The Lost Package by Richard Ho illustrated by Jessica Lanan*

 A package is packed with love and care. Along the way, it flies out of the mail transport truck and lies on the city street. Will the recipient ever view its contents? 

A sweet book about traditional mail and a brief look into the postal service. 

Mr. Ho unashamedly exalts the USPS (his author's note is very interesting!).

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Secret Engineer How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge by Rachel Doughtery*

 Even though most girls during her time period rarely pursued a higher education, Emily loved science and math and was able to attend a school where these subjects were taught. She married an engineer, whose family built bridges. Soon Emily's husband is building the Brooklyn Bridge, incorporating new technology. Unfortantely, he becomes ill. Thankfully, Emily is intelligent and an eager learner. Although she does not receive credit, she is the one who oversaw the building of the Brooklyn Bridge!

An amazing story!  I liked this story so much that I requested two other picture books about her!

Kids who love to build, who want to understand how things work, and who have an engineer mindset will love this book.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Beeman by Laurie Krebs and Valeria Cis

 A simple book that delves into the different roles bees have and also the honey producing process.

A honey muffin recipe is shared at the end.

-Borrowed from the library.

Concrete From the Ground Up by Larissa Theule illustrated by Steve Light*

 A fascinating book that shares the history of concrete 

Humor is woven into the text. 

Children interested in building and how things work will love this book.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Growing Money by Gail Karlitz created by Debbie Honig illustrated by Stephen Lewis*

 Investing Guide for Kids

With humor and examples, the author and creator explain the world of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and investments to kids.  Fun quizzes and facts are integrated throughout the text.  The last chapter includes a game that simulates investing in the stock market.

This book was fun to read!  It may be a bit out-dated as it was published in 2001.  It appears that a newer version was published in 2010 (the cover of the 2010 is displayed below). 

*Highly recommend (but consider that it was published twenty years ago).

-Borrowed from the library.

Crossing on Time -Steam Engines, Fast Ships and A Journey to the New World by David Macaulay

What a masterpiece!
Mr. Macaulay's newest book is incredible.  His attention to detail and his understanding "how things work" are paramount.
He explains in detail the building of the SS United States, the fastest steamship.  Diagrams, cross sections, a six page fold out spread of the ship make this book a feast for kids who enjoy understanding the details of how things are built and work.  He also weaves in the story of his family traveling on the SS United States.
To be honest, the technical details were a bit over my head and not of interest to me . . .but I was still impressed with Mr. Macaulay's research and his ability to communicate complicated concepts concisely and clearly.  I really enjoyed learning about his family journey to the United States.
-Borrowed from the library.

From the Good Mountain by James Rumford*

How Gutenberg Changed the World
The illustrations are exquisite!  The illuminated letters and the illustrated borders add to the beauty.  Questions lead the reader to the next page and next step in the book making process.
The epilogue offers more details about Gutenberg.
My nine year old read this book to himself to support our study of Gutenberg.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Johann Gutenberg and the Amazing Printing Press by Bruce Koscielniak*

Not only does this book share about Gutenberg and how he designed the different printing process, but it also explains the history of book making and the arduous process it was.
I read this book aloud to my boys to support our study of Gutenberg.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via Inter-Lib. loan (My county does not own it.)

Rome In Spectacular Cross-Section by Andrew Solway illustrated by Stephen Biesty*

Intricate drawings display various buildings and structures in Rome during A.D. 128.
The reader follows Titus and his father Marcus around Rome and enter the Temple of Jupiter, the Forum, the Colosseum, the Baths of Trajan, the Circus Maximus and Titus' house. 
Tons of facts and many interesting details to be found in the illustrations.
I read bits of this book to my boys over a few days to support our study of Ancient Rome.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Pyramid by David Macaulay *

Step by step Mr. Macaulay demonstrates how the Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids.
Fascinating and well explained and illustrated.
Glossary included.
My ten year old read this as part of history unit.  He liked reading it because he likes understanding how things are built and how things work.
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.

Time for Cranberries by Lisl H. Detlefsen illustrated by Jed Henry

Sam and his parents live on a cranberry farm.  The reader experiences the cranberry harvest process with Sam.
My boys and I really studied the illustrations to understand the entire procedure.
A great book to share with children who are curious about  "how things work" and farming.
Recipes are in the back for cranberry sauce and cranberry pie.
The author shares in the "author's note" how this story is close and personal to her.
A glossary with important vocabulary used throughout the book is also included at the back of the book.
Strategies: check for understanding, asking questions, inferring

Blow It Up! by Thomas Kingsley Troupe with consulting editor Gail Saunders-Smith*

Pebble Plus
"Destruction"
How unsafe buildings are demolished using explosives.
Text features: table of contents, headings, onomatopoeia, glossary, read more, index
Guided Reading Level: H
*Highly recommend.

Crush It! by Thomas Kingsley Troupe with consulting Editor Gail Saunders-Smith*

Pebble Plus
"Destruction"
How cars and trucks are demolished for recycling.
Onomatopoeia.
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: H

Shred It! by Thomas Kingsley Troupe with consulting editor-Gail Saunders-Smith*

Pebble Plus
Shows the process of recycling rubber tires and plastic.
Text features: table of contents, headings, onomatopoeia, glossary, read more, index
Guided Reading Level: H
*Highly recommend.

Toilet How It Works by David Macaulay *

This amazing author and illustrator is now creating books for younger readers to enjoy!  
*Highly recommend.
Watch out for more in series "How It Works" : Castle,  Jet Plane, and Eye.
Level 4  -My Readers
Text structures: diagrams, labels, cross sections, close ups, "words to know"-glossary, "learn more" section, and index.