Earth-Friendly Buildings, Bridges and More

Gr 3–6—Kaner looks at skyscrapers, bridges, tunnels, domes, dams, dikes, and locks and talks about them in the voice of a fictional 12-year-old girl, the daughter of engineers. Corry Lapont characterizes her "eco-journal" as a project inspired by her postcard collection and her parents' insistence that she record what she is learning while she travels with them on their various jobs around the globe. Kaner's experience and her reliance on architectural and engineering professionals are obvious in her descriptions of structures and marvels that are effective despite their simplicity. Numerous cartoonlike illustrations show Corry and her brother and illuminate various engineering concepts and projects. Dialogue balloons add extra tidbits to the journal entries, and bright yellow insets list accompanying activities. The eco-friendly emphasis promotes marvels like geothermal energy, bridges built of recycled plastic, domes, and buildings that capitalize on recycled water and sunlight. Descriptions of the various professionals involved in the planning and construction of a skyscraper or bridge are especially enlightening. The explanations and presentation are kid-friendly, so the book might inspire youngsters to consider some of the careers that Corry identifies.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library