Eureka! Poems About Inventors (Single Titles)
Grade 5 Up-Sixteen poems turn into a trip through time with the people who invented some of the things that make our lives easier, better, and more enjoyable. Sidman manages to turn the voices of these people into narrative poems, just at the moment of creativity that is about to change the world. She begins with prehistory as a woman accidentally discovers clay as she wishes for a vessel to carry an abundant crop of sweet berries, and takes readers to Tim Berners-Lee's invention of the World Wide Web in "Enquire Within." There are important discoveries here-like movable type and genetics-and fun ones, too, such as chocolate bars and Frisbees. Chavez's full-color, surrealistic illustrations add depth, character, and feeling to the selections. After each group of poems, brief paragraphs give just a bit more information about the inventors' place in history. This is a great starting or finishing point for students researching any of these people, but the entire book reads beautifully as one amazing journey from before recorded time to the present.Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FLCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.