STEVE HOCKENSMITH is the New York Times-bestselling author or co-author of 10 books, most recently the Nick and Tesla series of middle-grade mysteries. CHRIS KIENTZ is the writer and producer of the international award-winning Smithsonian Channel television production Raven Tales. LEE NIELSEN is an animator, illustrator, concept artist, and designer.
BOOKLIST
Four middle-schoolers on a field trip to the National Air and Space
Museum stumble onto a shocking surprise: the museum has no
airplanes. At least, not any more. History has been changed and
these four kids must travel back in time to witness a pivotal
moment in the history of air-travel and make sure it goes the way
it’s supposed to. As this is the first of the Smithsonian
Institution's new graphic novel series, it should come as no
surprise that hefty helpings of historical fact are integrated into
the story in the form of characters and events, along with a final
page of deeper historical detail. Happily, the information is
relevant and interesting (do you know, for instance, the names of
the Wright Brothers’ two major rivals
and the sorts of air ship prototypes they developed?) and
painlessly included in a brisk adventure. The crisp art, filled
with enjoyable historic detail, also helps to bring out the fun in
the education. Some questions are cleverly left dangling to pave
the way for further adventures.
— Jesse Karp
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
A fun and action-packed exploration of aviation. Eric, Dominique,
Ajay, and Josephine are the four winners of their school’s science
fair and are excited for their field trip to the Smithsonian’s
National Air and Space Museum. When they get there, they all feel
sick, and after they recover, they realize that the museum’s planes
have been replaced with massive balloon structures with the
insignia “Barris Air.” They meet Al, the only one who acknowledges
the change. Al gives the group talking bracelets that provide
historical context and sends them back to 1909 to the Hudson-Fulton
Celebration in New York City. The kids realize that something is
amiss and follow the people they think are behind the time line
shift. They discover that these men, the Barrises, are using
holographic disguises to change history and become wealthy in the
future. It’s up to the four of them to save the day. This is a
fast-paced, light read filled with information about the history of
flight. Students will also learn about Orville and Wilbur Wright’s
sister, Katharine Wright, whose contributions have often gone
unmentioned, as well as other pilots of the time. The paneling is
neat and organized, but the speech bubbles can get confusing. Some
pages are too crowded with people or text, and the bubbles overlap.
Still, the narrative is edifying and humorous, and there is
diversity among main and background characters. Back matter offers
more material about the Hudson-Fulton Celebration. VERDICT A fun
start to what should be an engaging and enlightening
series.–Kristyn Dorfman, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn,
NY
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
First in the Secret Smithsonian Adventures series, this
time-bending graphic novel sends a racially diverse quartet of
middle school students into the past to fix a corrupted timeline.
Not long after Eric, Josephine, Dominique, and Ajay win a trip to
the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, an inexplicable time
shift erases the museum's airplanes, replacing them with
dirigibles. A secretive museum guide transports the children back
to October 1909, when rival pilots, including Wilbur Wright, were
showing off their flying machines as part of the Hudson-Fulton
Celebration in New York City. Holographic disguises help the kids
blend in, but they soon attract attention as they attempt to stop
mysterious adversaries attempting to sabotage Wilbur's flight.
Hockensmith (the Nick and Tesla series) and newcomer Kientz supply
a fast-moving story full of banter and one-liners, with details
drawn from aviation history (a closing page helps set the record
straight). Reminiscent of storyboard art, Nielsen's illustrations
can look a bit sketchlike and muddied in places, but he does an
adept job of conjuring up the story's historical setting and
futuristic tech. Ages 9–12. Authors' agent: Josh Getzler, Hannigan
Salky Getzler Agency. (Feb.)
“If you know a kid who needs more comics, heads up! The Smithsonian
Institution is set to launch the Secret Smithsonian Adventures, an
educational graphic novel series aimed at middle grades readers.
Series installments will tie into exhibits from the iconic
institution's collection of 19 museums, galleries, and zoos.”
Bustle
“These graphic novels for kids are museum quality.” The
Washington Post
“(this) adventure packs a decent quantity of historical
fill.” Kirkus Reviews
“The Wrong Wrights is intriguing, fun and educational as a story.
The art is great for the medium and the piece. Also, if you don’t
actually know the historical story, it would be a great experience
to read this with your children! Grab your kid and have fun
reading The Wrong Wrights!” Talking Comics
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