radar and remote-control technology to wireless communications. But his greatest invention was the AC induction motor, which used alternating currents (AC) to distribute electricity and which remains the standard for electric distribution today. Tesla's love of animals also remained constant throughout his life and led to his anointment as the Pigeon Charmer of New York for his devotion to nature's original wireless messengers.

Exploring his groundbreaking inventions against the backdrop of his private life, A Life Electric introduces Nikola Tesla to young readers unlike ever before. Azadeh Westergaard's lyrical debut brings compassion and humanity to the legacy of the brilliant inventor, while the esteemed illustrator Jolia Sard deftly brings him to life.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A Life Electric by Azadeh Westergaard is praised for its elegant storytelling and enlightening portrayal of a lesser-known inventor. Booklist regards it as an illuminating account of a man who brought light to the world, while Kirkus Reviews appreciates its captivating illustrations and portrayal of the inventor's inquisitive nature. The School Library Journal highlights it as an excellent resource for both enjoyment and informative purposes, focusing on the achievements overshadowed by those of Thomas Edison.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780593114605

Publisher: Penguin USA

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 27 July 2021

Country: United States

Imprint: Viking Books for Young Readers

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Júlia Sardà

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 214.0mm

Height: 261.0mm

Weight: 386g

Pages: 40

About the Author

Azadeh Westergaard received her BA from Harvard College and MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. A Life Electric is her picture book debut. The daughter of an electrical engineer and originally from Iran, she grew up in the United States and now lives in New York City with her husband and three boys. Visit her at ahwestergaard.com. Jolia Sard is an artist who has illustrated many books for children, including The Liszts by Kyo Maclear and Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey. Her work has been published around the world in many languages. She lives in Barcelona, Spain.

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