(1) YA Illustrated by Nick Bertozzi. Sheinkin's work of award-winning narrative nonfiction (Bomb, rev. 11/12) is here sharpened by the author's own graphic adaptation--and portrayed through Bertozzi's skillful cartooning--amplifying the drama, intrigue, and brutality irrevocably linked with the dawn of the atomic age. In five chapters, roughly spanning the years of WWII, Sheinkin cogently interconnects a massive cast of world leaders, scientists, military personnel, spies, and civilians across a mostly chronological account of the Manhattan Project. Unique for this new edition, Sheinkin chose the post-war interrogation of Harry Gold (a Philadelphia factory worker who spied for the Soviets) as the narrative's through line. This clever bit of storytelling permits the omniscient narrator to seamlessly move between key events as they are discussed during Gold's hardboiled questioning. The Golden Age-style illustrations generally adhere to an efficient three-tier, nine-panel page layout yet regularly shift in size, shape, and number to underscore significant moments and ideas. Notably, a stark white page is used to depict the detonation of the Little Boy atomic bomb over Hiroshima. Back matter includes an author's note describing Sheinkin's adaptation process, while an informative epilogue ends on a slightly more ominous note than the original: "How does this story end? We don't know--because it's still going on. And, like it or not, you're in it."

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Jeanette Winter. A "quiet little boys' school" in New Mexico transforms into a "secret location which has no name" where scientists work on the code-named "Gadget." The palette grows more ominous until the pictures spectacularly erupt in both size and color for the detonation. An author's note supplies more information about the Manhattan Project, but the text itself, concise and thorough, stands on its own. Reading list.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(4) 4-6 Stories in American History series. This book chronicles the construction of the first atomic bomb from its inception to the final detonation over Nagasaki, Japan. Gonzales relates how secret operations were successfully undertaken with vital components simultaneously developed in Manhattan, Tennessee, Washington State, and Los Alamos. The informative narrative is accompanied by photographs (which vary in relevance), drawings, and maps. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA World Transformed series. With an emphasis on how history has been transformed by their subjects, these straightforward and engrossing texts incorporate anecdotes and quotations, bright design elements, archival photographs, and plenty of sidebars. Oil ranges from the first-known use of oil to present-day environmental concerns, while Atomic proceeds from the Manhattan Project to present-day nuclear threats and international treaties. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these World Transformed titles: The Story of Oil and The Story of the Atomic Bomb.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) 4-6 What in the World? series. This book sets the scene during World War II, then focuses on atomic bomb developer Robert Oppenheimer. The many photographs and sidebars include tangential material that, intended to provide historical perspective, often diffuses focus (e.g., a full-page illustration explaining how the creators of Curious George escaped Europe during the war, but not its relevance). Small type is difficult to read. Timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(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) YA This detailed work gives a history of America's first atomic weapons. Sullivan explores such topics as the people, science, and reasons behind the weapons' development, the controversies surrounding their production, and decisions made regarding their use. Historical photographs and quotations from people directly involved and affected get at the personal stories behind this time in history. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. Each book in this series gives a brief overview of an event that had a lasting and profound effect on U.S. history. The books vary in quality--some more informative and interesting than others--but all are sketchy, lacking in detail. Sidebars, boxed quotes, photographs, and drawings enhance the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Events That Shaped America titles: The Atom Bomb Project, The Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention, The Writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner", The Oregon Trail, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Scottsboro Case.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 In this well-crafted first novel, Hazel and her parents live in Los Alamos, New Mexico, because of her father's work on the Manhattan Project, where security precautions and hastily transferred lives are described in convincing detail. Her mother's pacifism and her friends' exploits with amateur radio and other risks complicate Hazel's emerging ethos; though her family returns home to New Jersey in the end, they'll never be the same.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. The books in this series introduce the lives and accomplishments of their subjects. Fleming's penicillin discovery resulted from lucky coincidence coupled with hard work, Goddard's liquid rocket engine was a lifelong dream, Teller's insistence on defensive armaments is still debated, and McClintock's jumping genes are lively topics of research. A time line and black-and-white photos supplement the text. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Unlocking the Secrets of Science titles: Alexander Fleming, Edward Teller and the Development of the Hydrogen Bomb, Robert Goddard and the Liquid Rocket Engine, Barbara McClintock.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Living at Los Alamos in 1945, Stephen is intrigued by the secret work his scientist father is doing for the government. With his new friend Alexei, Stephen sneaks off to witness the first atomic bomb test in the desert. The novel features a fast-paced, undemanding portrait of a historically important era, though several aspects of the plot--particularly one involving a spy ring--remain underdeveloped.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 In American History series. Seven important chapters in American history are recounted in volumes that identify participants, discuss the prevailing political and public opinions of each era, and outline its historical legacy. The books are clearly written though incomplete in some aspects; selections from historic documents or primary sources are included in boxed sections. The volumes' black-and-white photos are often too dark. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA A straightforward narrative traces the development of the nuclear bomb--explaining scientific methodology, profiling the government agencies and scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, and discussing the far-reaching consequences of the bomb on the modern world. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs, the clear text contains some intriguing vignettes, such as the story of a nineteen-year-old spy. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta