Self-Driving Cars

July 1, 2018

Gr 6-9-A title right out of recent news feeds. Fallon begins with a thorough study of the automobile's technological invention and innovation and how it captivated and changed U.S. society. Following this in-depth history lesson is an examination of the inception of the self-driving car. The author clearly describes today's most current technology, including its positive and negative features, and recognizes how the self-driving car may fundamentally change our society. The science is explained in an understandable and simplistic style that will allow readers to come away with a working technological knowledge. The information is also even-handed so that readers can assess the most current news-accidents surrounding the test run of these vehicles-and the unanswered question: Will drivers embrace this innovation? Even those who are not tech enthusiasts will find something of interest to learn and contemplate. The text is accessible for a variety of reading levels and is further enhanced by engaging text features and graphics. VERDICT A high-interest topic for large middle school libraries.-Patricia Feriano, Montgomery County Public Schools, MD

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2018
An abbreviated history of the self-driving car industry from its past to its uncertain future. Beginning with the late 19th century, Fallon (Dodgerland, 2016, etc.) constructs a linear account of automobile development, starting as early as 1478 with depictions of a self-propelled cart imagined by Leonardo da Vinci and going up through recent self-driving Google, Tesla, and Mercedes-Benz concept cars. An introduction and five short chapters cover the first self-propelled vehicles, with steam engines from the 1770s, the rise of American consumer car culture, and the inner workings of self-driving technology and the potential benefits of and obstacles to implementing it in practice. With many references to research studies scattered throughout, the book is generously illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs, maps, diagrams, etc. Isolated text boxes offer additional information. However, the book lacks a strong narrative, and Fallon fails to maintain a neutral tone; some chapters read like advertisements for certain car manufacturers. The subject is timely and interesting, but the prose unfortunately does not render the material noteworthy. The text also fails to address questions surrounding the ethical and social implications of self-driving vehicles and the potential hazards of the advancement of artificial intelligence.Discerning readers may want to wait for a more comprehensive and compelling book on this subject. (timeline, source notes, glossary, selected bibliography, further information, index) (Nonfiction. 13-18)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.