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.

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.

Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe illustrated by S.D. Schindler*

 A bear ate the abbey's copy of St. Augustine's letters while in Brother Hugo's possession. The consequence? Brother Hugo must copy it during Lent. Readers will be immersed in the process of book-making during the 12th century as they enjoy a delightful, humorous story. Based on notes found in a 12th century manuscript. A helpful historical note and a glossary are included. The illustrations are exquiste.

*Highly recommend.

-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.

Leonardo's Horse by Jean Fritz illustrated by Hudson Talbott*

I read this book aloud to my boys to support our study of Leonardo da Vinci.
Not only does this book tell the reader about Leonardo da Vinci and his efforts to construct a horse for the duke of Milan, it also shares how an American, Charles Dent, attempted to reconstruct it for a gift to the Italians.  Unfortunately, Charles died before his version was completed.  A sculptor Nina Akamu finally was able to bless Italy with the twenty-four -foot horse.
Steps are included how the horse transformed from a clay figure to a bronze figure.
Amazing illustrations.  The book is shaped like a dome (The one from the library was shaped this way.). 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Mosque by David Macaulay

My eleven year old read this book to himself as we studied the beginnings and spreading of Islam. 
He struggled a bit comprehending it well since there were a lot of building and Islamic terms he did not have in his schema. 
Readers witness the steps in building a mosque and how carefully planned the construction was.  As always, Mr. Macaulay writes a thorough, technical piece,  which will enlighten and educate its readers. 
-Borrowed from the library.

The Empress and the Silkworm by Lily Toy Hong

Ms. Hong shares the legend how the empress Si Ling-Chi realized how the cocoon from the silkworm can be unwound and utilized as thread to create silk.
Engagingly written.
I read this book aloud to support our study of Ancient China.
-Borrowed from the library.

A Place I Called Home, The Gruber Wagon Works by Beth L. Hartman illustrated by Mallory L. Ketterer*

Beth Hartman, a local author and former teacher,  wrote from her father-in-law's perspective about spending summers at the family's wagon manufacturing business.  The story begins when Eddie, the narrator, is touring the Wagon Works after it has been moved to be featured as a museum.  As he tours the Wagon Works, he reminisces about his summers helping out his different uncles who worked there.
I like how the illustrations include the transportation of the museum too.  The illustrations are also intricate and depict the Wagon Works and local area well.
I love the end pages . . .very sturdy and brown-made me feel like I was going back in time as I opened the book.
A must read before touring this museum and during any unit when learning about early manufacturing.
Strategy: check for understanding (the narrator switches between the time when he was a boy and then in the current plot so it will require the reader to think and monitor understanding.)
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book (I know the author! 😁)


Link to newspaper article about it: http://321-rewebvarnish.newscyclecloud.com/berks-country/article/a-new-childrens-book-tells-a-personal-story-about-the-gruber-wagon-works

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.

A Dollar Bill's Journey by Suzanne Slade illustrated by Susan Swan*

One day recently my five year old asked how money is made . . .this book provided the answer.
The dollar bill in the story has an eye and makes comical comments.
Explained well.  At the end is a diagram of the dollar bill's journey.
Text features: diagrams, fact boxes, glossary, "learn more" , index
Follow It series (other titles-Germ's Journey, Plastic Bottle's Journey, A Raindrop's Journey)
*Highly recommend.

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.

Balloon Trees by Danna Smith illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein

For kids who love balloons this will be an interesting book!  It starts in a forest of rubber trees where latex is tapped and continues to the factory where they are made.
I found it fascinating!
In the back the author has more information about rubber, a little quiz-like, a sequencing page, and a true or false page.
Wish the map on the information page was bigger-difficult to read the words/map key.