Observatory Director

April 1, 2015

Gr 4-6-Each book in this useful set on STEAM-related careers begins with a fictional example of a child connecting with the topic at hand. In Medical Illustrator, a boy is fascinated by illustrations of the circulatory system, and his father explains that medical illustrators are responsible for these drawings. The books then focus on the history of the field, detail what individuals do in the course of their jobs, and describe the necessary skills and abilities. Some texts get bogged down with information on history at the start. However, books concerning newer jobs, such as Hazmat workers, jump into dynamic material more quickly. The first few pages of Petroleum Engineer depict only women, which promotes gender equality in this typically male-dominated field. Students will enjoy learning about unexpected aspects of each profession; for instance, some medical illustrators draw dinosaurs and design prosthetic eyes. Each book is thorough, well-researched, and cleanly designed. Students may wish to skip slower parts but will find a wealth of information. VERDICT A strong series that illuminates lesser-known fields.

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