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NERDS #1
NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society
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!
Meet the NERDS, a team of eleven-year-old super
Duncan “Gluestick” He’s a paste-eater who can stick to walls.
Ruby “Pufferfish” Her allergies help her detect danger and dishonesty.
Heathcliff “Choppers” He controls minds with his buckteeth.
Julio “Flinch” His hyperactivity gives him super speed and strength.
Matilda “Wheezer” Her inhalers enable her to fly and blast enemies.
Jackson “Braceface” Jones, the new recruit. This metal mouth is the team’s go-to gadget guy . . . if only he can get over becoming a NERD.
Can this team of misfits save the world from their secret headquarters in the basement of their school? Can you read NERDS without laughing? Go ahead and try!<!--? prefix = o ns = "" /-->
Meet the NERDS, a team of eleven-year-old super
Duncan “Gluestick” He’s a paste-eater who can stick to walls.
Ruby “Pufferfish” Her allergies help her detect danger and dishonesty.
Heathcliff “Choppers” He controls minds with his buckteeth.
Julio “Flinch” His hyperactivity gives him super speed and strength.
Matilda “Wheezer” Her inhalers enable her to fly and blast enemies.
Jackson “Braceface” Jones, the new recruit. This metal mouth is the team’s go-to gadget guy . . . if only he can get over becoming a NERD.
Can this team of misfits save the world from their secret headquarters in the basement of their school? Can you read NERDS without laughing? Go ahead and try!<!--? prefix = o ns = "" /-->
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
871 people are currently reading
4008 people want to read
About the author
Michael Buckley
84 books1,931 followersNew 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.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 734 reviews
December 29, 2014
"That's your problem, Braceface. You judge others by what they look like. You've spent your life putting people into little categories-nerd, geek, athlete, cheerleader, weakling-and you can't imagine they might be more than what you think. People are always more than what they appear."
-Matilda (a.k.a. Wheezer)
Jackson Jones rules elementary school. He's the star of the football team, receives decent grades, has a high popularity status, and a group of his own to call his friends. He spends his days frequently on the field and playing pranks and raids on the nerds of his school. However, this all changes with a single dentist visit. He is told that he will now need braces due to the recent discovery of the abnormal amount of teeth that his mouth is harboring. Wearing awkward braces is not what cool people do, it's what "nerds" have. Forced to wear estranged headgear mounted on his face, he is quickly shunned by his peers and those so called friends he used to hang out with. He's now the object of his past associates' pranks, turning his life around in a complete 360 manner. Jackson's grades quickly drop, and all he does is "spy" to see all of the ins and outs of everyone at his elementary school, students and teachers alike.
When his snooping leads him to a group of students that abnormally sneeze at the same time, prompting the five to leave their class in a timely fashion, he finds himself in an awkward situation. After chasing them down the school's hallway, Jackson hides in a locker when the principal comes walking his way. He can't afford to get in trouble for cutting class. It's at this time that he falls through the floor of the locker, taking him beneath the school, thanks to an elaborate system built by a group unbeknownst to him. It's at the end of this journey that Jones finds himself in a lab-like area, surrounded by scientists working on countless inventions. When he's spotted, he quickly runs into a room that locks behind him. At this time, people are trying to break down the door to get to the intruder, Jackson, while he is being assessed by some type of computer that's located in the room. Finding his weakness, his headgear, the computer system gives him the code name "Braceface." Jackson Jones has no idea what is going on, but he soon passes out in this same room. When he awakens, he has powers.
Jackson is in the secret headquarters of the super secret spy group, N.E.R.D.S. (National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society). It consists of a group of five eleven year old boys and girls who save the world on a weekly basis. No adults suspect children to be more than what they are, little kids who have no idea what's going on around them. This is what makes N.E.R.D.S. the ideal spy unit, a group of unsuspecting people who are tech savvy. Using special technology, these eleven-year-old students are able to utilize their biggest weaknesses as a formidable weapons. This is what happened to Jackson. He can now use his braces in strange new ways by imagining what he wants them to turn into and then using them to protect himself and fight enemies in their new form.
The former jock decides to join the team of N.E.R.D.S which consists of Ruby ("Pufferfish) who is allergic to countless emotions, actions, and foods, allowing her to be, in a sense, psychic, Matilda ("Wheezer"), a fierce girl with asthma who can use her inhalers to fly and blast people back or create gaping holes, Duncan ("Gluestick") a sweet boy who devours large amounts of glue, allowing him to stick to walls and surfaces with his own paste, Heathcliff ("Choppers") a young lad with abnormally large teeth that can hypnotize people, and Julio ("Flinch"), an extremely hyperactive person that can gather all of the sugar he eats through a harness that gives him the abilities of super strength and high speeds.
Jackson must train with all five of his eleven-year-old teammates so that he may become the best of the best, all while trying to observe their missions and make those he formally bullied turn to him as a friend. This is no easy task for any person, but Jackson Jones must do it before he is kicked off the team for good. Their current missions are to stop whoever or whatever is creating the current world crisis: the moving of the seven continents over great distances. Somehow, the land formations are being made to form what was once Pangaea. When the landmasses come together, they create giant disasters, killing countless people in the process. Will Jackson, a.k.a. Braceface, be able to be the hero he wants people to see, or will he fall short and be the bully he's been recently known to be?
Countless middle graders will love this book and the rest of its companions in the series! It was fun, humorous, full of adventure, and an overall good read. There were two aspects that I really enjoyed in this book. The first one was how the six main children in this book were all unique and diverse. This created a great multicultural arrangement and an unforgettable ride for the reader. The second reason then tied into a theme that struck me multiple times while reading Buckley's excellent book: It's okay to be different. I think that this is a great message that so many people and children need to read more of. Sure, the bullying in this book was brief, but it was well addressed. When Jackson hurt Duncan, Ruby, Heathcliff, Julio, and Matilda, they were just some nerds who blended in with all of the rest of his school. However, when he spent time with them, he noticed that what made them nerds was unique to their personalities yet it also didn't define them. People are so much more than what they seem. This was what he learned after joining N.E.R.D.S. Jackson also learned that he didn't need to be a bully to be cool or to attract real friends. He just needed to be Jackson Jones.
Teamwork was also important in Buckley's book. When the gang was fighting or not listening to what the rest were saying and/or doing, things went badly. They had to notice what everyone was doing to work like a well-oiled machine. The descriptions were done well, the plot wonderfully executed, and the writing was excellent! What was really cool about the book was how it was illustrated. It almost had the feel of a comic book but one geared toward middle graders. Of course, this was not what it was, it's indeed a full length novel. Buckley also threw in multiple changes in perspective. He went from the N.E.R.D.S. characters to the mysterious and crazy, villain. Full of intrigue and mystery, the ending contained a great twist that left you wanting the next installment. I recommend that all middle grade students read this. It's definitely worth it.
You can see reviews like this one and more at http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.com/.
(http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.c...)
-Matilda (a.k.a. Wheezer)
Jackson Jones rules elementary school. He's the star of the football team, receives decent grades, has a high popularity status, and a group of his own to call his friends. He spends his days frequently on the field and playing pranks and raids on the nerds of his school. However, this all changes with a single dentist visit. He is told that he will now need braces due to the recent discovery of the abnormal amount of teeth that his mouth is harboring. Wearing awkward braces is not what cool people do, it's what "nerds" have. Forced to wear estranged headgear mounted on his face, he is quickly shunned by his peers and those so called friends he used to hang out with. He's now the object of his past associates' pranks, turning his life around in a complete 360 manner. Jackson's grades quickly drop, and all he does is "spy" to see all of the ins and outs of everyone at his elementary school, students and teachers alike.
When his snooping leads him to a group of students that abnormally sneeze at the same time, prompting the five to leave their class in a timely fashion, he finds himself in an awkward situation. After chasing them down the school's hallway, Jackson hides in a locker when the principal comes walking his way. He can't afford to get in trouble for cutting class. It's at this time that he falls through the floor of the locker, taking him beneath the school, thanks to an elaborate system built by a group unbeknownst to him. It's at the end of this journey that Jones finds himself in a lab-like area, surrounded by scientists working on countless inventions. When he's spotted, he quickly runs into a room that locks behind him. At this time, people are trying to break down the door to get to the intruder, Jackson, while he is being assessed by some type of computer that's located in the room. Finding his weakness, his headgear, the computer system gives him the code name "Braceface." Jackson Jones has no idea what is going on, but he soon passes out in this same room. When he awakens, he has powers.
Jackson is in the secret headquarters of the super secret spy group, N.E.R.D.S. (National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society). It consists of a group of five eleven year old boys and girls who save the world on a weekly basis. No adults suspect children to be more than what they are, little kids who have no idea what's going on around them. This is what makes N.E.R.D.S. the ideal spy unit, a group of unsuspecting people who are tech savvy. Using special technology, these eleven-year-old students are able to utilize their biggest weaknesses as a formidable weapons. This is what happened to Jackson. He can now use his braces in strange new ways by imagining what he wants them to turn into and then using them to protect himself and fight enemies in their new form.
The former jock decides to join the team of N.E.R.D.S which consists of Ruby ("Pufferfish) who is allergic to countless emotions, actions, and foods, allowing her to be, in a sense, psychic, Matilda ("Wheezer"), a fierce girl with asthma who can use her inhalers to fly and blast people back or create gaping holes, Duncan ("Gluestick") a sweet boy who devours large amounts of glue, allowing him to stick to walls and surfaces with his own paste, Heathcliff ("Choppers") a young lad with abnormally large teeth that can hypnotize people, and Julio ("Flinch"), an extremely hyperactive person that can gather all of the sugar he eats through a harness that gives him the abilities of super strength and high speeds.
Jackson must train with all five of his eleven-year-old teammates so that he may become the best of the best, all while trying to observe their missions and make those he formally bullied turn to him as a friend. This is no easy task for any person, but Jackson Jones must do it before he is kicked off the team for good. Their current missions are to stop whoever or whatever is creating the current world crisis: the moving of the seven continents over great distances. Somehow, the land formations are being made to form what was once Pangaea. When the landmasses come together, they create giant disasters, killing countless people in the process. Will Jackson, a.k.a. Braceface, be able to be the hero he wants people to see, or will he fall short and be the bully he's been recently known to be?
Countless middle graders will love this book and the rest of its companions in the series! It was fun, humorous, full of adventure, and an overall good read. There were two aspects that I really enjoyed in this book. The first one was how the six main children in this book were all unique and diverse. This created a great multicultural arrangement and an unforgettable ride for the reader. The second reason then tied into a theme that struck me multiple times while reading Buckley's excellent book: It's okay to be different. I think that this is a great message that so many people and children need to read more of. Sure, the bullying in this book was brief, but it was well addressed. When Jackson hurt Duncan, Ruby, Heathcliff, Julio, and Matilda, they were just some nerds who blended in with all of the rest of his school. However, when he spent time with them, he noticed that what made them nerds was unique to their personalities yet it also didn't define them. People are so much more than what they seem. This was what he learned after joining N.E.R.D.S. Jackson also learned that he didn't need to be a bully to be cool or to attract real friends. He just needed to be Jackson Jones.
Teamwork was also important in Buckley's book. When the gang was fighting or not listening to what the rest were saying and/or doing, things went badly. They had to notice what everyone was doing to work like a well-oiled machine. The descriptions were done well, the plot wonderfully executed, and the writing was excellent! What was really cool about the book was how it was illustrated. It almost had the feel of a comic book but one geared toward middle graders. Of course, this was not what it was, it's indeed a full length novel. Buckley also threw in multiple changes in perspective. He went from the N.E.R.D.S. characters to the mysterious and crazy, villain. Full of intrigue and mystery, the ending contained a great twist that left you wanting the next installment. I recommend that all middle grade students read this. It's definitely worth it.
