I. M. Pei

Gr 8 Up—Incorporating biographical information and architectural history, Rubalcaba presents a portrait of the Pritzker Prize winner, trained in the Beaux-Arts style, but profoundly influenced by modernist structures of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Early chapters focus on Pei's childhood, education, and first architectural assignments and are followed by discussions of his celebrated buildings, from the National Center for Atmospheric Research to the addition to the Louvre Museum. These latter chapters consider site and structural challenges, inspirations (from Pei's family ancestral gardens in China to Pueblo cliff dwellings), controversies, as well as the architect's approach to the projects, stamped with his "love of geometry, passion for history, and…minimalist touch." The design of Pei, which features a clean, spacious layout and attractive fonts, is worthy of its subject. Reproductions of the architect's sketches and plans are included, as well as black-and-white and color photos of people, sites, and site models, which are framed in sharp architectural lines. Much in the same vein as readers might image the "surprises" Pei built into his designs, the author often waits until the end of chapters to unveil photos of the architect's always innovative, always spectacular buildings. An illustrated time line, a list of a "few" (32) of the honors Pei has received, and other useful resources conclude the book. While libraries that own Louise Chipley Slavicek's I.M. Pei (Chelsea House, 2010) may not need an additional title on the man, this book would enhance any collection.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal