Shopping for the holidays can be stressful when you’re trying to figure out the perfect gift for everyone on your list. But this year we’ve got you covered! Encourage a love of reading by giving a book this holiday. Find the perfect gift for every young reader in your life with our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide!
For: The Future Engineer
Izzy Gizmo
Written by Pip Jones
Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Izzy Gizmo’s inventions are marvelous, but often malfunction. When she finds a crow with a broken wing, she just has to help! Izzy tries again and again to build a new pair of wings, but nothing is working. Can Izzy overcome her failures?
This feisty tale of determination, ingenuity, and friendship is sure to capture the imaginations of aspiring young inventors and lovers of all things STEAM! Read an excerpt here.
Countdown
2979 Days to the Moon
Written by Suzanne Slade
Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced that the United States would try to land a man on the Moon. During the 2979 days that followed his speech, 18 astronauts climbed into spaceships; eight rockets soared into space and 400,000 people―engineers, technicians, scientists, mathematicians, and machinists―joined Project Apollo in hopes of making the dream a reality.
With powerful free verse and stunning illustrations, this story of the successes, failures, triumphs, tragedies, and lessons learned from the Apollo missions will captivate and inspire young readers while educating them about an amazing decade of U.S. space exploration. Read an excerpt here.
Seven and a Half Tons of Steel
Written by Janet Nolan
Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez
After September 11, 2001, a beam from the World Trade Center Towers was given to the U.S. Navy. The beam was driven from New York to a foundry in Louisiana, where the seven and a half tons of steel, which had once been a beam in the World Trade Center, became a navy ship’s bow.
Powerful text and striking illustrations make up this inspiring story of how shipbuilders, engineers, electricians, mechanics, welders, carpenters, painters and plumbers worked together to build something remarkable. Read an excerpt here.
Uncharted Waters
Written by Leslie Bulion
Instead of joining the swim team like he told his uncle, Jonah hangs around the local marina working on boat motors, hoping to buy his own motorboat one day. When budding marine biologist Sumi asks him to be her research assistant, he jumps at the chance to make some money. But soon he will have to face his greatest fears and give up his secrets forever.
Enhanced by a rich ensemble of supporting characters, interesting facts about marine life and boat motor mechanics, and a text that perfectly captures the special rhythms of small town seaside living, Bulion’s novel is sure to capture the imaginations of aspiring young scientists and future mechanical engineers. Read an excerpt here.
Find these titles and more at your local indie bookstore or Barnes & Noble. Still looking for more great ideas? Our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide has even more gift recommendations for your little readers this holiday season!