NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society (NERDS, #1)

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NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society (NERDS #1)

by Michael Buckley, Ethen Beavers (Illustrator)

3.9 of 5 stars 3.90 · rating details · 2,632 ratings · 359 reviews

Michael Buckley is at his comic best in this madcap new series sure to appeal to kids looking for a quick, exciting read.

Combining all the excitement of international espionage and all the awkwardness of elementary school, NERDS, featuring a group of unpopular students who run a spy network from inside their school, hits the mark. With the help of cutting-edge science, the...more

Hardcover, 316 pages

Published September 1st 2009 by Amulet Books (first published February 29th 2000)

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Dec 13, 2010 Colin V.B rated it 4 of 5 stars

Me and a couple friends were roaming the book fair for the best book we could find. Besides from a couple of Justin Bieber books, we found N.E.R.D.S. When I first saw it I thought it was too good to be true! Because this cover was amazingly funny, and so was the book. Michael Buckley created a masterpiece. The plot idea was good and original that, surprisingly, kept you guessing. But what made this book funny was the characters. The characters in this book all have some problems that make them n...more

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Dec 09, 2011 gabriello added it

I recently read a book called N.E.R.D.S. by Michael Buckley. It is about a group of kids who have special ability that enable them to be spies. It’s a pretty good book, actually, I love it. I have also read Michael Buckley’s other series, the Sisters Grimm. Back to the book. There is also another book in the series (M is for mama’s boy) that came out in September. Also in the book, the whole is built for the kids, and kids were selected because grown-up agents didn’t know technology enough, so k...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Julesmarie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens, fantasy, sci-fi, action-crime-mystery

This has to be among the most unique and unexpected reading experiences I've had. I found this in my quest to find books to give to my students as holiday gifts. I'd read the blurb, and figured I knew pretty much what to anticipate... I was surprised (both pleasantly and unpleasantly at times) to find that I didn't.

I'll start with the unpleasant surprise. This book is very obviously written for a young, male audience. At the beginning especially, but still sprinkled throughout the book are multi...more This has to be among the most unique and unexpected reading experiences I've had. I found this in my quest to find books to give to my students as holiday gifts. I'd read the blurb, and figured I knew pretty much what to anticipate... I was surprised (both pleasantly and unpleasantly at times) to find that I didn't.

I'll start with the unpleasant surprise. This book is very obviously written for a young, male audience. At the beginning especially, but still sprinkled throughout the book are multiple attempts at jokes about such things as wedgies, noogies, nose-picking, and swirlies. It became very apparent that I was not among the target audience when those served to revolt me rather than entertain me.

I forged ahead, however, and did my best to skim over the juvenililty. And found myself thoroughly entertained by the rest of the story.

First off, the characters and the premise are fascinating. Children turned into spies and superheroes to swoop in when the other guys can't get the job done.

The children are all stereotypes of every nerd in every school in America, but that seemed like part of the fun of the story: that this could happen anywhere, and to anyone! And the way that the typical "nerd" trait was turned into their superpower by the government computer thing was brilliant!

There's the girl with asthma whose inhalers are turned into jet-packs that enable her to fly or burn through stuff. There's the boy who eats glue who's able to stick to, and therefore walk on, the walls and the ceiling.

And then there's our protagonist: former most-popular-boy-in-school. Former quarterback of the football team. Former bully. As soon as he gets braces, however, his whole life changes.

It was fascinating to get to explore this world through the point of view of the formerly-popular boy who discovers that suddenly nobody is willing to be his friend--even the nerds don't want him around.

I thought this had some lovely messages, and I'm glad that I plowed on through the adolescent body humor to get to them. I will definitely keep this in my classroom library, and may even recommend it to a student or two.(less)

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Nov 14, 2012 Sandra Pedicini rated it 3 of 5 stars

One of the better books I’ve read in this genre. It’s got a clever plot, fun characters and quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. This author clearly likes and understands kids. A group of elementary-school outcasts, including a hyperactive sugar addict, a girl who suffers with allergies, and a chubby boy, turn out to actually be spies – part of the National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society. The flawed protagonist is Jackson Jones, one of the cool kids who’s casually callous to the misfits, u...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Grades 4th-7th

Shelves: action, humor, juv-fiction, series

Jackson Jones, a 5th grader, is popular, athletic and loves to torment the nerds at his school. Unfortunately, fate deals him a shocking blow when he finds out he has to wear braces. His new look costs him his popularity, friends and getting booted off of the football team. His luck changes though as a social outcast when he stumbles onto the “nerd herd”, 5 of the most awkward kids in the 5th grade. Jackson discovers that all 5 of these misfits are super spies and he accidentally discovers their...more

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May 17, 2012 Stevie rated it 5 of 5 stars

NERDS is a fun,and highly entertaining book. I enjoyed it very much, and have already recommended it to anyone who would read it. This book follows Jackson who in the beginning is the big shot quarterback at Nathan Hale. He goes to the dentist one day, and receives hideous braces accompanied by head gear. Now he is shunned by his "friends", and he is now forced to become one of the nerds he tormented all his life. Little does he know there is more to the nerd herd than what meets the eye. Includ...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Daniel Arciniegas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Daniel by: Dad

N.E.R.D.S. is the super secret agency named National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society. This is the first book of the series. There is a second one named "M is for Momma's Boy".
Jackson Jones has everything he can ever want. He is popular at school. He is great at football, and great the best grades in the entire elementary school. Until he happens to get braces. Now, he is just a nerd. And, now that he's a "nerd", the real nerds want to recruit Jackson to become part of a successful agency,...more

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Feb 22, 2012 Patrick Hooker rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is very, very good. I'll admit, it is a touch below my reading level, as the main characters are mostly in 5th-6th grade. However, this does not detract from the book's amazing action and science parts, with electrifying moments and crazy technology peppered through the entire book. The N.E.R.D.S. are a top-secret society devoted to accomplishing missions that all others can't. The current team consists of Duncan Dewey, codename Gluestick, a paste-eater who can climb walls, Julio Escal...more

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Nov 28, 2011 Wandering Librarians rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, adventure, audio-book, boy-appeal, family, friendship, humor, middle-grade, mystery, romance, science-fiction, series

Jackson is on his way to being the most popular boy at Nathan Hale Elementary. Charming, athletic, and good looking, Jackson Jones has it made. So what if he likes to pick on the weirdos and nerds that don't fit in? Jackson is doing the world a service by keeping them in their place. In a flash he is at the bottom of the barrel and he must find new pursuits, like observing (otherwise known as spying) his ex-friends, teachers, and peers and discovering all their secrets. The only ones that seem t...more Jackson is on his way to being the most popular boy at Nathan Hale Elementary. Charming, athletic, and good looking, Jackson Jones has it made. So what if he likes to pick on the weirdos and nerds that don't fit in? Jackson is doing the world a service by keeping them in their place. In a flash he is at the bottom of the barrel and he must find new pursuits, like observing (otherwise known as spying) his ex-friends, teachers, and peers and discovering all their secrets. The only ones that seem to elude him are five losers that are always getting out of class. By pure chance Jackson hides in a locker that he sees them sneak into and finds himself in a secret lair and discovers that these five geeks routinely save the world and have spectacular nano-technology abilities to help them:

Mathilda Choi's asthma inhalers give her the abilities to fly and throw fire. She has exceptional fighting abilities and can use anything as a weapon. Heathcliff Hodges has huge buckteeth and can hypnotize anyone with them. Duncan Dewey loves to eat glue and can secrete a sticky substance from his pores allowing him to climb the walls and stick to anything. Julio Escala is ADD and harnesses his hyperactivity for super strength and speed. Ruby Peet is the team leader and is allergic to everything, including negative emotions and lying. They are not only united in saving the earth, nerdiness, and special abilities, but also their hatred of Jackson Jones. As everything seems to falling apart for the N.E.R.D.S. - with a new administrator and a douche bag new agent - they are put onto a new important case saving scientists and keeping Dr. Jigsaw from rearranging the continents. Will the agents be able to pull together and reevaluate their perspectives of each other and how they work to save the world? I listened to this in my car going to to and from work.

