Elevators

August 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-Light, almost bouncy texts guide readers through the origins, development, and current use of elevators, telescopes, and the International Space Station. In all of the titles, uncluttered layouts allow for the images to take center stage, while the text runs along either the top or to the side of the pages. Students will learn why elevators first played music (to soothe riders still suspicious of the contraption) and how astronaut training includes lessons on going to the bathroom in space. In each volume, before and after reading activities for teachers or caregivers to engage their audiences with accompany the table of contents. A mix of history and science, these series titles will especially resonate with machine-loving kids.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2017
Grades 4-7 From the depths of the Hoover Dam to space stations 240 miles above Earth, the latest entries in the Engineering Wonders series examine human-made marvels. Fusing vibrant full-page photos and educational diagrams with info-packed text, each installment explores an invention's origin, evolution, modern-day applications, and future. Elevators documents the pulleys and stone cylinders of ancient civilizations, Elisha Otis' 1854 steam-powered breakthrough, and the computer-controlled creations of today. Maurer also stresses the role of the elevator in legendary landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building. Complete with glossaries, reading-comprehension questions, online resources, andin Elevators and International Space Stationtime lines, these comprehensive titles are a stellar resource for space-crazy or engineering-inclined middle-grade readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)