M Is for Mama's Boy

NERDS #2

by Michael Buckley, Ethen Beavers (Illustrator)

The excitement of international espionage combined with the awkwardness of elementary makes for non-stop laughs in NERDS, the hilarious series from New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley!

The last time we met the NERDS, a team of superspies operating out of their school basement, they were using their high-tech abilities to stop an evil genius from destroying the world. Now they’re up against one of their own—a former teammate determined to destroy them. His unlikely henchman? A computer genius who still lives with his mom.

The evil duo manage to strip the spies of their incredible abilities. Can Duncan “Gluestick” Dewey and the rest of the NERDS team fight evil using just old-fashioned bravery and smarts?

Genres: Nerd, Science Fiction, Humor, Adventure, Middle Grade, Fiction, Espionage

246 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

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 (producers of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats). Today he lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Alison, and their son Finn.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Rebeccapd96 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Perry 6/9 October 20, 2010
Book Review

N.E.R.D.S. M is for Mama’s boy # 2
Michael Buckley
Sci- Fi Fantasy


5th Grader Duncan Dewey part of N.E.R.D.S. group. He is a secret agent. This is a book of transmissions about the N.E.R.D.S. adventure trying to stop their former teammate who is actually the villain the fought in the last book. Now their former teammate has some thugs and a 37 year old man named Albert who is a computer and comic book genius. When Albert creates a ray gun that kills the nanobyte s that give the N.E.R.D.S. members super powers they feel doomed. Can the N.E.R.D.S. defeat their former teammate old fashion combat style or not?

I love the ideas Michael Buckley has! I like the secrets agent idea and all the special powers the kids have and all the cool gadgets. I dislike that there aren’t that many girls on the team. But this book is really funny and awesome. Don’t be a nerd! Be a N.E.R.D!

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The NERDS are back in action. This time they must go up against one of their former members. Simon was sure the team would join him in taking revenge against those who bullied them. He was wrong. Now he is out to rule the world. In addition to his goon, he has a new partner. Captain Justice is willing to help Simon because Simon promised him super powers to become a real super hero. Then there is Captain Justice's crazy mother who wants power and prestige. Throw all of these characters together and you have a recipe for disaster. This book is fun for all adventure seekers and those reading this series.

[Dennys Spark's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tenia 18 años cuando leí el primer libro de Nerds y de inmediato me encanto , es genial la forma de imaginar a un espía siendo un niño el cual , bueno nadie se daría cuenta de que es un agente secreto así que guarda ese elemento sorpresa además de que todos los agentes tienen un defecto que mas que defecto se vuelve su poder y cuando supe que había salido el segundo volumen no pasaron muchos días cuando lo compre , después note que ahora la historia no era acerca de dientes de lata sino de Pegote ( nombre dado al español) espero leer los demas pronto

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was boring in the begining. The most exciting part that wasn't very exciting was the climax.

[Colin K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nerds #2 M is for Mama's Boy
Michael Buckley
5/31/18

The second action adventure book in the NERDS series written by Michael Buckley is called M is for Mama's Boy. This story tells the life of a tema of kid spies with super abilities enhanced by technology making useless abilities into super powers. Leading them to fight crime and go on spy missions.

This gives different perspectives of the whole team of kid spy crime fighters. This book is littered with humor and details these kids going on top secret missions. In this book member Duncan Dewey or Glue Stick leads them on another secret mission which involves someone who used to be on the NERDS team.

I recommend this book to basically anyone. This is a humor, action filled book with different perspectives making it more in depth. Although being in depth it is relatively easy to follow and the adventure given by the book makes it a great read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

M Is for Mama's Boy by Michael Buckley is a great book because it talks about the downs of having a lot technology . It had a lot of shocking things just like the last book. Jackson's parents knows he is spie and his sister is now smoking with “bad boys”. Heathcliff is still alive and is now the master of the squirrels. He is now is ploting revenge agaist the NERDS. I recommend this book to anyone who loves suspenseful book and spies this book is for you.

[Luna Lovegood]

good

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Ahnaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book there is acrtually no other way to put it because the events and the props the characters use are really what kids imagine of being a secret agent. An example is the Benchley they use to get to places it is looks like a school bus but when need it it turns in o a jet that shoots up the stratosphere then waits for earth to turn to the spot they want to go then it soots back down. And this is just thee beginning of awesomeness,but the interesting part is how he (the author) connects all the ideas together. The thoughts of each characters are also unique to them selves they always talk/think about stuff that Is related to their personality which is explained in almost every single page. There really is nothing to review on this book because it is hard to explain the feeling in words because unless you read it your self you won't understand the original ness.

P.S: If anyone has read any other book by Michael Buckley please let me know about how the book is pease.:)

P.P.S: after reading this book I am having trouble to figure out if I like Rick Riordan or Michael Buckley more.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The NERDS, the grade school heroes of the National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society, are at it again, fighting an ex-NERD who is using his super skills to try to take over the world while destroying part of it on the way. What I liked about the book: there's a lot of excitement and there is a clear message that technology can't do everything, that the kids need to use their brains and figure out alternative ways to win a battle when technology isn't available. What I didn't like about the book: a good part of the first half or three quarters of the book jumps around without logical transitions, lots of action and not much of anything behind the action. Still, a 4th grade boy may not care about that and the book is fun. The action calms down toward the end, a family learns how to value each person in it, and the world is again safe. What more can you ask for?

[Kim Miner Litton · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I go into schools, these books have a request list a mile long for a reason. The characters are likeable, the tone of the books is hilarious, and it's all very accessible for grade school readers. With this second book, I feel the settling in of the trend in these books. Each about one team member at a time focusing on teaching that team member a lesson. A little repetitive for me as an adult but I remember that when I was a kid I read so many Babysitter's Club books that I have no leg to stand on here. What I will say is that these books do offer a smart, subtle humor that you aren't going to get from a lot of repetitious books for beginning readers. I like them and I endorse them for any kid who wants to pick them up.

[Alice T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the top situations make this series a fun read. There's no logical explanation behind the bad guys reason to take over the world, it just is. He wouldn't be the bad guy if he was logical. Choppers is back and he wants revenge. Book one focused on Braceface, book two focuses on Duncan, aka Gluestick. When the enemies take the team offline, Gluestick has to "man-up" and realize that he doesn't need techonology to be a secret agent.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit since it took you into Gluestick's family dynamics. Out of all five agents, Gluestick's family is the only one that knows what Duncan is. Duncan's relationship with Benjamin, the Playground's computer, is also highlighted in this book since Duncan has an affinity for computers.

[Nyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! I didn't like the set up in this one quite as much as the first book (it was so cheesy you could make fondue), but once we got to the meat of the story it was all systems go.
I really enjoyed seeing the characters grow, and I thought the message - "Man Up" (A.k.a. believe in yourself, trust in your abilities, don't be lazy,stop depending on outside forces) - was presented well, if a little heavy handed at times.
I also liked that the spotlight was on a different character this time around, and I'm assuming, that that will be the case with the rest of the series as well.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was really good because all of the action ,like when duncan did not have his upgrades and he still beat simon the trader, was awesome and the comedy was super funny ,like when tanisha ,duncans sister, has a boyfreind and she uses benjamin the blue orb to spy on him and she finds out he is cheating she turns him into the fbi as a wanted criminal eventhough he isn't after she tried to shoot a neaukular missle at his house!!!!!

[Logan Licata · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best book ever! Mysteries and cliff hangers (literally) are every way. Plus you get to learn how to crack codes (no pun intended). This is probably the best book I have ever read. Do they get a new team member? Find out by reading the book. P.S. Don't share this with anyone this is top secret files okay?

[Edgar Villasenor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Albert always wanted to be a superhero, he read comic books, novels, and TV shows. So one day, when he was at the store, he found a super villain. The super villain needed help Albert, so they super villain offered him superpowers. I liked this book because it has more than 3 characters in the book. I recommend this book to the 6th graders because it really good start for reading fiction books.

[Sinan]

I loved all the action and humor like when it shows all of albert nesbitt's weaknesses. I like when "Gluestick" kicks Choppers or Simon in the face. I would reccommend this book to 5th graders who love adventure with a touch of humor.

[Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought “M is for Mama’s Boy’ was an amazing book because it was action-packed and suspenseful. There was one good cliff hanger which kept me guessing. I’m going to get book 3 of the series tomorrow!

[IGRR · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book, altho it had a predictable plot. Four supper nerdy kids kids with powers( powers like inhalers that fire weapons, braces that can turn into almost anything ) go on a mission to save the world. One character faces a lot of struggles, as he embraces him self. Also very interactive

[Ian Dutter]

This book is awesome

I really like this book how could anyone hate it? This book is funny and is full of adventure. I really like how there is a unique cast of characters.

[Jesus Montes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was good i liked it because I like action. And I like books with like tool and weapons and people that create weapons.

[Maria Vazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The NERDS are always defeating villains trying to take over the world. However, what happens when the evil villain their up against this time is there previous teammate? The genre is action and adventure. I think that this is a really great book that follows the life of 5th grade nerds that are spies in disguise.
This story takes place in South Arlington, Virginia. The nerds have to defeat Simon without any of their powers since they were taken away because they were taken away, so that they can be fixed. All they have is the knowledge they have learned and have been taught in fighting.
The 3rd person omniscient point of view affects the story because you get to see what other characters are feeling. It also adds more excitement since when your about to find something out it switches to another person view. With 3rd person omniscient it keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting to see what happens next.
I think that the ending is different than i thought it would, but it was still a great ending. ***Spoiler alert*** Simon ends up in a hospital for crazy people. In the story it states, "'If the world thinks I'm crazy, who am I to argue?' Screwball said, then a sudden giggle fit came over him. It went on and on. 'Wow, boss, that laugh is creepy,' the goon said. 'You like it? screwball asked. 'I've been working on it for a while. I think it has the right combination if foreboding and madness. New name! New laugh! New doomsday plot to destroy the word!"
I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 because it was a great story and it did keep you on the edge of your seat for some parts, but other parts where kind of boring. For example the begging when t starts it was okay, but as you keep reading it, it gets more interesting. If at the begging it was more entertaining then it would have given it a higher rate. I would recommend this book for anyone the wants a little bit of action and adventure. Anyone +7 because there are some words that younger kids maybe wouldn't know.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the NERDS series is the least memorable to me, but not the worst. In fact, saying it is the least memorable is really a compliment to the extremely memorable other books in the series. The main thing I remember about this entry are some of the characters.

Each NERDS book focuses on a different member of NERDS. In this case, it’s Duncan. He used to eat glue, and so his superpower is walking on walls with the glue. He is pretty neat, but has less personality than all the other nerds.

There is this guy named Albert who lives in his basement in his single mother’s house. He is played for laughs in this book, but as a deluded NEET, Albert is quite scary in hindsight, in this Internet age. This book feels a bit like filler to me, for other more interesting NERDS stories.

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel was just as exciting as the first book. This time, Duncan is the main character and Jackson is more in a side role. Wondering if the other books will focus on some of the other members of the NERDS team. This would be a great series for reluctant middle grade readers.

"NERDS combines all the excitement of international espionage with all the awkwardness of elementary school, and the results are hilarious. A group of unpopular fifth graders run a spy network from inside their school. With the help of cutting-edge science, they transform their nerdy qualities into incredible abilities! Their enemies? An array of James Bond–style villains, each with an evil plan more diabolical and more ridiculous than the last."

[Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my reveiw on Nerds m is for mama's boy.


It had a really good story line I really loved it it was focused on my favourite character Duncan Dewey code name agent Gluestick. Gluestick can stick to walls and shoot glue out of his finger nails. His best friend Heathcleaf hodges code name choppers had betrayed the team and became an evil mastermind. So they of course stop him.


My favourite parts was when duncan sneaks into a secret mission, and when duncan punches heathcliffs big teeth off his mouth and his squirrels start attacking him.


So yeah that was my reveiw of Nerds m is for mama's boy. The end

[Joel Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would one do with out technology? Well in Michael Buckley's M is for Mama's Boy explains this question. One reason this book is so great is because the characters. One of the best examples is Duncan Dewey who loves eating glue. Another reason that this book is good because all of the funny moments. One example of this is when Simmons's henchmen, squirrels, turn on him. One last reason this book is great is because of all the twists and turns. One last example of this is when the NERDS team looses their nano bytes. This book would be recommended to people who love funny charters and moments with several twists and turns.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was not as many puns in this one as the first, but still an enjoyable read. The codes were difficult to do without printing some of them out or writing them down. Overall, a good message about not relying on technology to fight your battles. The title also made me think that Duncan was the Mamas boy, but in reality it was one of his villains who was not very impressive by himself. I did enjoy this second installment of the N.E.R.Ds series so will be continuing.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series lived up to the promise of the first (a rare feat in any kind of series). Once again, it was a fast and fun (and funny) read. I particularly enjoyed that the story focused on my favorite of the NERDS, and that the author added a host of interesting secondary characters to expand the universe. Highly recommended - now on to Book Three!

[Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Buckley continues the adventure that captured my attention when I read the first book in the series. In this book, one of their former teammates betrays them and tries to control the world.
Michael successfully combines exciting paced events with real-life elementary school situations to create this book.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good. It is better than the first I would say, and I've gotta love the DC references. The plot is impressive, and im glad it focused on another of the main characters. This book is hardly To Kill a Mockingbird, but my goodness, it leaves an impression upon you. It is very good, and one of the best sequel books I have read, I feel.