by Alan Katz (Author) Chris Judge (Illustrator)
Part of a super fun middle grade series, Awesome Achievers in Technology puts the spotlight on lesser-known heroes and their contributions in tech. Everyone has heard the name Steve Jobs, but what about Nolan Bushnell--Jobs's boss before the invention of Apple, and the founder of the first major video game, Pong? Many of the most relevant figures in tech history have remained in the shadows, but not any longer! From Alan Katz's new Awesome Achievers series.
Awesome Achievers in Technology gives kids a look behind the scenes at 12 lesser-known inventors whose contributions to tech are personally relevant to their lives today. Each figure is given a traditional biography but is also subject to Katz's unique brand of silliness, with humorous elements such as imagined poems, song lyrics, and diary entries by and about the not-so-famous figure accompanying each bio.
Spot illustrations throughout add to the lighthearted and appreciative humor each figure receives. Reluctant readers and budding tech enthusiasts alike will delight in this imaginative and engaging introduction to a new series of laugh out loud biographies.
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Gr 3-7—This slight paperback outlines the achievements of 12 inventors who did not receive much attention throughout history. While not widely acknowledged, their advances in technology are commonly used today, or acted as a springboard for other leaps of ingenuity to occur. Examples include the inventors of video games (like Pong), the seat belt, the remote control, and the microwave. These contributions are discussed with short introductions about the inventor, the circumstances surrounding their inventions, and anecdotal additions from Katz such as silly poems, jokes, and drawings. The precise chapters, black-and-white illustrations, and humorous content will attract and hold the attention of readers hesitant to pick up nonfiction titles. Portions of the book invite readers to take a pop quiz, complete a maze, and review a notes section; the interactive pieces may deter some libraries from purchasing. However, the succinct and easy-to-digest format will interest readers of the "Who Was?" series and other young readers looking to amp up their nonfiction booklists. VERDICT This is a good purchase for school libraries and children's nonfiction collections with the understanding that the paperback format and consumable portions may give it a shorter shelf life than some other titles.—Mandy Simon, State Library of Ohio
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