Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown Books in Order
Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown is a 3-book series by Susan E. Hamen for ages 9–12, at a grades 5–6 reading level, with gentle to mild content (HootRated intensity 1–2 out of 5).
- Books
- 3
- By publication date
- Content intensity
- Gentle to mild
- HootRated 1–2 out of 5 · avg 1.3
Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown Reading Order
Series numbers aren't available for most Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).
| # | Title | Reading Level | Ages | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Who Invented the Light Bulb? 2018 | Level 5-6 | 9-12 | Mild |
| 2 | Who Invented the Radio? 2018 | Level 6-7 | 9-12 | Gentle |
| 3 | Who Invented the Telephone? 2018 | Level 6-7 | 9-12 | Gentle |
Content Intensity Across the Series
ConsistentContent stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.
Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown (3 books by Susan E. Hamen) lands at a grades 5–6 reading level, with average content intensity 1.3/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.
The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.
All Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown Books
Who Invented the Light Bulb?
Susan E. Hamen
Who Invented the Light Bulb?
Susan E. Hamen
Who Invented the Radio?
Susan E. Hamen
Who Invented the Radio?
Susan E. Hamen
Who Invented the Telephone?
Susan E. Hamen
Who Invented the Telephone?
Susan E. Hamen
Series Like Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown: What to Read Next
Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.
- Nonfiction-Grades 4-8 (Millbrook Press) by Rebecca E. Hirsch 5 books · Grades 5–7 · gentle to mild content
- Building on a Dream by Tamra B. Orr 5 books · Grades 5–6 · gentle content
- Fossil Files; PowerKids Press by Heather Moore Niver 4 books · Grades 5–6 · gentle content
- Capstone High-Interest Books; Mummies by Charlotte Wilcox 4 books · Grades 5–6 · gentle content
- In Focus: Dinosaurs by Camilla De la Bédoyère 4 books · Grades 5–6 · gentle content
- Exploring Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures; Exploring Dinosaurs by Susan Heinrichs Gray 6 books · Grade 5 · gentle content
Questions about the Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown series
- What reading level is the Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown series?
- Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown books are at a grades 5–6 reading level (average grade level 6), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9–12. There are 3 books in the series.
- What order should I read the Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown books?
- Series numbers aren't available for most Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Who Invented the Light Bulb? (2018); Who Invented the Radio? (2018); Who Invented the Telephone? (2018).
- What age is the Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown series appropriate for?
- HootRated recommends Alternator Books; STEM Smackdown for ages 9–12. Content is gentle to mild (HootRated intensity 1–2 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.