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marigale's review against another edition
4.0
This was fun and I think the general idea of looking at things used everyday is good. The framing story is a bit stilted though.
nsusdorf's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad. A little pedantic for my tastes, but it was nice to read all the biographies. Definitely going into my classroom library.
tshrope's review against another edition
4.0
Who knew how many wonderful, essential and fun things were invented or innovated by African Americans! This book does a great job of sharing some of that information in an easy and fun way that kids and adults can easily understand. I had no idea that color graphics for PC's, 3-D movie glasses, microphones for cell phones and the ice-cream scoop were all invented by African Americans. I hope all American schools have this book in their school library. And I hope that soon all American schools actually teach American History without a political or racial bias, so our children have a true and complete understanding of our country's history.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
3.0
I have used portions of this book in class before, but had never read the story inside. The story is okay, but the stories about the historical people are the best part. The fiction in between wasn't really necessary for the book to work so I am not sure why it is there.
mariahroze's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great book that taught you about African American Inventors. However, throughout the book there was a realistic fiction story going on so younger kids could read this book and be interested. The problem with that though is this book is way too hard to read and comprehend when they talk about the inventors. This book wouldn't appeal to many people, because the story inside it is for a 2nd or 3rd grader but the information written about the inventors is for a 5th grader or higher.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings on this one. The positive - It provides a ton of great facts and information - which is good. But it almost seems that the publisher/editor/author doesn't know what direction or what audience they are trying to reach. The format is a large-size picture book with flaps (would be younger audience in my opinion). Text for facts about inventors is for older students. The story almost has a voice for younger readers but the reading level and amount of text would not be appropriate for that age audience. Would love to read some reviews from other teachers.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
A nice look at African-American inventors, using a fictional framework-- 13 year old twin brother and sister are having to help clean up their new house, and as they work with a handyman he tells them about various pioneering African-American scientists whose inventions impact their everyday lives. The narrative weaves together inventions such as the gamma electric cell, induction telegraph, light bulbs, microphones and bread machines and even the super soaker water gun. A nicely designed book, with colorful backgrounds on each page, realistic and also cartoon-style illustrations, and nifty foldout pages that contain the kids' reports for school on some of the various inventors, with funny captions and asides--the siblings have a friendly rivalry that's depicted well. Some of the writing seems a little preachy, because it's a tall order making one story out of all of these disparate inventors, but overall it's a great effect. I liked that the kids already knew some of the things the handyman was going to tell them, so they are already pretty well educated in African American history.