(3) K-3 Masterminds series. Born into slavery, Carver went on to make lasting contributions to agricultural science and education; his research and crop innovations helped African American farmers survive in the early 1900s. This straightforward biography covers Carver's work and his legacy. The uncluttered page design features well-captioned color and archival black-and-white photographs that extend the information in the accessible text. A table of contents, glossary, and index give readers practice with nonfiction conventions. A reading list, websites, and a simple timeline are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Very Important People series. Illustrated by Daniel Duncan. In seven chapters geared toward third and fourth graders, Patrick discusses engineer and inventor Latimer's life and work. Born in 1848 to fugitive slaves in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Latimer's remarkable career included work for Alexander Graham Bell and (indirectly) Thomas Edison. Inviting illustrations in blue and gray tones help break up the readable text. Frequent sidebars elaborate on topics in the main text (patents, the Industrial Revolution) and introduce Lewis's contemporaries (Booker T. Washington; "Other Nineteenth-Century Inventors"). The book ends with a list of Lewis's patents, a timeline, brief bios of four modern-day African American inventors, and an extensive bibliography.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alleanna Harris. At age six, Patricia Bath (1942–2019) declared: "I want to be a doctor!" Though she faced obstacles because of her gender, race, and socioeconomic status, she succeeded, breaking boundaries in many arenas including becoming the first African American female doctor granted a medical patent. Quotes from Dr. Bath appear throughout, and colorful digital illustrations reflect her curiosity and compassion. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger. In seventeenth-century Delft, in the Netherlands, Antony van Leeuwenhoek was a cloth merchant. But he became interested in lenses and magnification and went on to create the most advanced microscopes in the world. Alexander's excellent, accessible biography gives upper-elementary chapter-book readers a feel for both the person and the historical context. Mildenberger's cartoony illustrations include intricately rendered details of the people, places, and microbes of Leeuwenhoek's world. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Hot Wheels Developer, Lincoln Logs Creator, My Little Pony Pioneer, Nerf Genius, Nintendo Innovator, and The Slime Queen.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by William Goldsmith. This creatively rendered biography-in-comics, with Muir's imagined voice as narrator, is filled with the naturalist's adventures, from his childhood in Scotland to his pioneering conservation work and formation of America's National Parks. Illustrator Goldsmith's Muir is a feisty character, portrayed in loose pencil sketches with one or two accent colors. Vibrant spreads in the chapter transitions and interludes capture the stunning landscapes in which Muir found his purpose. Timeline. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Steven Salerno. Fascinated by the natural world's many colors, Edwin Binney developed eight different colors of nontoxic crayons at his company in June 1903; they were an instant hit and are still made today. Whenever the text mentions a color, the word is set in bold for easy recognition by children. Salerno's dynamic spreads aptly burst with a variety of colors. Occasional helpful sidebars provide further explanations, particularly about the Crayola invention process. Bib.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Santat. Santa-obsessed Freddy Melcher "desperately" wants to add a selfie with Santa to his collection of Santa paraphernalia. Santat's gleeful mixed-media illustrations are in cahoots with the rollicking text, which has Freddy devising and implementing an elaborate, almost perfect plan to detain the big guy. Saint Nick's no fool, but he is still Santa, so Freddy isn't left totally defeated. "There's always next year!"

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Hot Wheels Developer, Lincoln Logs Creator, My Little Pony Pioneer, Nerf Genius, Nintendo Innovator, and The Slime Queen.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Hot Wheels Developer, Lincoln Logs Creator, My Little Pony Pioneer, Nerf Genius, Nintendo Innovator, and The Slime Queen.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 In these action- and information-packed picture books, self-proclaimed "Invention Hunters," a group of cheeky, clueless scientists, barge into a child's home to gather objects for their "Museum of Inventionology." The adults hypothesize ludicrous uses for each item, prompting the child to share nonfiction vocabulary, diagrams, historical information, and additional facts. The comics format keeps the tales moving quickly; the narratives shift back and forth between informational spreads and the scientists' wacky antics. Review covers these titles: The Invention Hunters: Discover How Electricity Works and The Invention Hunters: Discover How Machines Work.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(2) K-3 In these action- and information-packed picture books, self-proclaimed "Invention Hunters," a group of cheeky, clueless scientists, barge into a child's home to gather objects for their "Museum of Inventionology." The adults hypothesize ludicrous uses for each item, prompting the child to share nonfiction vocabulary, diagrams, historical information, and additional facts. The comics format keeps the tales moving quickly; the narratives shift back and forth between informational spreads and the scientists' wacky antics. Review covers these titles: The Invention Hunters: Discover How Electricity Works and The Invention Hunters: Discover How Machines Work.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(3) 4-6 Inside Technology series. Common, now-current technologies are competently described for general audiences, focusing on the hardware and software for each device, its personal and commercial uses, as well as related technologies such as cellular networks and artificial intelligence. Historical and future developments are also considered. "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think" features provide opportunities to practice standards-based literacy skills. There are four other spring 2019 titles in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inside Technology titles: Inside Drones, Inside Electric Cars, Inside Smartphones, and Inside 3D Printers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Valpuri Kerttula. Where did your breakfast banana come from? How are your jeans made? How does your house have electricity? Each two-page spread illuminates these and other "journeys" with numbered steps for each process. Technologies such as cellphones, the internet, and--yes--indoor plumbing are covered. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at items and systems readers may take for granted. Back matter would have increased the educational value.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ebony Glenn. The son of sharecroppers, Garrett Morgan (1877–1963) worked his way up from handyman to janitor to machinist to inventor/entrepreneur (inventions included a life-saving safety hood for firefighters and soldiers, and a traffic signal system). The book acknowledges racial discrimination he faced but focuses mainly on Morgan's intelligence, accomplishments, determination, and courage; digital illustrations in mostly sepia tones emphasize time period and setting. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 Inside Technology series. Common, now-current technologies are competently described for general audiences, focusing on the hardware and software for each device, its personal and commercial uses, as well as related technologies such as cellular networks and artificial intelligence. Historical and future developments are also considered. "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think" features provide opportunities to practice standards-based literacy skills. There are four other spring 2019 titles in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inside Technology titles: Inside Drones, Inside Electric Cars, Inside Smartphones, and Inside 3D Printers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Inside Technology series. Common, now-current technologies are competently described for general audiences, focusing on the hardware and software for each device, its personal and commercial uses, as well as related technologies such as cellular networks and artificial intelligence. Historical and future developments are also considered. "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think" features provide opportunities to practice standards-based literacy skills. There are four other spring 2019 titles in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inside Technology titles: Inside Drones, Inside Electric Cars, Inside Smartphones, and Inside 3D Printers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 In an alternate post–World War I Britain, orphan Christopher works as an engineer's assistant, building (and befriending) robot children called "mechanicals." When an accident reveals that Christopher himself is actually a mechanical, he's kidnapped for experimentation. To save him, his friends enlist the help of a reclusive inventor. Robots, magic, and frights combine in this gripping adventure, propelled by the heroes' devoted friendships.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 Inside Technology series. Common, now-current technologies are competently described for general audiences, focusing on the hardware and software for each device, its personal and commercial uses, as well as related technologies such as cellular networks and artificial intelligence. Historical and future developments are also considered. "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think" features provide opportunities to practice standards-based literacy skills. There are four other spring 2019 titles in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inside Technology titles: Inside Drones, Inside Electric Cars, Inside Smartphones, and Inside 3D Printers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(1) 4-6 Through scrupulously researched and scaffolded chapters, Macaulay traces the steam engine's development, beginning in the eighteenth century and ending with his own mid-twentieth-century immigration story. After nearly two hundred years of engineering innovation, readers learn about the record-breaking superliner SS United States that would eventually transport a young Macaulay from England to America in 1957. Expository text and technical illustrations effectively convey the ship's construction and functionality. An afterword and photographs are appended. Reading list, timeline.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019