Nate Ball is not your typical children’s book author. In addition to being the host of the Emmy and Peabody Award Winning PBS reality shows Design Squad and Design Squad Nation, Ball is an MIT graduate with a Master’s Degree in mechanical engineering.
Ball has put that education to use in his Alien in My Pocket series of chapter books for kids aged 6 and up, which aim to illustrate real scientific principles while keeping readers entertained. Each book includes simple, hands-on science experiments kids can try for themselves, with a little adult supervision. The books support the Common Core standards too, which means they’re great picks for your child’s weekly or monthly assigned reading.
Alien in My Pocket #1: Blast Off! (5/5 stars, currently priced at $4.99)
The adventure begins in this exciting new chapter book series, complete with a do-it-yourself science experiment! When a four-inch-tall alien crash-lands through Zack McGee’s bedroom window, Zack is sure he’s about to become the first victim in a new War of the Worlds. But when the alien turns out to have weapons that are more ticklish than terrifying, Zack realizes that rather than protect the world from the alien it’s up to him to protect the alien in his pocket from the world.
With illustrations on every spread, a how-to on launching a rocket, fun scientific facts, and the hilarious adventures of Zack and Amp, this book is the perfect gift for any young reader!
Supports the Common Core State Standards
Alien in My Pocket #2: The Science UnFair (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $4.99)
The must-read second book in the Alien in My Pocket series. Zack and Amp are back and up to even more trouble in this hilarious story, complete with a do-it-yourself science experiment!
Ever since Amp crash-landed his spaceship through Zack McGee’s bedroom window, Zack’s life has gotten crazier and his grades have gone from bad to worse. Who has time for homework when there’s an alien invasion to stop? But now Zack’s up against his greatest challenge yet—the school science fair. If Zack doesn’t get an A on his project, he’s going to flunk the class. Luckily, Zack has Amp around to help, but when Zack’s experiment turns out to be too good, he winds up in a whole different kind of trouble.
Complete with many illustrations, a riveting plot, and fun scientific facts, this book is perfect for young readers!
Supports the Common Core State Standards
Alien in My Pocket #3: Radio Active (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $4.99)
This third book in the Alien in My Pocket series is the zaniest yet! Zack and Amp create a massive mishap in this hilarious story. Plus the book comes with a do-it-yourself science experiment.
Nothing’s been easy since Amp crash-landed his spaceship through Zack McGee’s bedroom window. Now Amp has built a quantum radio to alert his commanders to call off the invasion of Earth. Unfortunately, instead of contacting Erdian Central Command, Amp’s radio accidentally broadcasts Amp’s messages all over Zack’s hometown. Now it’s up to Zack and his best friend, Olivia, to save their alien friend from being discovered and to save the planet from panic.
With illustrations throughout, a page-turning plot, and fun scientific facts, this is the perfect chapter book for young readers. Supports the Common Core State Standards.
Alien in My Pocket #4: On Impact! (5/5 stars, currently priced at $4.99)
This must-read Alien in My Pocket book is the fourth in the series by Nate Ball, the host of PBS’s Design Squad and Design Squad Nation. In this hilarious new adventure, Zack and his alien friend, Amp, learn about friction, deceleration, and how to soften a crash-landing.
When Zack McGee crashes his bike, he’s stuck at home with his arm in a sling and his baseball season on the line. What’s worse, his bike crashed because his four-inch-tall houseguest, Amp, experimented on the brakes! Now Zack is easy prey for his little brother, Taylor, who’s determined to find out once and for all what mysteries Zack has hidden in his pocket.
Like every book in the Alien in My Pocket series, On Impact! mixes Common Core–aligned science and safe, hands-on experiments with a hilarious story that young readers will love.
Publishers Weekly said of Alien in My Pocket: Blast Off!: “With its screwball comedy and lively dialogue, the novel gives readers the opportunity to laugh as they learn.”
Supports the Common Core State Standards
Alien in My Pocket #5: Ohm vs. Amp (release date 5/19/15, no reviews yet, currently priced at $4.99)
Zack and Amp get a serious surprise in the fifth installment of this intergalactic chapter book series by Nate Ball, the host of PBS’s Design Squad and Design Squad Nation. Zack and his alien friend, Amp, discover that leverage can be an Earth-saving thing when they build a rocket-launching atlatl!
Zack McGee’s life has been filled with trouble since Amp, a four-inch-tall alien scout, crash-landed into Zack’s bedroom. But now it’s Amp’s turn to be in the hot seat. When his commander, Ohm, arrives to take Amp back home, the aliens feud. Amp has to get his cranky counterpart off Earth before they all end up in a world of trouble!
Like every book in the Alien in My Pocket series, Ohm vs. Amp mixes Common Core–aligned science, and safe, hands-on experiments with a hilarious story that young readers will love.
Publishers Weekly said of Alien in My Pocket: Blast Off!: “With its screwball comedy and lively dialogue, the novel gives readers the opportunity to laugh as they learn.”
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts
Alien in My Pocket #6: Forces of Nature (available for pre-order at $4.99, scheduled for release 9/1/15)
Zack and Amp get a serious surprise in Forces of Nature, the sixth installment of this fun intergalactic chapter book series by Nate Ball, the host of PBS’s Design Squad and Design Squad Nation.
Ever since Amp crash-landed his spaceship through Zack McGee’s window, Zack’s life has gone in some unexpected directions. But when everything goes wrong on the McGee family camping trip, Zack’s going to need Amp’s alien scouting skills to navigate the great outdoors and find their way back to civilization!
Like every book in the Alien in My Pocket series, Forces of Nature mixes Common Core–aligned science with safe, hands-on experiments that young readers will love. This installment includes a build-your-own compass experiment.
Publishers Weekly said of Alien in My Pocket: Blast Off!: “With its screwball comedy and lively dialogue, the novel gives readers the opportunity to laugh as they learn.”
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