Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor

Grandin, an animal scientist and spokeswoman for the autism community, offers a guide to two dozen projects grouped into five sections--paper, wood, levers and pulleys, objects that fly, and optical illusions--to make at home with commonly found materials. Detailed step-by-step instructions and drawings accompany each project, which include a puppet theater, a kite, a wooden sailboat, and a stereoscope. Included within each section is historical background on inventors from the past and inventions of note. A self-styled inventor, Grandin employs a clear, direct style--though her vocabulary may be somewhat advanced for the target audience. She provides humorous childhood recollections, reflections on the creative process, and thoughts on how experimentation is essential to discovery. Referencing how she was often teased as a child for being different, she advocates for intellectual diversity: "Though our brains may work in different ways, there is no limit to the kinds of contributions we can make." Grandin offers a nuanced perspective on the qualities of a successful inventor--notably, a sense of wonder and curiosity, careful observation, and the willingness to learn from mistakes. Ages 8-12. (May)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 7-10--Part personal memoir, part historic study of inventions and biography, and part DIY instructions, this book packs in a lot. The result is an account of inventions and inventors and the thinking that motivates innovation. In Grandin's introduction, she states, "My road to becoming an inventor and animal scientist began in boarding school." She goes on to offer a detailed account of her isolated childhood and eventual diagnosis of autism, which serves as a backdrop for her later achievements. The chapters are organized by invention materials and types, such as "Levers and Pulleys" and "Optical Illusions," but each chapter contains such a vast amount of information and text that it is daunting. The author first states a personal account of her interests in the topic and then explains the historical context, including inventor biographies and a concluding project. There are not a tremendous amount of organizational tools, so accessing the information piece by piece is difficult. In addition, the very specific details of each story and history, and some of the diagrams, make the intended audience hard to determine. However, scientifically minded readers will find each section informative. VERDICT Consider for libraries where maker spaces are popular.--Patricia Feriano, Montgomery County Public Schools, MD

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for Calling All Minds

* "An impassioned call to look at the world in unique ways with plenty of practical advice on how to cultivate a curious, inquiring, imaginative mind." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"After the interview we were all very moved and motivated by Temple. In the beginning, we were all intimidated and we were very nervous. But by the end, Temple made us feel like we weren't even interviewing her, but we were talking to her and having a conversation. . . . We think this is very true and should be shared with everyone. We would definitely recommend this book to people who love being creative and doing projects, but we think everyone should really read it." —Newsday

"Part personal memoir, part historic study of inventions and biography, and part DIY instructions, this book packs in a lot. The result is an account of inventions and inventors and the thinking that motivates innovation." —School Library Journal

"Mind-expanding." —Booklist

"A self-styled inventor, Grandin employs a clear, direct style. . . . Grandin offers a nuanced perspective on the qualities of a successful inventor—notably, a sense of wonder and curiosity, careful observation, and the willingness to learn from mistakes." —Publishers Weekly