This has an only adequate narrator, an agonizingly slow plot, and a main character that had my yelling at my stereo asking why he was such an unbelievable ass. I truly did not find anything redeemable about Jackson. I kept thinking that he got what he deserved by being left by his friends and beat up by the agents. What a jackass. The secondary characters were too weak to take up the slack, they were either one-dimensional caricatures or ridiculously unlikable. ALL OF THEM.

I got fed up with the whole thing, about a third of the way through I just gave up and found the book and read the last two pages hoping against hope that I would be intrigued and go back and listen to the whole thing. Nope. No dice. The whole thing is bullshit, and I couldn't help thinking that I had wasted several hours of my life. It's all so unlikable! BLARGH! Don't read it, don't read the rest of the series, and I'm going to go as far as to say that you shouldn't read his other series The Sisters Grimm. (less)

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Jun 16, 2011 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, childrens-ya

Cute book. I have been reading this to my sons each night for about a week 1/2.

It is about a group of middle school kids who are actually secret agents. They are ones that get the job done even when the James Bonds of the world can't.

The book is ostensibly set up as a way to show 'nerdy' kids how awesome they really are. It uses their individual weaknesses and turns them into strengths. The initial villain of the piece turns out to be the main character, a kid named Jackson Jones who is a star...more

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May 23, 2011 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: alex-shelf

I am adding a new feature to my Goodreads acct--Alex (and later Josh) will add their own reviews of books. They're too young to have their own acct, so they'll have a shelf on my Goodreads. They're branching out to books I haven't read yet, but might give you ideas for new books for your kids.

here's Alex's first post:

Book Review: N.E.R.D.S

I really liked the book NERDS by Michal Buckley. The book is about a kid who becomes a nerd, then discovers a national organization called the NERDS, or Nati...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Chris rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: guys-read, adventure, humor, j, light, not-graphic

A very hesitant three stars that was almost two, but I got drawn into the action enough by the end to enjoy it.

I was very disappointed with the general execution of the concept, though, and generally found the humor much too low-brow for a book with a dedication that reads: For dorks, dweebs, geeks, spazzes, waste cases, and nerds everywhere. Someday you too will change the world. It's possible for "stupid" humor to be very intelligent and clever, but this wasn't it; it was much too simplistic....more

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Oct 18, 2009 William Bentrim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nerds by Michael Buckley

The class bully discovers that popularity can’t conquer all. He joins a group, he perceives as less gifted, and discovers a new depth to his character. The entire time the group is fighting an attempt to literally restructure the world.

I am not the appropriate demographic for this book. However young in heart I might be, I’m not sure I can get all the way back to middle school. I suspect my 11 year old grandson is going to love this book. My guess is that Buckley nailed...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Kellylynn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Still not a fan of this series, but my boy likes it so I shall keep reading with him.

He noted that he wasn't as happy with this one as he was with the other one we read. But we still haven't had a chance to sit and talk over the details of the story.

Overall I like what the author is trying to do with it. And yes, the book has a feel like a Saturday morning cartoon. I just don't like the way some things are written. Some of it seems stilted and the kids act well beyond their age.

this one is the s...more

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Dec 30, 2011 Ahnaf rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites

This series (I already started reading the 2nd book) I have got to say is one of the best books in the history of books and I have to admit this is much better than Percy Jackson (My POV). The text is set for a grade 3 student but it is just so hard to stop reading. The author (Michael Buckley)made the story so clear with all the gadgets and complex events going on and at the same he tried to make the scenes sound cool by using is imagination,e.g: There was a part in the story where a agent and...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Becky B rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-ficiton, humor, misfits, spy

Jackson, aka Braceface, used to be the cool kid in school and star of the football team, but all of that changes when he gets braces with enough headgear to turn him into a walking electromagnetic hazard. He goes from becoming the popular guy who teased and tormented nerds, to a less than invisible 5th grader that even the nerds won't hang out with (mostly because of their history with him). Jackson uses his invisibility to start spying on people and learning secrets. This backfires in a major w...more Jackson, aka Braceface, used to be the cool kid in school and star of the football team, but all of that changes when he gets braces with enough headgear to turn him into a walking electromagnetic hazard. He goes from becoming the popular guy who teased and tormented nerds, to a less than invisible 5th grader that even the nerds won't hang out with (mostly because of their history with him). Jackson uses his invisibility to start spying on people and learning secrets. This backfires in a major way when he accidentally stumbles into top secret N.E.R.D.S. spy headquarters through a locker in school. In his attempts to evade capture by authorities in the spy HQ, he locks himself in the upgrade room and finds himself quickly upgraded with super braces that do some freaky things. Agent Brand, former James Bond type, recently relocated to director of N.E.R.D.S. decides to recruit Braceface, much to the horror of the other kids on the team. As part of their cover, all are nerds in the elementary school and thus have unpleasant memories of Jackson in his former bullying days. Jackson himself isn't too sure he is cut out for this spy thing, and it takes a couple of adventures to help them all figure things out. The adventures are plenty thanks to the actions of the crazy Dr. Jigsaw who is bent on moving the continents back together, regardless of the havoc that might cause. To do this, he has been "asking" scientists to help him with the help of his goon, the Hyena, a 12 year old beauty queen turned would be assassin.

This book is obviously aimed squarely at the upper elementary & middle school mind. The humor half of the time involves things like boogers, ear wax, and cosmic wedgies, but it didn't feel it was overdone to the point that I was losing brain cells reading this (unlike some other books aimed at middle school boys I could mention). Girls could still be convinced to pick this book up and probably enjoy it, especially since boys and girls alike enjoy the children as spies thing. Parents and teachers will probably like this because mixed in with the ear wax and cool spy gadgets is a great lesson on bullying, judging by appearances, and the long term repercussions of how you treat other people. Braceface learns this lesson the hard way, but he does learn it. A good book for reluctant readers.

Notes on content: No language issues. There is one brief kiss, but it is not sentimental really. No other sexual content. There is some violence, as bad guys are being mean but it is done in cartoon style.(less)

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Mar 20, 2012 Tami rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: juvenile-mystery-adventure, juvenile-fantasy-scifi, read-aloud-recommendation

NERDS is an acronym which stands for National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society. The members of the Society are highly trained special agents–the ones the government calls in when no one else can get the job done. And all the agents are elementary school students.

Jackson Jones begins the story as the most popular boy in Nathan Hale Elementary School. He’s the star of his PeeWee football team, he has lots of friends and he has no patience for and torments the “nerds” at his school. All of tha...more NERDS is an acronym which stands for National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society. The members of the Society are highly trained special agents–the ones the government calls in when no one else can get the job done. And all the agents are elementary school students.

Jackson Jones begins the story as the most popular boy in Nathan Hale Elementary School. He’s the star of his PeeWee football team, he has lots of friends and he has no patience for and torments the “nerds” at his school. All of that changes for Jackson when his dentist discovers he has two complete sets of teeth (64 in all).

It is at this point the reader realizes that the story will not be realistic fiction but will instead make the leap to delightfully cartoonish silliness in its details. Jackson has 32 teeth removed and braces installed. He is horrified, believing that “nerds wear braces.” His fears are confirmed when he returns to school and the friends with whom he used to hang out call him names and refuse to associate with him. He also discovers that the “nerds,” who he had assumed would be grateful to have him in their group, want nothing to do with him either.

Alone, Jackson begins to observe the people around him, realizing that he can learn other people’s “secrets” by watching for clues in their behavior. This leads him to follow a group of “nerds” he notices all seem to develop the same sneeze and exit the classroom at exactly the same time. Jackson consequently stumbles into the inner sanctum of a huge spy base built underneath the school–the NERDS headquarters.

The NERDS computer in the ‘upgrade’ room mistakenly installs nanotechnology in Jackson’s braces. This allows his braces to develop superhuman strength and abilities, able to extend multiple arms out of his mouth. Jackson becomes a trainee with the NERDS, over the objections of the other five agents, who virulently dislike Jackson due to his treatment of them before he underwent his own transformation.

The adventures which follow are exciting and funny. They have all the intrigue, spy gadgets and danger of adventure while also full of slapstick-like battles with an eleven-year-old assassin (Mindy aka The Hyena) and a crazy mad scientist named Dr. Jigsaw intent on destroying the world.

What I particularly enjoy about this book is it’s sense of adventure and fun coupled with a subtle message about our judgement and consequent treatment of our peers. Jackson undergoes more than a physical transformation in the story. He realizes and is rightfully ashamed of his cruelty toward others. And he makes a genuine effort to change from within as well as externally.

This is a great read-aloud or independent read for grades 2 – 5. There are currently 2 other books in the NERDS series. Also, fans of the author may recognize or want to check into his Sisters Grimm series of fairytale detectives. This series appeals to a little older audience and is more fantasy and adventure than the silly slapstick of NERDS, but is just as well-crafted and exciting.
(less)

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Jul 18, 2011 Alyssa Calhoun rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens-choice-2011

Jackson Jones is the most popular student at Nathan Hale Elementary School. He is the star of the football team, good looking and was loved by his teachers. His biggest hobby was bullying the nerds of Nathan Hale, and there were a lot of them. All of Jackson's popularity changed, however, when he found himself wearing braces and headgear. He had become a nerd.

None of Jackson's friends would talk to him, but he began noticing something about the nerds. They always sneezed all at the same time. An...more Jackson Jones is the most popular student at Nathan Hale Elementary School. He is the star of the football team, good looking and was loved by his teachers. His biggest hobby was bullying the nerds of Nathan Hale, and there were a lot of them. All of Jackson's popularity changed, however, when he found himself wearing braces and headgear. He had become a nerd.

None of Jackson's friends would talk to him, but he began noticing something about the nerds. They always sneezed all at the same time. And then they would leave class. Jackson followed them one day, and watched the nerds all shove themselves into lockers. He did the same and after falling through the locker floor heard "Welcome to the Playground." There he found out about the nerds: they were superheroes and part of the NERDS, the National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society. The leader of the NERDS was Mr. Brand, who was also the school janitor. He decides to let Jackson be a part of the team, despite the kids not wanting the biggest bully in school to join them. Jackson gets his braces specialized and finds himself trying to save the world, even after getting kicked off of the team.

This is a great book that has a positive message for those "nerds" who might not always fit in with their peers. Jackson is a classic school bully, and he learns that being a bully doesn't always pay off.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to 4th-6th grade kids at school this fall, especially boys! During the 2010-2011 school year, this book was the 13th most checked out book at my school, and I expect it to move up the list this year.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

If everyone was an oddball, why had he been singled out as a nerd? --NERDS

The herd might have been a collection of misshapen goobers, but at least they had each other. --NERDS

The dorks, dweebs, goobers and spazzes that you picked on are the ones who will grow up to discover the vaccines, write the great novels, push the boundaries of science and technology and invent things that make people healthier and happier. Nerds change the world. --NERDS(less)

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Feb 11, 2011 Ubalstecha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, grade-4-to-6-boys-fiction

Jackson Jones is the star of Nathan Hale Elementary School. Good looking and popular, he is the star quarterback of his peewee football team. He is also the biggest bully in the school, taking great joy in torturing the weak who surround him. Until the day the orthodontist decides he needs braces complete with headgear.

Overnight Jackson finds himself losing everything that made him popular. No more football since he can't wear a helmet. No more good looking given the headgear. And popular? Forge...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm not enthusiastic with this one. I rate it 3 stars though, because the story is not really bad. It just has a lot of silliness in it that might have more appeal to younger readers.

A bunch of nerdy 5th graders are secret agents of the NERDS (National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society). This select nerds are trained to fight, Cutting edge technology is used to augment and transform their dorkiness as weapons... like Mathilda using her asthma inhaler to fly and buzz around. Then there's He...more I'm not enthusiastic with this one. I rate it 3 stars though, because the story is not really bad. It just has a lot of silliness in it that might have more appeal to younger readers.

A bunch of nerdy 5th graders are secret agents of the NERDS (National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society). This select nerds are trained to fight, Cutting edge technology is used to augment and transform their dorkiness as weapons... like Mathilda using her asthma inhaler to fly and buzz around. Then there's Heathcliff using his collosal case of buckteeth for hypnotism. There really is a lot of silliness going on here that I think the author means to be funny, but it doesn't work for me. It is too ridiculous...like Duncan who can walk on walls and ceilings because he can produce sticky stuff because he eats glue...LOTS of glue.....uh, wouldn't he have died long before the computers at NERDS enhanced him? There is also the manner of reaching the NERDS' HQ which is in the basement of their school Nathan Hale Elementary-- they are transported to it in secret chutes built anywhere in the school like lockers, cafeteria, and who knows where. This silliness reminds me of an anime I used to watch with my kids, Totally Spies, and this is what I found in the web about it and I qoute:

"When he needs them (the spies), Jerry can "WOOHP" them to his office at the press of a button from wherever they might be. This is usually done via vacuum tunnels that lead to the office, but they have also been blasted to their destination via rocket ship, teleported, picked right off the freeway via helicopter, and scooped up by a passing train. On missions, Jerry provides the spies with information, analyzes clues, and occasionally steps in to give them a hand. Jerry added the computer system G.L.A.D.I.S. (Gadget Lending And Distributing Interactive System) to help him run his office....."

In this book though, the " woohping" was confined in the school area, but I could just replace Jerry with Brand (nerds' boss), GLADIS with Benjamin (nerds' supercomputer with level 4 artificial intelligence), and WOOHP with NERDS, and we are back on track with this review. The prepubescent spies are chosen because they are more techno-savvy than their adult counterparts and are easily ignored during clandestine operations.They are up against Dr. Jigsaw who intend to move continents back together again. They would have won against him too, if not for a traitor in the group.

Now it's up to Jackson Jones to help the team. He is a former popular kid turned outcast because of his highly magnetic braces with head gear. He used to bully these nerds and now he is one of them. After accidentally discovering the NERDS hq, Brand recruits him to be a member, but none of the team cares for him. So he wants to show them he is sorry for his mean pranks by saving the day. He teams up with Dr. Jigsaw's goon turned good guy-- or girl. This 12 yr old multiple beauty title holder is an assassin, or wants to be. But she only wants to kill one at a time-- not destroy the world and be a mass murderer, so she is switching sides for the moment. GEEZ! I feel so silly just writing that silliness.

Anyway, there's lot of action here, thankfully, with crazy moves and spy bling to rival Mr.Gadget. It is a smooth and fluid read, maybe owing to its target audience. The addition of access points for level clearance throughout the book is just brilliant, giving the reader a buzz, or a sense of achievement for reaching that far into the adventure. The best part is, I think, the book gives inspiration to those who are branded as nerds by their peers. Nerds can kick-ass too. AND, this story leaves a red flag message to all the bullies out there----be careful with what you are doing... it might come back and hit you.

