Gr 5—8—Tom Edison IV, middle-school wannabe inventor and Thomas Edison's great-great grandson, doesn't want his family to leave Yonkers, NY, for Kansas after his father loses his job, so he's determined to find a way for his family to stay. This becomes a possibility after he discovers a clue to a centuries-old family secret related to his famous relative's discovery of the secret formula for changing metal into gold. Tom and his sidekicks Colby and Noodle are on the hunt for it. Along the way they encounter the secret society Sub Rosa (formed by the likes of Edison, Henry Ford, Babe Ruth, Franklin Roosevelt, and others) and must solve mind-boggling clues that lead them through various parts of New York City. Tom isn't the only one after the formula; Nikola Tesla's great-great grandson (who happens to be Tom's dad's former boss) believes that it belongs to him. Rumor has it that Tesla and the first Edison had a major falling out over it, and it ruined Tesla's career. The race is on to see who can solve the puzzle first. It's up to Tom to save his family's name and legacy. Edison's Gold is a fast-paced adventure filled mystery that middle schoolers will like. It's unfortunate that there is no factual note about Edison, Tesla, and whether the Sub Rosa society really existed. The ending leaves room for the possibilities of sequels.—Shannon Seglin, Patrick Henry Library, Vienna, VA
Thomas Edison IV's family has abundant innovative spirit. When riddles draw Tom into a chase for the secrets of alchemy, the vengeful descendants of rival Nikola Tesla loom large. Despite thin characterization, the breakneck pace and scientific fantasy may possibly pique readers' interest in the inventors' unembellished histories (though how the famously celibate Tesla acquired a direct descendant is a mystery).
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