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Ada Lace Adventures #3
Ada Lace, Take Me to Your Leader
From Emily Calandrelli—host of Xploration Outer Space, correspondent on Bill Nye Saves the World, and graduate of MIT—comes the third novel in a fun illustrated chapter book series about an eight-year-old girl with a knack for science, math, and solving mysteries with technology.
Third grader and inventor extraordinaire Ada Lace likes nothing more than to tinker with mechanics like her robot, George. Her latest project is to fix up a ham radio, something that she could use to contact people on this planet…and beyond. The only problem is that she just can’t get it to work properly.
During a sleepover, Ada’s best friend Nina hears something strange coming from the radio in the middle of the night. A distant voice says, “Release the swarm!” convincing Nina that aliens are about to invade planet Earth.
Could Ada and Nina have stumbled upon something…extraterrestrial?
Third grader and inventor extraordinaire Ada Lace likes nothing more than to tinker with mechanics like her robot, George. Her latest project is to fix up a ham radio, something that she could use to contact people on this planet…and beyond. The only problem is that she just can’t get it to work properly.
During a sleepover, Ada’s best friend Nina hears something strange coming from the radio in the middle of the night. A distant voice says, “Release the swarm!” convincing Nina that aliens are about to invade planet Earth.
Could Ada and Nina have stumbled upon something…extraterrestrial?
96 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2018
44 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 5, 2021
Yes, we need more books like this. But I just don't think it's executed as well as it could be; I just didn't like it enough for four stars. Elliot is still just plain obnoxious, George is still too clever (he's not hooked up to Google & etc.), and Nina & Ada are too different to be friends.
I do like how Milton's character is being developed, and that Ada will neither take guff from him nor cut him cold.
I do like how Milton's character is being developed, and that Ada will neither take guff from him nor cut him cold.
June 4, 2023
A review by CJ, age 6.
I liked when Nina thought it was the aliens because I like aliens. So when they found out it was the satellites, and they were lined up [with the ISS], it was so cool
And what also was cool is Milton playing a trick on them and how Ada programmed her robot to make scary noises.
And also what I really liked was Milton and Ada are friends now. So I think in the fourth book it’s going to be like they’re super friends.
And they’re going to play together and fly Milton’s kite a lot and talk on the ham a lot. And I think they’re going to do cases together and other stuff that’s fun together.
I’m going to sing a song about my favorite part:
Harmony harmony harmony. I love to sing. I love to sing. Whenever I finish a book. I love ada Lace. I love Ada lace because she’s the coolest. There’s 5 books. And I really like them. I wanna read them every day. Harmony harmony harmony.
I liked when Nina thought it was the aliens because I like aliens. So when they found out it was the satellites, and they were lined up [with the ISS], it was so cool
And what also was cool is Milton playing a trick on them and how Ada programmed her robot to make scary noises.
And also what I really liked was Milton and Ada are friends now. So I think in the fourth book it’s going to be like they’re super friends.
And they’re going to play together and fly Milton’s kite a lot and talk on the ham a lot. And I think they’re going to do cases together and other stuff that’s fun together.
I’m going to sing a song about my favorite part:
Harmony harmony harmony. I love to sing. I love to sing. Whenever I finish a book. I love ada Lace. I love Ada lace because she’s the coolest. There’s 5 books. And I really like them. I wanna read them every day. Harmony harmony harmony.
May 14, 2018
Nice STEM book. Ham radio. Book talk.
December 30, 2018
A fun, quick read that introduces the reader to amateur radio and making friends on the air.
September 11, 2021
Review by my 8 year old.
Overall I did not like it as much as the last book. It is a sad story near the end.
Overall I did not like it as much as the last book. It is a sad story near the end.
November 4, 2020
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
January 4, 2018
Realistic Science Adventure
I'm all for early reader science-based books, but boy the pickings can be slim. Sometimes the science, especially robotics, is over the top and nonsensical. (The robots do too much too easily and are really just cartoons.) Sometimes the books are just lists of facts with a lame plot and a kid character grafted on. If the hero is a girl she's often a stereotyped tomboy with social issues. Really? I list all of these gripes because this book avoids every one of those pitfalls and delivers an entertaining, upbeat, science based friendship tale.