You can see reviews like this one and more at http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.com/.
(http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.c...)
December 13, 2010
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 nerds. But when they become part of the spy agency, then their problems get upgraded and they are all given code names. My favorite one is a guy named Gluestick. He eats paste, and now he can stick to walls. I also like flinch. He eats so much sugar, that now he just needs one candy bar to run as fast as a cheetah. I honestly thought this was going to be another bust of a book like Origami Yoda. But Michael Buckley writes like Anthony Horowitz in spy scenes, and like Jeff Kinney when he makes a joke.
February 17, 2010
Can Jackson Jones survive falling to the bottom of the social ladder after geting a face full of braces AND losing his spot on the football team? Well, maybe- as part of an elite, top-secret spy group... there'll be action, adventure, cool gadgets, and nerds? What to do when your curiousity sends you to the inner sanctum of a group that can save the world- by using the very "nerdiness" that causes them, in their drab elementary school lives, to be picked on and avoided? Funny, action filled, great characters. When the lockers send you to headquaters, and creamed corn hides tracking devices, THAT's a plot to hold you!
October 25, 2013
How would you like to be the star of the schools football and the most popular kid at school.
Well that was who Jackson Jones was at Nathan Hale Elementary School from N.E.R.D.S by Michael Buckley. Jackson was only friends with the popular kids from school and would bully all the other kids. Until one day he went to the dentist to get his teeth whitened and the dentist found out he had two sets of teeth and had to get a large head brace for his teeth. All of his friends stopped talking to him. So he decided to spy and find dirt on all of his old friends.
After he finds out stuff on them he gets bored with them and then starts to spy on the kids he use to bully because they always disappear randomly during class. One time he follows them and watch them go into lockers so he follows and discovers the N.E.R.D.S lab. Once discovered by the scientists he runs in a room with a large computer and it modifies his braces to a electronic brace doing whatever he can think of. Soon the N.E.R.D.S catch him and the main leader asks if he wants to join.
Once they realize that there are about 10 scientists that got kidnapped they go out to protect the last scientist they might want once they get there they go in to save the scientist but then the Hyena(bad henchman) shows up to take the scientist and beats the N.E.R.D.S to it. N.E.R.D.S then go back to regroup. They then find another lead at a guy that used to work with Jigsaw(villain) that has information on him. But the hyena shows up and destroys the documents and the guys house.
When everyone yells at Jackson telling him its his fault he quits and goes home. One day he goes to a old parking garage to find the Hyena following him and runs away but she stops him. She tells him that she can help him get Jigsaw. The next day thy show up at the secret lair but then get captured and put in jail cells. They then find a way to pick the lock and break out.
When they get out they go to stop Jigsaw but find out one of the N.E.R.D.S agents is really a secret villain and they fight to break the machine they created and Jackson dives into the machine to break it and goes home and tells his dad about his story. This is very adventurous and fun you should read it for yourself.
Well that was who Jackson Jones was at Nathan Hale Elementary School from N.E.R.D.S by Michael Buckley. Jackson was only friends with the popular kids from school and would bully all the other kids. Until one day he went to the dentist to get his teeth whitened and the dentist found out he had two sets of teeth and had to get a large head brace for his teeth. All of his friends stopped talking to him. So he decided to spy and find dirt on all of his old friends.
After he finds out stuff on them he gets bored with them and then starts to spy on the kids he use to bully because they always disappear randomly during class. One time he follows them and watch them go into lockers so he follows and discovers the N.E.R.D.S lab. Once discovered by the scientists he runs in a room with a large computer and it modifies his braces to a electronic brace doing whatever he can think of. Soon the N.E.R.D.S catch him and the main leader asks if he wants to join.
Once they realize that there are about 10 scientists that got kidnapped they go out to protect the last scientist they might want once they get there they go in to save the scientist but then the Hyena(bad henchman) shows up to take the scientist and beats the N.E.R.D.S to it. N.E.R.D.S then go back to regroup. They then find another lead at a guy that used to work with Jigsaw(villain) that has information on him. But the hyena shows up and destroys the documents and the guys house.
When everyone yells at Jackson telling him its his fault he quits and goes home. One day he goes to a old parking garage to find the Hyena following him and runs away but she stops him. She tells him that she can help him get Jigsaw. The next day thy show up at the secret lair but then get captured and put in jail cells. They then find a way to pick the lock and break out.
When they get out they go to stop Jigsaw but find out one of the N.E.R.D.S agents is really a secret villain and they fight to break the machine they created and Jackson dives into the machine to break it and goes home and tells his dad about his story. This is very adventurous and fun you should read it for yourself.
October 18, 2018
I liked this book because it was a re-read and I was able to focus on the little details.
April 12, 2014
One star for the first 2/5, three stars for the last 3/5.
It's been a while since I've got so close to just discarding a book not even halfway through but all in all, I'm glad I persevered - the last half, with less toilet humour and more plot, and with at least a couple of the characters developing some (if vague) actual characteristics beyond a description of their looks, was considerably better.
Still, even with all that, I have to go with "it was OK" rather than "liked it" as my rating. Main reasons: humour is highly subjective and the humour in this book didn't work for me, and I just cannot relate to the entire concept of "nerds" (also, I have a highly developed allergy for the word itself and loathe seeing it used anywhere, in any context).
It's been a while since I've got so close to just discarding a book not even halfway through but all in all, I'm glad I persevered - the last half, with less toilet humour and more plot, and with at least a couple of the characters developing some (if vague) actual characteristics beyond a description of their looks, was considerably better.
Still, even with all that, I have to go with "it was OK" rather than "liked it" as my rating. Main reasons: humour is highly subjective and the humour in this book didn't work for me, and I just cannot relate to the entire concept of "nerds" (also, I have a highly developed allergy for the word itself and loathe seeing it used anywhere, in any context).
January 10, 2016
It's about a boy (called Jackson), he used to be really popular, well, before he got his SUPER BRACES!!! Jackson Jones finds himself in a secret lab under the school and it's group NERDS! National Espionage, Rescue and Defence Society. Join the NERDS in their adventures to save the world from evil doctor Jigsaw and his to-be assassin, Mindy, or as she likes likes to put it 'The Hyena'. Mindy is a beautiful, 12 year old girl who's mum-when she was 7- packed up all their things and entered her into lots of beauty contest and as expected won almost all of them.
Enjoy!!!!!
Enjoy!!!!!
Want to read
March 14, 2018Received in a giant stack of youth books from a cousin who was heading off to college. DS#1 (nearly 7) read this on his own -- his first completed chapter book. (He had previously tried to read Moonraker, which inexplicably disappeared shortly after he mentioned to me that he was reading it. I need to wade through the bookshelves and make sure dicier volumes are inaccessible.) Anyway, DS#1 liked it a lot, and gives it many stars.
Read
December 9, 2011I 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 kids were both fearless, and great with tech. I definitely suggest N.E.R.D.S., ironically, the team in book one, to the school, they’re a bunch of nerds. The main character used to bully the nerds, but will he ever be accepted by the team? The main characters name is Jackson, and if he gets in to the team, his least favorite, but most accurate codename would be brace-face. Overall, I think it was a pretty good, but fun book that is like others, were kids rule. Also, I think the sequels going to be great. This book also reminds me of the show Kids Next Door (KND) on cartoon network.
Read
April 14, 2019When grade school football hero Jackson goes in for a dental appointment and gets braces, he finds his popularity in free fall and his school life drastically changed. Jackson turns to spying on friends to discover why some are popular and some are nerds and discovers that his school conceals an elite group of spies, the National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society. When he sneaks into their headquarters, he gains superhero powers and becomes a member of the N.E.R.D.S.
I enjoyed watching Jackson and his fellow spies learn from each other. Each had strengths beyond their superhero abilities, but they also had problems that had nothing to do with those abilities. Jackson learned the truth about his life as a football hero and had to face the consequences. I enjoyed the alternating chapters with the villain, who was having problems of her own. The superhero illustrations added to the book and were perfect for the story.
I was totally unprepared for the twist at the end and look forward to the next book in this series.- Lynn H.
I enjoyed watching Jackson and his fellow spies learn from each other. Each had strengths beyond their superhero abilities, but they also had problems that had nothing to do with those abilities. Jackson learned the truth about his life as a football hero and had to face the consequences. I enjoyed the alternating chapters with the villain, who was having problems of her own. The superhero illustrations added to the book and were perfect for the story.
I was totally unprepared for the twist at the end and look forward to the next book in this series.- Lynn H.
January 5, 2024
This year I said I was going to read some books from my childhood for the ✨nostalgia✨ and I am so happy that I did. The N.E.R.D.S series was a stable in my childhood, I remember dragging my mom to Barnes & Nobles every time a book was released so I can buy it and hurry up and read it just to be sad to have to wait until the next one comes out.
N.E.R.D.S is such an imaginative piece of work that really showcases themes of childhood, acceptance, and inclusion. At the time I didn't quite realize the brilliance of the author including not only these themes but so many others as well like capitalism, mental health, and grief. Oftentimes these concepts are difficult for adults to discuss and understand so it's a bold attempt by the author to include them in a children's book but it was successful nonetheless.
Feeling different as a kid can be so overwhelming because you don't know just yet that there will be a time beyond the current moment where people will love & appreciate you for your "differences" and thankfully this story showcases that for people. It certainly did for me when I was younger.
This book also convinced me that I was a secret agent and I actually tried to build a team of other agents (I successfully recruited one person).....BUT that's neither here nor there!!
N.E.R.D.S is such an imaginative piece of work that really showcases themes of childhood, acceptance, and inclusion. At the time I didn't quite realize the brilliance of the author including not only these themes but so many others as well like capitalism, mental health, and grief. Oftentimes these concepts are difficult for adults to discuss and understand so it's a bold attempt by the author to include them in a children's book but it was successful nonetheless.
Feeling different as a kid can be so overwhelming because you don't know just yet that there will be a time beyond the current moment where people will love & appreciate you for your "differences" and thankfully this story showcases that for people. It certainly did for me when I was younger.
This book also convinced me that I was a secret agent and I actually tried to build a team of other agents (I successfully recruited one person).....BUT that's neither here nor there!!
January 12, 2011
NERDS
Book 1
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you were a secret spy? Have a secret hideout underneath your school. Go on cool secret missions. Have exhausting training. Have upgrades (super powers!)! Well, read NERDS Book 1 by Michael Buckley to find out!
This book is about a really popular kid named Jackson Jones who bullies nerds. His popularity drops when he gets a pair of horrible braces! But then, he finds The Playground (the secret hideout for NERDS) by stuffing himself in his locker! And then he gets his upgrades...
My favorite part of the book is whenever a couple of chapters have passed and it is time for a spy test. I like these parts because Michael Buckley (the author) makes jokes along the way and he insults you, which is funny. For example: When Michael Buckley makes a part which involves you to rub your armpit against the page, then he tells you that he’s serious. But, in the end (after you rub your armpit against the page) he tells you that it’s the funniest thing he’s ever seen!
I think Michael Buckley wrote this book because he wants to send a message to bullies to tell them that just because nerds look wimpy, it doesn’t mean they could push them around and pick on them, because maybe they’re not what they seem to be...
I think this is a good book for people who like good jokes and for people who have big imaginations. I think that because Michael Buckley puts sections in the book which are full of jokes and because he comes up with amazing things which are not possible. I think the parts when he makes sections which are full of jokes are better than when Jackson gets suspended from school. I think this because the jokes are very funny, but when Jackson gets suspended, it is kind of sad.
I would recommend this fiction book to people who like clever jokes, people who have big imaginations, and to people who like to read fiction books. And the book he wrote, NERDS, is a fiction story (or is it?). If this is the right book for you, READ THIS BOOK! For others, it’s classified information!
Book 1
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you were a secret spy? Have a secret hideout underneath your school. Go on cool secret missions. Have exhausting training. Have upgrades (super powers!)! Well, read NERDS Book 1 by Michael Buckley to find out!
This book is about a really popular kid named Jackson Jones who bullies nerds. His popularity drops when he gets a pair of horrible braces! But then, he finds The Playground (the secret hideout for NERDS) by stuffing himself in his locker! And then he gets his upgrades...
My favorite part of the book is whenever a couple of chapters have passed and it is time for a spy test. I like these parts because Michael Buckley (the author) makes jokes along the way and he insults you, which is funny. For example: When Michael Buckley makes a part which involves you to rub your armpit against the page, then he tells you that he’s serious. But, in the end (after you rub your armpit against the page) he tells you that it’s the funniest thing he’s ever seen!
I think Michael Buckley wrote this book because he wants to send a message to bullies to tell them that just because nerds look wimpy, it doesn’t mean they could push them around and pick on them, because maybe they’re not what they seem to be...
I think this is a good book for people who like good jokes and for people who have big imaginations. I think that because Michael Buckley puts sections in the book which are full of jokes and because he comes up with amazing things which are not possible. I think the parts when he makes sections which are full of jokes are better than when Jackson gets suspended from school. I think this because the jokes are very funny, but when Jackson gets suspended, it is kind of sad.
I would recommend this fiction book to people who like clever jokes, people who have big imaginations, and to people who like to read fiction books. And the book he wrote, NERDS, is a fiction story (or is it?). If this is the right book for you, READ THIS BOOK! For others, it’s classified information!
April 5, 2011
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. Plus the protagonist wasn't really a nerd--Jackson is a popular bully jock from a line of jocks who discovers social castigation after massive dental work, braces, and headgear. He comes to regret his former ways once finally given insight into the life of outcasts, but if he's the character we're to identify with then one can only assume the book is aimed at popular bullies who need the same lesson in empathy that Jackson gets. Even then I never really felt an appreciation for intellect or other "nerd" passions, just a muddled message that making fun isn't nice.
I can see the book's appeal and will probably recommend it some, but there are better options for those readers.
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. Plus the protagonist wasn't really a nerd--Jackson is a popular bully jock from a line of jocks who discovers social castigation after massive dental work, braces, and headgear. He comes to regret his former ways once finally given insight into the life of outcasts, but if he's the character we're to identify with then one can only assume the book is aimed at popular bullies who need the same lesson in empathy that Jackson gets. Even then I never really felt an appreciation for intellect or other "nerd" passions, just a muddled message that making fun isn't nice.
I can see the book's appeal and will probably recommend it some, but there are better options for those readers.
October 2, 2016
I really loved the book N.E.R.D.S(bad acronym) by Micheal Buckley. This book is about this child named Jackson Jones, who is a bully, the most popular kid in school, who somehow stumbles in a secret spy organization. The organization is called, National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society, N.E.R.D.S. for short. Jackson must go through all his troubles at school, and braces, and befriend his fellow spies, all while he is losing his grades and popularity, and mind. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves spies and books that switch perspectives, from good to evil. I loved this book.
March 30, 2019
Jackson is a popular 5th grader when tragedy strikes-tragedy in the form of braces. He quickly sees his social status change from king of the mountain to reject in record time. Soon afterwards, Jackson stumbles upon an elite team of secret agents in his school. Amazingly, they are a bunch of the 'nerds' Jackson used to make fun of. Jackson joins their ranks as they hunt the Hyena, a master criminal with an evil plan.
I thought this was a cute, fast read. In our book club, we had good discussion regarding what it means to be popular, bullying and parent expectations. I'd say this was the kids favorite book we're read and most of them have finished the entire series.
Grade: 3/5
I thought this was a cute, fast read. In our book club, we had good discussion regarding what it means to be popular, bullying and parent expectations. I'd say this was the kids favorite book we're read and most of them have finished the entire series.
Grade: 3/5
December 4, 2015
NERDS is a very silly, very easy-to-read spy sendup aimed at young boys. It's fast and funny, and plotted like a Roger Moore-era Bond, with all of the cliques tacked onto fifth graders. It's probably not sophisticated enough for older readers, but would be a great book for reluctant readers, particularly young boys interested in action movies, comic books, and secret agents.
February 25, 2018
"Is this some kind of macho male thing?" That is the whole book. I was really disappointed in the way stereotypes -both female and school cliques- were displayed in this book. And despite the writing, which was clever and fun to read, and the art direction, which was clever and fun to look at, the overall role of women in the book left much to be desired.
September 20, 2017
This was a great book. If you like spy novels than you might want to pick this book up. The main character Jackson thought he had life easy, he was the football team as their star quarterback, he was popular. Then things took a change. This book can leave you on so many cliffhangers. It's just the best book ever.
May 8, 2019
This book is about a group of unpopular fifth graders who run a spy network from inside their school and they have a lot of exciting and fun adventures as spys. The title stands for National Espionage Rescue and Defence Society, which I found creative and i found the book pretty interesting and intreaguing
March 4, 2016
This was a great book.It had mystery, suspense and action.That is like, all you need in a book.This book made me laugh at some parts but this book is mostly an action-packed book.I would recommend this book to anybody who likes comedy and action books.
June 7, 2017
Too ridiculous for me to enjoy, and that's saying a lot. Lots of slapstick-y humor.
October 6, 2022
This book is about a kid named Jackson Jones who was a popular football player in his school. Although nobody liked him because he was a bully, his popularity started decreasing because he got braces so everybody saw him as a nerd. He then met kids that he has bullied before who he thought were nerds but then realized they were secret agents as he went through a locker to an underground spy society. There was a machine that gave him an upgrade for his braces because he became a secret agent. He and the group then tried to stop the Jigsaw Puzzle King also known as Felix Jigsaw who was trying to make a doomsday device that could move continents, killing millions and millions of people.
Although it may be low for your level if you're 5th grade and up, it's a nice book that YOU can enjoy and laugh to.
Although it may be low for your level if you're 5th grade and up, it's a nice book that YOU can enjoy and laugh to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2017
This book has adventure and plain fun. When you see that this normally outcast group you will never look at nerds the same. This whole comes to the saying 'smart is the new cool.' This book is great for young readers that are a little ahead on the reading scale because, it is quite long and middle school content. Meaning that elementary kids don't really have nerds. Each character is cleverly structured to fit the story. There are so many onomatopoeias that make the story lively and fun.The one problem is that sometimes it feels like it's listing, or blabbing on.This was a great read.
May 26, 2022
I rented this book out from the library, and lets just say that the previous kids who read this book followed its instructions to a tee. Lots of earwax and water marks (tongue saliva) on this book. Overall, I read this book when I was younger and it still hold us for me today.
August 18, 2017
BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD I LOVE THE TEACHERS LOUNGE!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2023
Este fue mi primer libro cuando tenía 13, me encantó.
July 20, 2025
This book is so nails
May 1, 2019
This was sooo cute! Why didn’t they have books like that when I was a kid? 😝
November 14, 2022
Very good book could have had more character devipment though.
November 29, 2011
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.
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.
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