April 1, 2015
Gr 4-7-Featuring brilliant and fascinating visionaries, this informative and inspiring series makes high intelligence and an exceptional aptitude for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects seem relevant. In addition, the authors render complicated topics clear and comprehensible. Enhanced by high-quality color photos, these well-written, up-to-date titles introduce individuals with whom many students won't be familiar. Readers with an interest in STEM will certainly want to emulate these accomplished figures, though. Students and educators will also appreciate the diverse representation. Thoughtful personal quotes about the subjects' lives and careers are included in "Tech Talk" boxes. VERDICT Highly recommended, especially where current biographies, particularly of those involved in STEM careers, are needed and requested; strong supplemental reading for science classes, too.
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 15, 2015
Grades 3-5 Their names may not be familiar, but their work is recognizable around the world. These titles in the STEM Trailblazer Bios series introduce cutting-edge engineers and scientists through accessible text and high-quality color photographs. Each biography traces the engineer's or scientist's childhood, guiding ambitions, education, and indomitable spirit that led them to succeed in a STEM career. SpaceX and Tesla Motors Engineer Elon Musk explains how the South African landed in California's Silicon Valley, sold his first start-up tech company for more than $300 million, and created SpaceX (whose spacecraft carry cargo to the International Space Station), as well as electric cars through Tesla Motors. With a focus on modern engineers and scientists, this series fills a gap in STEM collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2015
Six (three women and three men) contemporary scientists, engineers, and inventors are featured in this set that capitalizes on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics objective of today's curriculums. Superficial overviews touch on childhood, education, and the subjects' breakthrough accomplishments. A colorful, easy-to-read format features photos and "tech talk" sidebars with quotes from the "trailblazers" themselves. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.
(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)