Description
Jump in the driver’s seat for this entertaining, STEM-filled tour of the history of car production and the science and engineering that makes cars safe.
★ “[An] innovative blend of history, technology, and engineering…. STEM at its best.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
Cars take us to work. To school. To soccer practice. To the grocery store and home again. Can you imagine a world without them? It’s not so easy!
One of the reasons we can use cars so much in our everyday lives is because they are safe to drive. But that hasn’t always been the case. If it weren’t for the experiments conducted over decades that involved all kinds of crash test volunteers―dead, alive, animal, or automated―cars as we know them might not be around. And then how would you get to school?
Filled with fun four‐wheeled nuggets of history and explanations of how cars actually work, this nonfiction book from former science educator and award-winning author Jennifer Swanson will appeal to lovers of all things that go and readers who are interested in getting under the hood and seeing how things work.
Reviews
★ “[An] innovative blend of history, technology, and engineering…insightful fun. STEM at its best.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Attractively designed and engagingly written—sure to appeal to readers with a taste for the scientific and technical.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The information presented here is interesting, and most readers will find it fascinating to learn how car safety has changed over time.” —School Library Connection
Awards
Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award Silver Honor ―California Reading Association, 2019
AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books (Middle Grades Longlist)―American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2021
Best STEM Books ―ASEE / ITEEA / NSTA / SEPA / CBC, 2020
Parents’ Choice Gold Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2020
More Details
AR Level: 6.4
F&P: Y, Gr 6, Genre I
Lexile: 920L
Themes: Automobiles, Invention, Safety, Scientific Advancement, Technology
BISAC 1: JNF057030 JUVENILE NONFICTION/Transportation/Cars & Trucks
BISAC 2: JNF051120 JUVENILE NONFICTION / Technology / How Things Work-Are Made
BISAC 3: JNF061010 JUVENILE NONFICTION / Technology / Inventions