(less)

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Aug 22, 2012 Holly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio-book, books-for-boys, character-traits, fantasy-science-fiction, humor, intermediate-kids-book, adventure

3.5 stars. Jim Dale narrates the audio version of this crazy adventure starring the N.E.R.D.S.: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society. This superspy group is made up of actual fifth grade nerds whose nerdy characteristics have been bionically enhanced into superpowers. The government made them into agents because they're small, overlooked, underestimated, and tech-savvy. Jackson, who was once super popular and the school's star football player, gets braces and is rejected by his once a...more

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Oct 11, 2011 Kyan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I like this book because it has lots of action, adventure and it's also very funny. This book is about some kids that are spies but also they are nerds in school. And their Spy Society is called NERDS, which stands for National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society.

The main part in this book is about a large mission that is very hard and devastating. There is an evil scientist, and his name is Dr. Jigsaw. He is trying to build a machine that puts all the continents back together to make the big...more

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Nov 17, 2010 Cboatfield11 rated it 3 of 5 stars

To access this review, you must put your eye close to the computer for an iris scan. Okay, access granted. This story is about how Jackson Jones a once popular guy plummets to total loser after he is fitted for braces and head gear. Meanwhile, he falls into the underground headquarters of a group of outcasts at his school called NERDS. With their technological transformations they fight crime returning to school right before the final bell. As Jackson tries to find his way out, he is mistakenly...more

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Feb 27, 2010 Miss Clark rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Boys aged 8 +

Shelves: adventure, children-s, fairytale-fantasy-sci-fi-mythology, modern-presentday

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It is very different from Buckley's other series, The Sisters Grimm, which I highly enjoy. This one is more action oriented and will appeal a great deal more to boys, esp. since the main character is a boy.

Jason is the boy that has it all. Good looks, athletic skill, tons of friends. He is the most popular boy at his middle school, captain of the football team. He also mercilessly teases the geeks at his school and makes their lives sheer misery.

But Jason's perfect life goes straight out the win...more

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Nov 20, 2009 Gaby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens-books, detective-and-mystery, fantasy

NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society (Book One)

Fifth grader Jackson Jones of Arlington, Virginia was very, very, very, very, very, very very, very popular at Nathan Hale Elementary School. Head of his PeeWee football team and with a catchy touchdown dance, Jackson was so popular that his fellow students copied his every move. Jackson and his friends had a particular game - catching and tormenting the many nerds that populate Nathan Hale Elementary School. Jackson orchestrated a...more NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society (Book One)

Fifth grader Jackson Jones of Arlington, Virginia was very, very, very, very, very, very very, very popular at Nathan Hale Elementary School. Head of his PeeWee football team and with a catchy touchdown dance, Jackson was so popular that his fellow students copied his every move. Jackson and his friends had a particular game - catching and tormenting the many nerds that populate Nathan Hale Elementary School. Jackson orchestrated and executed spitwad attacks, "purple nurples, blistering pink bellies, cruel charley horses, nasty noogies" and atomic wedgies - just for fun.

But when Jackson's visit to the dentist leads to major braces, his life changes dramatically. He's soon a nerd himself. His old friends pick on him. And the nerds he'd picked on want nothing to do with him. Lonely, Jackson passes the time trying to uncover the many secrets at Nathan Hale Elementary School.

His greatest discovery is the existence of NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society, a secret government agency composed of the most elite and successful secret agents. Billions of dollars in research and scientific support have given these elite agent amazing physical and techonological powers. For NERDS, the government has recruited the only group not afraid of technology - children. The team is made up of the same nerds and geeks that Jackson had enjoyed tormenting during his popular days!

The NERDS are made up of: Matilda with the inhalers that can be used as rockets or a blow torch. Melinda turns out to be a gifted killer who can use any household item as a deadly weapons. Bucktooth Heathcliff can use his front teeth to hypnotize anyone and force them to obey his commands. Junkfood addict Flinch has superhuman strength, partly linked to his huge consumption of candy and sugar. Ruby with the rashes and hives turns out to be highly sensitive to falsehood - she is a human lie detector. Duncan, the paste-eater, who can stick to walls and trap enemies with his special glue. Jackson's braces are upgraded with billions of dollars of nanotechnology - so that they work like transformers and can do anything that he can picture in his mind! The NERDS travel on the "School bus" a super rocket.

