How LEDs Work

December 1, 2016
Grades 6-9 From the Connect with Electricity series, this book introduces LED technology, its history, and its many uses. One section discusses the problem (solved in the 1990s) of creating an LED bulb that would produce a white light similar to that of an incandescent bulb. This leads into a discussion of how the human eye perceives different wavelengths of light, as well as a Solve It! section asking readers to figure out how one seaside community used LED lighting to help save hatchling sea turtles. Some parts of the information-packed text may be challenging for readers without much background in science, but other sections are more accessible. Showing up well on the glossy pages, the well-captioned illustrations include many solid stock photos and several helpful diagrams. While the frequent use of LED bulbs in STEM and makerspace programming may add to the subject's appeal for middle-grade kids, the use of many multisyllabic words pushes the reading level into the high-school range. A good choice for motivated, capable readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)