Our heroine, Ada Lace, has no charming quirks or unusual talents or weird family members. There's no fantasy element here. She is interested in, and understands, how things work. She puts things together, takes them apart, and figures them out. In this tale, the action centers around a ham radio. Sciencey books for kids have centered around ham radios since the 1930's, and if it worked for Tom Swift, innumerable Boy Scouts, and other honored fictional heroes, it works just as well here.
On the one hand we have the science story. Ada has to get the radio working, needs to tune up some parts, needs to set up an antenna, and needs to install a repeater. She is rewarded by finding all sorts of interesting operators out there on the air. This may be old school, but it's still neat, and at a minimum it could lead to some real life fun at least playing around with a shortwave radio.
On the other hand we have a friendship story, (Ada's pal is a little freaked out by the prospect of contacting aliens, which struck me as a childish subplot). We also have a neighbor kid story in which ham radio operating opens the door to friendship. We wrap all of that up in a generally upbeat mix of friends, family, teachers and adults, who encourage Ada in her interests.
I think that in both intent and execution this is a fine sciencey series for budding readers. Vocabulary and writing style seem age appropriate. It has that can-do "Boy's Own/Girl's Own" vibe and lots of appealing kid and adult characters. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
I'm all for early reader science-based books, but boy the pickings can be slim. Sometimes the science, especially robotics, is over the top and nonsensical. (The robots do too much too easily and are really just cartoons.) Sometimes the books are just lists of facts with a lame plot and a kid character grafted on. If the hero is a girl she's often a stereotyped tomboy with social issues. Really? I list all of these gripes because this book avoids every one of those pitfalls and delivers an entertaining, upbeat, science based friendship tale.
Our heroine, Ada Lace, has no charming quirks or unusual talents or weird family members. There's no fantasy element here. She is interested in, and understands, how things work. She puts things together, takes them apart, and figures them out. In this tale, the action centers around a ham radio. Sciencey books for kids have centered around ham radios since the 1930's, and if it worked for Tom Swift, innumerable Boy Scouts, and other honored fictional heroes, it works just as well here.
On the one hand we have the science story. Ada has to get the radio working, needs to tune up some parts, needs to set up an antenna, and needs to install a repeater. She is rewarded by finding all sorts of interesting operators out there on the air. This may be old school, but it's still neat, and at a minimum it could lead to some real life fun at least playing around with a shortwave radio.
On the other hand we have a friendship story, (Ada's pal is a little freaked out by the prospect of contacting aliens, which struck me as a childish subplot). We also have a neighbor kid story in which ham radio operating opens the door to friendship. We wrap all of that up in a generally upbeat mix of friends, family, teachers and adults, who encourage Ada in her interests.
I think that in both intent and execution this is a fine sciencey series for budding readers. Vocabulary and writing style seem age appropriate. It has that can-do "Boy's Own/Girl's Own" vibe and lots of appealing kid and adult characters. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
July 19, 2018
Ada Lace is such an interesting character! She is clever, and inventive, and a little quirky—in a fun way. Ada has what every kid wanted when I was growing up: her own robot, George, who follows her commands. She also has a new toy: a ham radio from her neighbor, Mr. Peebles. Although Ada has fun trying out the ham radio, her friend is frightened when she hears threats from aliens over the radio.
This is an exciting story that keeps kids guessing about what will happen next. Will aliens invade? Or will Ada save the day? Great for early elementary ages.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
This is an exciting story that keeps kids guessing about what will happen next. Will aliens invade? Or will Ada save the day? Great for early elementary ages.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
January 22, 2019
I would have given this book 3 stars but I really liked the amount of further information given at the end about the different topics covered in the story.
Ada enjoys using her HAM radio, but wants to involve her friend who is scared that she overheard aliens on it.
This is a series, but I read this book without reading the others and the story made sense
Ada enjoys using her HAM radio, but wants to involve her friend who is scared that she overheard aliens on it.
This is a series, but I read this book without reading the others and the story made sense
May 28, 2022
Another adorable STEM story. I love how Emily incorporates the robot from the last book into this one. Ada’s fascination with the Ham radio was interesting, and she discovered that her nemesis from the last book could actually be a good companion. The dynamic between her and Nina was a struggle this book, but they resolved it a bit at the end. All in all a delightful kid story.
May 10, 2018
This time Ada learns to use a HAM radio. They even get to talk with an astronaut on the International Space Station. She and Milton start developing a friendship over the radio too.
Terrific series for middle grade readers.
Don't miss the information text at the end of the book.
Terrific series for middle grade readers.
Don't miss the information text at the end of the book.
March 27, 2020
I listened to an astronaut read this to me. (https://storytimefromspace.com) It was fun. I saw the book float up in the air because they have no gravity. I liked that the book talked about ham radios. I liked Ada because she did not give up.
May 24, 2023
I liked this one better than the first as well. Here, Ada learns that the annoying neighbor kid can actually be a good friend... it just takes communication via radio for a while to help her see past the exterior.
April 23, 2024
My 7-year-old and I have been enjoying the Ada Lace series, but this one was a bit over her head. I even had a hard time explaining the science behind a ham radio. We liked learning about the radio together and are looking forward to the development of the characters.
April 30, 2020
It was a very exciting book! It is full of cool mysteries and friends. They always figure out a solution to their problems. They are always amazing solutions!
February 7, 2021
Great read aloud book with both my kids, this is the third book in the series and both my son and daughter have loved them all.
Read
February 3, 2022Mom & Emme
December 14, 2022
Read this to my 2nd grader; we both enjoy this series.
April 28, 2024
I like this book and I think you should read the series
March 22, 2024
Great book that teaches children about ham radio and talking to astronauts.
June 4, 2018
I loved that the parents are actually involved in their daughter's life, and that there are other adults who are invested in the lives of these kids. They encourage the love of science. This book is cute and a great way to get kids interested in science.
October 16, 2020
I still love this series but didn’t like this one as much as the other 2. It was harder for my kids to engage with it also. Maybe because they couldn’t quite visualize the radio and communication since they haven’t really ever been exposed to a free standing radio.
March 15, 2018
Review copy provided by NetGalley
Ada Lace is a child scientist whose varied interests are the focus in this series. In this entry, the focus is HAM radio. Ada gets an old HAM from her neighbor, Mr. Peebles, and begins experimenting with talking to others from the HAM community. Her friend, Nina, gets spooked by strange transmissions that she hears from it when Ada is out of the room or asleep, and Ada makes it her mission to convince Nina that it wasn't aliens she heard. Her neighbor, Milton Elliott, is a constant presence as well, though his role evolves through the text as Ada tries to sort out her her opinion of him. He's portrayed as a bit of a troublemaker at first, but as the story progresses, Ada begins to realize that there is more to him than his pranks would indicate (though the pranks are still a part of him). Personally, my favorite character, if it can be accurately called that, is George, Ada's bedroom robot assistant. George's role is small, but it's hard not to envy Ada for having a robotic friend like him. For an early chapter book series with a STEM focus, this is a worthwhile read. The text is approachable, the characters are relatable, and the plot is engaging enough that readers would certainly pick up the next book in the series after this one. Nicely done.
Ada Lace is a child scientist whose varied interests are the focus in this series. In this entry, the focus is HAM radio. Ada gets an old HAM from her neighbor, Mr. Peebles, and begins experimenting with talking to others from the HAM community. Her friend, Nina, gets spooked by strange transmissions that she hears from it when Ada is out of the room or asleep, and Ada makes it her mission to convince Nina that it wasn't aliens she heard. Her neighbor, Milton Elliott, is a constant presence as well, though his role evolves through the text as Ada tries to sort out her her opinion of him. He's portrayed as a bit of a troublemaker at first, but as the story progresses, Ada begins to realize that there is more to him than his pranks would indicate (though the pranks are still a part of him). Personally, my favorite character, if it can be accurately called that, is George, Ada's bedroom robot assistant. George's role is small, but it's hard not to envy Ada for having a robotic friend like him. For an early chapter book series with a STEM focus, this is a worthwhile read. The text is approachable, the characters are relatable, and the plot is engaging enough that readers would certainly pick up the next book in the series after this one. Nicely done.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews