How Things Work

by Stefan Memer

Overview

Ever wanted to take apart the microwave to see how it works? Crack open your computer and peek inside? Intrigued by how things work? So are we! That's why we're dissecting all kinds of things from rubber erasers to tractor beams! Read along as National Geographic Kids unplugs, unravels, and reveals how things do what they do. Complete with "Tales from the Lab," true stories, biographies of real scientists and engineers, exciting diagrams and illustrations, accessible explanations, trivia, and fun features, this cool book explains it all!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426325557
Publisher:	National Geographic Society
Publication date:	10/25/2016
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	40,567
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 12.10(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	920L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

T.J. RESLER is a former journalist and research analyst turned author. With the curiosity of a journalist and the research chops of a PhD, she's tackled issues of science, health, human rights, the environment, and more in her writing for kids of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

Sept. 5, 2016
Revealing looks at the science behind over two dozen vehicles, household appliances, technological gadgets, and recreational challenges.This arbitrary assemblage of high-interest topics—most but not all tech-related—is more portable than the hefty National Geographic Science of Everything (2013) but also more scattershot. It targets younger enquirers with a combination of loud graphics, eye-catching digital images or composite photos (chortles an elephant on a bicycle suspended in midair: “And Dumbo thought HE got air!”), and mixes of quick facts with longer, reasonably specific explanations of processes and physical principles. Subjects encompass hoverboards and invisibility cloaks in the “Beam Me Up” section, toilets in “Home Is Where the Fridge Is,” as well as the history and physics of erasers and glues, bicycles, tightrope walking, hybrid cars, copiers (only the 2-D kind, though), and bounce houses. Each of the five chapters also includes a profile of a modern scientist or inventor and an easy-to-do or -modify “Try This!” project. Both in the photos and the digital art human figures show an inclusive mix of ages, genders, and pale but varied skin colors. Rewarding fare for browsing, but David Macaulay’s The Way Things Work Now (2016) or National Geographic’s aforementioned broader compendium will build sturdier foundations. (index, resource lists) (Nonfiction. 10-13)

Kirkus Review

"Profiles of scientists, engineers, and innovators responsible for these cool technologies are also found in this full-color book with plentiful photos, graphics, varied fonts, a glossary, further reading, and an index. Useful for reports or browsing for the inquisitive reader inspired to know why and how things work." — Booklist

"Revealing looks at the science behind over two dozen vehicles, household appliances, technological gadgets, and recreational challenges." — Kirkus

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From the Publisher