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Mike Stellar: Nerves of Steel
Blast off to deep-space adventure and hijinks!Things are not so stellar for Mike Stellar. He is stunned when his parents inform him that he has only eight hours to pack before they move to Mars. Despite the fact that he suspects his parents are involved in a major sabotage plot; that the only person who believes him is a girl who won’t shut up; and that his mother’s assistant seems to be spying on Mike’s every move, Mike is dealing with the same things that every eleven-year-old deals bad cafeteria food, a strict limitation on his electronic use, and a teacher who is so old-fashioned she must be from the year 2099.With great humor and lots of action, K. A. Holt’s first novel is set to give summer reading an out-of-this-world blast of fun.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 18, 2009
I have been out of the YA demographic for a little (ahem) while....but I loved loved loved this book. It brought the humor and adventure that I loved in A Wrinkle in Time up to date. What a great read. Many many thumbs up.
December 8, 2009
Readers no sooner meet Mike Stellar than they are whisked off with him on a colonizing journey to Mars. His parents work for the Project, which terraforms planets for human habitation, but it's still quite a shock when they tell Mike that they'll be traveling with the upcoming expedition - which leaves the next day. Within a couple days of space travel, Mike knows something peculiar is going on. A beefy "executive assistant" named Mr. Shugabert (Sugar Bear as far as Mike's concerned) shadows the family everywhere, a weird girl named Larc attaches herself to Mike like a leech, and horrifically, Mike's scary teacher from Earth shows up on board. It seems there is a conspiracy - but it takes Mike a while to figure out what it is and who the Good Guys and Bad Guys are.
Who the bad guys are and what they want and how they plan to get it - is the thinnest part of the book, being rather lightly sketched in. Or maybe I was paying so much attention to the book's real attractions, which were Mike's ebullient personality, his penchant for throwing himself headfirst at trouble, and the breezy, slangy, and often extremely funny way he narrates his story, that I missed some crucial plot points. Larc, the tow-headed tall girl with bright blue braces, a hooting laugh and wicked sense of humor, and a knack for off-the-cuff comments that tend to knock Mike off-balance every time, is a heroine after my own heart - even if she is harboring a rather startling secret about her own identity.
Like most good spaceship-based SF, there are long and sterile corridors, doors that whoosh open in unexpected ways, airlocks, and a pervasive tone of subversive humor. In short, everything an SF fan could wish for. It may well convert a few norms, as well. Highly recommended for ages 9 to 12.
Who the bad guys are and what they want and how they plan to get it - is the thinnest part of the book, being rather lightly sketched in. Or maybe I was paying so much attention to the book's real attractions, which were Mike's ebullient personality, his penchant for throwing himself headfirst at trouble, and the breezy, slangy, and often extremely funny way he narrates his story, that I missed some crucial plot points. Larc, the tow-headed tall girl with bright blue braces, a hooting laugh and wicked sense of humor, and a knack for off-the-cuff comments that tend to knock Mike off-balance every time, is a heroine after my own heart - even if she is harboring a rather startling secret about her own identity.
Like most good spaceship-based SF, there are long and sterile corridors, doors that whoosh open in unexpected ways, airlocks, and a pervasive tone of subversive humor. In short, everything an SF fan could wish for. It may well convert a few norms, as well. Highly recommended for ages 9 to 12.
August 20, 2009
A Kids Book? Yes it is--preteen to early teen anyway. It is a Sci Fi mystery. Starts a little slow, but races to the end. It has a little of the feel of Junie B Jones, although not as funny and witty, and a little bit rude to his parents (and older audience).
Mike has had a bit of a rough time in life, others believing it was his parents' mistakes that caused a first flight to Mars to go missing, presumed all dead. And then one day his parents announce the family is flying to Mars, leaving the next day.
Things aren't quite right, and Mike begins trying to figure out what is going on. Overall it was good. (The language, although a little fringy for some, never swore, with one word exception.)
Mike has had a bit of a rough time in life, others believing it was his parents' mistakes that caused a first flight to Mars to go missing, presumed all dead. And then one day his parents announce the family is flying to Mars, leaving the next day.
Things aren't quite right, and Mike begins trying to figure out what is going on. Overall it was good. (The language, although a little fringy for some, never swore, with one word exception.)
April 24, 2014
"Nerves of Steel is a mystery in a science fiction setting that is more Jetsons than Hunger Games. Mike Stellar is suddenly hauled off on a space mission by his parents who were accused of being responsible for the failure of an earlier trip into the great unknown. Right away Mike thinks there's something odd going on. In traditional kid story fashion, he is all over it.
I found Mike Stellar: Nerves of Steel slow getting going. And slow in other places. I hate to admit it, but I found the plot confusing in places, too. But there came a point when I did think that child Gail would have bought into a kid being able to save the day, no matter how improbable."
Excerpt from Original Content
I found Mike Stellar: Nerves of Steel slow getting going. And slow in other places. I hate to admit it, but I found the plot confusing in places, too. But there came a point when I did think that child Gail would have bought into a kid being able to save the day, no matter how improbable."
Excerpt from Original Content
August 9, 2015
I really really enjoyed this story a lot more then I thought I would in the beginning.
Mike (the main character) is a little obnoxious and some of the language and attitude is a little out there. I thought I would hate this book. But after 50 pages the author really changed the character and I loved this book. An author who makes the characters develop over a book and a stand alone novel is brilliant!
It's great to see a sci-fi book geared to 8/9 year olds that they could understand. Take the whole name calling like fart brain and such out and I'd be a perfect book.
I'd read this over again!
Mike (the main character) is a little obnoxious and some of the language and attitude is a little out there. I thought I would hate this book. But after 50 pages the author really changed the character and I loved this book. An author who makes the characters develop over a book and a stand alone novel is brilliant!
It's great to see a sci-fi book geared to 8/9 year olds that they could understand. Take the whole name calling like fart brain and such out and I'd be a perfect book.
I'd read this over again!
July 19, 2013
Mike's doing horrible in school. His parents are preoccupied; seems they had something to do with a space mission gone bad a couple years. And now they have announced a last minute trip to Mars and Mike's to go with whether he likes it or not. Are his parents trying to sabotage yet another mission? Escape the planet before authorities catch up with them? Or are they being framed for a crime they didn't commit? And what about Mike, will Mars be a fresh start or simply a rehash of his previous problems? Especially when he quickly learns that the teacher who is almost failing him is also on the expedition. Add a little potty humor and you get the general gist of this book.
August 10, 2013
Fans of science fiction, kid heroes, and crazy teachers will get a kick out of this book. Once I set aside my disbelief (this book is set in a the future when space travel is common place) I was able to let myself enjoy this little romp.
A note to teachers - Chapter 2 has some amazing opportunities to teach context clues. The reader must figure out what the characters mean when referencing "autodrive", "terraforming", "drive-dropper", "fingerbulbs" and the "viserator". It would be a hoot of an activity, and a great way to introduce the book and build interest.
The story lacks depth, but it's a fun read.
A note to teachers - Chapter 2 has some amazing opportunities to teach context clues. The reader must figure out what the characters mean when referencing "autodrive", "terraforming", "drive-dropper", "fingerbulbs" and the "viserator". It would be a hoot of an activity, and a great way to introduce the book and build interest.
The story lacks depth, but it's a fun read.
September 20, 2011
My 9 year old and I read this book together and we both loved it! In his words: "This...book...is...AMAZING!" It started off a little slow but quickly picked up pace. As a grown-up I would have appreciated a little more flushing out of the plot but I think that might have been superfluous for the intended age group. Overall it was an excellent book. An intriguing mystery with colorful characters, well executed. Just darn good writing. And lots of fun to read out loud! We're looking forward to more from K.A. Holt!
May 18, 2013
I can see kids liking this book because of how the characters interact and use name calling and slang. Mike is living in a futuristic time and is heading to Mars though he does not want to. On the ship he meets Larc and together they have a mystery to solve. Through it all he stays in contact with Stinky, has to deal with his evil teacher Mrs. Halebopp, and try to figure out where his sister disappeared to back on Earth. Something is going on aboard the ship and he is running out of time to solve it. Slow start for me, but it was entertaining.
July 8, 2013
Mike Stellar has to move to Mars because his parents work for the mission planning to colonize the red planet. When the first mission went wrong, everyone assumed the participants were lost in space forever. Mike thinks his trip could be a chance to save them all, and his new friend Larc wants to help. This book took some time for me to get into, but I ended up liking it despite my disinterest in science fiction. The ending felt abrupt, but I liked the characters.
-Read and reviewed by Miss Mennone
-Read and reviewed by Miss Mennone
March 17, 2010
Mike’s parents work on a project about putting settlers on Mars. The previous expedition was lost, with all travelers presumed dead. Mike comes home from school one day to find that he and his family are leaving TOMORROW on the next Mars expedition. Once on the spaceship, the adults all start acting strangely, leaving Mike and his friend Larc to figure out what’s going on and how to fix it. Straight science fiction, 4th grade and up.
April 25, 2013
The year is 2174.
One lost spaceship; a new spaceship takes off to possibly find the lost one. The problem here (at least to me) is that it is very unclear as to the purpose of the two ships, why there may be sabotage on them and why the 'bad guys' are bad.
The good part of the book are the neat gadgets and it is well-written. Just a very thin plot. Since this is a children's chapter book, the thin plot is probably ok, but still, it creates more questions then answers them.
One lost spaceship; a new spaceship takes off to possibly find the lost one. The problem here (at least to me) is that it is very unclear as to the purpose of the two ships, why there may be sabotage on them and why the 'bad guys' are bad.
The good part of the book are the neat gadgets and it is well-written. Just a very thin plot. Since this is a children's chapter book, the thin plot is probably ok, but still, it creates more questions then answers them.
March 24, 2011
I thought this book was okay. The fantasy/science fiction part was convoluted at times and I found myself confused in several spots. (This might say more about me than the story itself, natch.) It is a story to recommend to good 4th grade through 6th grade fans of science fiction, particularly boys.
December 4, 2013
Goodness! This was a painful book to get through. Hard to follow what was going on-- even harder to care. I'm totally annoyed that I owe library fines on it b/c I could barely make myself start--and then finish it. Shocking that this was chosen as one of the 10 Nutmeg nominees. They did a really bad job of it this year picking quality selections.
August 13, 2014
Dylan loved this book. It's about a really smart kid who learns he has to move to Mars... Tomorrow. And his parents are in charge of the mission. Oh and the last mission disappeared and it might have been his parents' fault. And there's this really weird annoying girl who keeps following him around. Her name is Larc.
I wasn't terribly excited to read this one, but it was a lot of fun.
I wasn't terribly excited to read this one, but it was a lot of fun.
July 20, 2009
This is fluff for kids. There's a place for it. Just like fluff for adults, it goes by quickly and then you pretty much forget about it ten minutes later. Why would they put this out in hardcover? It is not worth $15.99 - great fun for $7.99, though, if you're a ten-year-old boy.
July 14, 2013
This book was a bit slow moving in the beginning, but became much more interesting as the story progressed. It's a bit of science fiction, mystery, and adventure appropriate for middle grade readers.
August 21, 2013
At the beginning, this book seemed totally crazy to me. A trip to Mars? Moving there? What? Really? But then, as I kept reading, this new future environment began to be totally believable to me. I then could really care about the characters and enjoy the action in the story.
December 2, 2011
Read for Battle of the Books 2012.
Read
December 28, 2013Nutmeg 20014 nominee
January 7, 2014
Another nutmeg nominee .. my daughter and I are still working our way through the list. We both liked this one. It was pretty unrealistic but still enjoyable.
January 7, 2014
I liked it and it was sad how Larc died but in the end Mike's teacher brought Larc back!!!!
July 26, 2014
This book is a bit contrived and silly, but some of my students probably will like it.
November 20, 2021
Great book for sci-fi lovers
September 26, 2025
Perfectly fine kids’ sci-fi. The characters were the real draw here; the plot seemed like a secondary concern.
August 30, 2016
This Nutmeg reminds me in the beginning of Patterson's middle school series but then morphs into a sci-fi adventure. 7/10
December 13, 2009
book 83 for 2009
September 20, 2011
I rily lck this book, I think it would be a good book for childrn!!! :)
mc
mc
April 12, 2014
Fun and very different then what I would usually read.
August 22, 2013
I'd probably give this 3.5 stars, but my kids absolutely LOVED it. Must have been the sci-fi...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews