Wood Shop

Gr 5-8-A co-owner of a woodworking school details the safety procedures, terminology, and tools essential for beginning woodworkers and presents 18 projects for young people seeking to develop those skills. Each example is rated for difficulty as well as the cost of materials. The book assumes that readers will have a certain amount of extra or scrap lumber. Projects range from a simple pencil holder to a full-size workbench; many of the finished products are useful items to have in a workshop. An "idea factory" section at the end of many projects shows variations, painting and decoration ideas, or alternate uses. Encouraging instructions are concise yet sufficiently detailed and pair well with the step-by-step images. Plentiful crisp color photographs depict a diverse group of tweens and young teens engaged in every aspect of woodworking, from measuring to sawing to enjoying their final creations. All in-process photos show young people wearing safety goggles and modeling proper technique. Grown-up helpers are shown (and labeled as such) in a few photographs, and there are practical notes to adults throughout. VERDICT This thoroughly appealing and empowering starter course in woodworking skills is a first purchase for libraries serving young makers.-Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library