Rating: Needs Parent Supervision 

Reading Level: Mid Elementary

This informative biography shares some of the interesting aspects of Tesla’s journey to brilliant inventor. Sadly, faith is not represented much at all. I think it is worth a conversation with your kid: even this brilliant inventor ended up alone; we all end with an empty life without God.

Possible Concerns:

  • Disobedience. Nikola stays up late to read books after bedtime. After his father takes away the candle, he sneaks new candles and reads until morning
  • Age of the Earth: Conservatives on the Age of the Earth might not like mention that Niagra falls was created in the ice age 12,000 years ago. (Yes, only 12,000 so perhaps ok even for conservatives?)
  • Lack of Forgiveness/Performative Identity. Nikola struggles with feeling everyone hates him after her accidentally rips a woman’s dress. He feels he ears favor later when he fixes a broken machine.
  • Illness. Tesla suffered and nearly died from Cholera and other illnesses.
  • Lack of faith. When he is healed he credits Mark Twain’s books, not God. His father, a pastor, is not really portrayed in a particularly positive light.
  • Sleep. Several times he is mentioned as only sleeping a couple hours per night. (No wonder he kept getting sick!)
  • Villainization of Thomas Edison. Edison is portrayed as a sleezy competitor who didn’t honor his word. It may be accurate; I don’t know.
  • Loneliness. He dies alone, with no family and having gone somewhat crazy. The book pretty much says, “but hey he was honored with awards and with other fame!” So a bit empty and depressing.

I wish the biography had pointed more to faith, but it just isn’t represented here. Still, I did like the science (especially discussing DC currents and AC currents) and the grit he showed pursuing his inventions.