Space and Aircraft (New Technology) - Hardcover

Grade 4-8?Surveying recent and current technological developments, Communications covers such topics as CD-ROMs, computers, television, and virtual reality, while Space includes probes, supersonic jets, space shuttles, and more. Two or three paragraphs briefly summarize the technology, and then several captioned photographs offer examples of contemporary uses. The facts are timely and accurate, but few details are given. Readers learn what the COBE satellite does and why it's important, but not much about how it was developed or how it actually works. Problems with new advancements are noted, such as the lack of maneuverability of super-jumbo jets. The full-color photographs are generally clear and attractive, and pages are relatively uncluttered, considering the variety of facts and illustrations per spread. Indexes are slightly frustrating, however, since they use subdivisions of general topics and no cross references; students must look under "television" to find "VCR" and "space shuttle" to find Challenger. Though not as exciting or informative as Gloria Skurzinski's "Your High Tech World" series (Bradbury), these books work well as basic introductions to their subjects.?Steven Engelfried, West Lynn Library, OR
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