Jackson wants to be one of the NERDS so badly. He doesn't understand the antagonism - his fellow agents seem to dislike him no matter what he does. When Jackson recognizes how he'd been a jerk to the NERDS, he tries to make it up to them as they work together to figure out the sudden spate of kidnappings and natural disasters.

Further complicating things for Jackson is the appearance of the former child beauty pagent winner and professional assassin, Mindy (a.k.a. the "Hyena").

NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society is witty and action-packed. The description of the elementary school social hierarchy and taunts was particularly well done. It's sure to be a huge hit with young readers - whether they're girls or boys!

Publisher: Amulet Books; 1 edition (September 1, 2009), 336 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.(less)

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Jun 04, 2010 Evy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series

I have been open to Michael Buckley's books since I have fallen in love with the first book of his series THE SISTERS GRIMM. So when I heard of NERDS I automatically wanted to read it! It appears that I have made no mistake on my part. There are many good sides of the story, as it is humorous and adventurous. It could have a larger, more focused plot; the bad guy in the story barely gets any attention at all, while the good guys can take up multiple chapters at a time. I think that readers would...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Kimberley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: nerdy, totally-awesome

When my sister came back home with this book, I immediately related to it. I'M SUCH A NERD!

Then, I wanted to read it. So I did. I also enjoyed it.

I kinda already knew who Simon was, as I did flip to the back and read the part that gave a preview of the next book, but still, I had a feeling there was something wrong with Choppers all the way through - and to be quite honest, he scares me.

Jackson was like the stereo-typical bad boy. Then braces turned his life around. I don't think anyone wants to...more

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Jun 27, 2010 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I was at AASL in November, one of the authors I got to meet and get an autographed advanced copy of a book from, was Michael Buckley. He was very nice and gracious, and I truly have enjoyed the Sisters Grimm series. But I think Buckley's moving on to a new series that my students will really like and I'm excited about that. I did get an autographed copy of NERDS, but I never read it. I gave it away as a prize during our bookfair. I ordered a hardback copy of it for our library though, and I...more

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Apr 14, 2012 Heidi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-book-challenge, children-0-12, fiction, for-work, no-girls-allowed, tween-10-13, juv-6-12, series, fantasy, humor

Not quite my kind of book, but better than some of the silliness in children's fiction that is out there. I wasn't really compelled to return to reading the story. The main thing that got me back to reading pieces each day was that I have so many other books I need to get to--at least 2 besides this one needing to be read for work.

This was predictable. There was one thing that rather irked me along the reading, which I knew would change by the end but it just took forever to get to that part whe...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Mike Karapetyan rated it 5 of 5 stars

I chose the book "N.E.R.D.S" because the cover and the title (National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society) sounded like it had a lot of action.In the book "Nerds" five kids who were known as the class nerds, were always picked on but they were secret agents. One kid who picked on them the most was Jackson Jones, th class "jock" as we can say. But one day when Jackson gor his braces and snuck into the "nersds" lab, he too was now a secret "N.E.R.D" agent. The authors writing style had a way wh...more

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About Michael Buckley

New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He tried his hand as a stand-up comic and lead singer for a punk rock back before attending Ohio University. After graduating with honors he moved to New York City to be an intern on the Late Show with David Letterman which led to stints developing programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo (pro...more

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Books by Michael Buckley

The Fairy-Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm, #1)

The Unusual Suspects (The Sisters Grimm, #2)

The Problem Child (The Sisters Grimm, #3)

Magic and Other Misdemeanors (The Sisters Grimm, #5)

Once Upon a Crime (The Sisters Grimm, #4)

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