SERIES THURSDAY: Awesome Achievers in Technology/Awesome Achievers in Science by Alan Katz


ABOUT THE BOOK

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.


REVIEW

The twelve short bios in this book focus on the technological contributions of some lesser known individuals.  I enjoyed reading about people such as Adam Cheyer and Dag Kittlaus who developed SIRI, Mr. Nils Bohlin who created the three-point seat belt, and Mary Anderson who invented windshield wipers.  Each short bio gives a brief description of the individual followed by information about how he/she came up with the invention or technology for which he/she is known.  After that Katz throws in some humorous commentary using everything from poetry to song lyrics to pretend letters and diary entries.  This is the kind of biography book that kids might actually pick up and enjoy on their own.  But the book wouldn't work for reports as it doesn't have any documentation and the information is very brief and incomplete.  A fun series for kids who love to collect a variety of unusual facts and stories.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Everyone has heard the names Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, but what about Michael Collins--the third brave Apollo 11 astronaut who didn't get to walk on the moon? Many of the most relevant figures in scientific history have remained in the shadows, but not any longer! From Alan Katz's new Awesome Achievers series, Awesome Achievers in Science gives kids a look behind the scenes at 12 lesser-known scientists whose contributions 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 or 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 scientists alike will delight in this imaginative and engaging continuation of a new series of laugh-out-loud biographies.


REVIEW

If only all biographies could be this entertaining.  When you combine Katz's humorous side with interesting stories about a variety of scientists you end up with a book like this one.  Twelve scientists are highlighted, most of whom are lesser known but whose work still made a major contribution to society and the world of science.  The biographies are short and get right to the point which makes them interesting but not informative enough to use in reports.  The extras that Katz provides add to the entertaining nature of the book with a variety of silly commentary provided in comics, poems, and imaginary discussions.  This is the kind of nonfiction book that it isn't hard to get students to pick up and read for enjoyment because it's short, interesting, with plenty of humor.  Just don't expect to get enough information or bibliographic information to make it useful for reports. 

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