You Wouldn't Want to Work on the Hoover Dam!

Gr 3–5—The building of the Hoover Dam was an engineering feat that involved 21,000 people: surveyors, bosses, truck drivers, carpenters, electricians, miners, mechanics, crane operators, muckers, and the workers dangling from the canyon walls—the high-scalers. Plenty of statistics, diagrams, and trivia (including the origin of the term "hard hats"), and the usual cartoon visages of workers shown in their most hazardous duties, fill the pages in yet another humorous glance at history that addresses readers in a personal way with facts and thoughts. Ninja Warrior! looks at feudal Japan c.1550-the Warring States Period. Perhaps the time period may be a bit distant for young readers, but mention the word "ninja," and martial-arts enthusiasts relate to the invisibility, secrecy, and weaponry of this group. Through customary short entries and inviting visuals; a "recipe" for stealthy attack; descriptions of Japanese feudal classes, clothes, training, ninjutsu (skills), and the lifestyle of the ninja, this volume brings an impression of the era to life. Text features in both books include speech bubbles, a large font, and sidebars that emphasize danger or highlight little-known facts. Welcome buys for fans of the series.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX