(3) 4-6 Engineering That Made America series. This series takes an in-depth look at the history, conception, and practical application of key engineering feats and inventions. Each volume thoughtfully breaks down events and inspiration that led up to each invention, as well as its evolution and impact over the years. Archival photos break up the narratives. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Engineering That Made America titles: The Invention of the Assembly Line, The Invention of the Airplane, The Invention of the Transistor, and The Building of the Hoover Dam.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Zoom In on Incredible Inventors series. Providing the most basic information about these inventors' lives and legacies, these six Common Core Standard–aligned books may be useful to report-writing new readers. However, the simplified texts often raise more questions than answers, and some of the photos, paintings, and drawings could use captions or labels for clarity. Lists of quick stats and key dates are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Zoom In on Incredible Inventors titles: Alexander Graham Bell, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Henry Ford, Thomas A. Edison, and The Wright Brothers.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Super SandCastle: Amazing Inventors & Innovators series. Seven innovative thinkers and their history-making inventions are introduced in uncomplicated biographies for early readers. Each slim overview provides a cursory outline of the subject's life in ample archival photos illuminated by large-print text. A final question closes the gap between history and the present in each volume: "Who do you talk to on the telephone?" "What do you like to take pictures of?" Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Amazing Inventors & Innovators titles: Alexander Graham Bell, George Eastman, Henry Ford, Samuel Morse, Thomas Edison, and The Wright Brothers.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Super SandCastle: Amazing Super Simple Inventions series. Each collection of activities explores the engineering principles and design features of historically important technological innovations in transportation, communication, and imaging. After background information about each invention, its principal innovator, and a timeline of development, readers can follow clear directions (illustrated with photos) to create their own prototypes from common items--a string phone and a balloon-powered car, for instance. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Amazing Super Simple Inventions titles: Super Simple Aircraft Projects, Super Simple Automobile Projects, Super Simple Camera Projects, Super Simple Phonograph Projects, Super Simple Telegraph Projects, and Super Simple Telephone Projects.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. Two boys who "just had to see how things worked" grow into two of America's great inventors and manufacturers: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. When Henry, frustrated by repeated failure, meets Thomas, he gets simple yet critical advice: "Keep at it." A lively tale of tenacity and passion, illustrated with watercolor and pencil-and-ink illustrations that reflect the text's energy and high spirits. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(2) 4-6 Mitchell's brief, engaging text appraises its subject, placing him in the context of his times. Ford's contradictions make him even more fascinating; e.g., he hired disabled and minority workers but was fiercely anti-Semitic. Although this type of complexity begs for an extended treatment, Mitchell's succinct introduction successfully whets readers' appetites. The book's inviting design features an array of photographs, captions, and quotes. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2010

(4) YA Essential Lives series. Nicely laid-out and easy to read, these informative, if bland, biographies provide historical context as well as personal information about their subjects. Many sidebars, pull-quotes, and photographs enhance the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Lives titles: Rachel Carson, Frederick Douglass, Cesar Chavez, and Henry Ford.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Inventors Who Changed the World series. This series provides a basic overview of each subject's life and career, including successes as well as mistakes and controversies. The series's design features well-reproduced archival photos and distracting, cluttered screen shots. Some less motivated readers will appreciate the publisher's enhanced website. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inventors Who Changed the World titles: Thomas Edison, Wilbur and Orville Wright, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Henry Ford.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 Built for Success series. Bell traces the histories of two American corporations from their origins (pharmacist John Pemberton's Coca-Cola formula, Henry Ford's Quadricycle) through the present. The books explain how these businesses achieved global success and acknowledge both their philanthropic activities and missteps (e.g., new Coke). Photos of Ford autos and reproductions of Coke ad campaigns increase appeal. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Built for Success titles: The Story of Coca-Cola and The Story of Ford.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Heinemann Profiles series. These standard-issue biographies feature an easy-to-read text, captioned photos, quotations by and about the subject, and rather busy layouts. Occasionally the text is misleading, but overall the facts are presented in a fairly balanced manner. Depending on the subject, a time line, a list of films, or a list of recordings is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Heinemann Profiles titles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Henry Ford, Elvis Presley, George Lucas.]

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee