BOOK MARKED
12 Books to Read During
National Inventors Month
Learn the true stories behind inventions that changed the
world for better (and for worse!). Read about kid inventors
and even try some fun STEM projects at home.

BY JENNIFER ROTHSCHILD
COLLECTION ENGAGEMENT LIBRARIAN, ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
PICTURE BOOKS
“Mr. Ferris and His Wheel”
By Kathryn Gibbs Davis,
illustrated by Gilbert Ford
When Paris hosted the World’s Fair, they built
a large tower as the centerpiece. In 1893, it was
Chicago’s turn, but with only 10 months to go,
they still didn’t have anything that could outshine
the Eiffel Tower. Then George Washington Gale
Ferris Jr. had an idea: what if he built something
large like a tower, but it moved? Facing challenges
at every turn, Ferris managed to build his wheel,
a design that has since been reproduced all
over the world.

“Izzy Gizmo”
By Pip Jones,
illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Meet Izzy Gizmo, who loves to invent things and
carries her toolbelt everywhere she goes, just
in case. One day, she finds a bird with a broken
wing and is determined to invent something to
help. Unfortunately, her first idea doesn’t work.

Neither does her second nor her third. Will
she ever be able to make an invention to help
the bird fly?
“Sweet Dreams Sarah:
From Slavery to Inventor”
By Vivian Kirkfield,
illustrated by Chris Ewald
After slavery was abolished, Sarah E. Goode
moved to Chicago and opened a furniture store.

Many of her customers needed furniture to fit
their small living spaces and budgets, so Sarah
invented a bed that folds up during the day,
earning one of the first patents awarded to an
African American woman.

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EARLY READERS
“The Invention Hunters
Discover How Machines Work”
By Korwin Briggs
The Invention Hunters fly around the world
seeking out the world’s greatest inventions. When
they land in a construction site, they discover —
and misidentify, to great comedic effect — a series
of wonderful inventions. This fun story explores
simple machines and how they’re used. In later
volumes, the Invention Hunters learn several
other STEM concepts, such as electricity.

“Truth or Lie: Inventors!”
By Erica S. Perl,
illustrated by Michael H. Slack
From Velcro to the airplane, this book uses the
fun children's game three truths and a lie to teach
the backstory behind inventions that are now part
of our everyday lives.

“Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life”
By Laurie Wallmark,
illustrated by Katy Wu
Hedy Lamarr was a popular movie star, but
despite her international fame, most people didn’t
know that she was also an inventor who developed
technologies to help the United States during
World War II. Even though some of her biggest
breakthroughs were ignored at the time, they’re
now used in our personal electronics.

MIDDLE GRADE
“What Color is My World?
The Lost History of
African-American Inventors”
By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar



and Raymond Obstfeld,
illustrated by Ben Boos and A. G. Ford
Twins Herbie and Ella aren’t happy about their new
house — it needs so much work! While talking with
their parents’ handyman, they learn about 16 Black
individuals who invented many of the things around
their house. With sidebars, fun flaps and some comic-
style pages, this book is a fun one to flip through.

“STEM Lab: 25 Super Cool Projects:
Build, Invent, Create, Discover”
By Jack Challoner
Kids can create items like homemade instruments
and wind-up cars by following the clear instructions
in this DIY book. The scientific concepts behind each
of the 25 projects are clearly explained as well as
their real-world applications.

“Elements of Genius: Nikki Tesla
and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray”
By Jess Keating
The first book in the Elements of Genius series
introduces readers to Nikki Tesla, kid inventor
extraordinaire. Unfortunately, her inventions tend to
cause destruction and mayhem. When her pet ferret
sets off her death ray and explodes her bedroom,
Nikki’s mother packs her off to the Genius Academy.

Nikki isn’t certain about the other kids there, but
she’ll have to make friends and learn to work with
others when someone steals her death ray.

READER: SEVENTYFOUR/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
YOUNG ADULTS
“The Boy Who
Harnessed the Wind”
By William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer,
illustrated by Anna Hymas
After a flood devastated his family’s crops and
left them with nothing to eat, 14-year-old William
Kamkwamba went to the library to see if he could
find a solution. Using the information he learned
in books, he built a windmill out of bicycle parts
and scrap metal to electrify his family’s home
and help pump water from deep underground to
use on the fields. Older teens may be interested
in reading the original version of this book, first
published for adults.

“CRISPR: A Powerful
Way to Change DNA”
By Yolanda Ridge
This book offers a clear, concise introduction to
CRISPR, the gene-editing technology. In addition to
explaining the science, Ridge explores the exciting
developments that could result from using CRISPR
as well as its unknown consequences. Each chapter
ends with questions for further thought, inviting the
reader to critically engage with the issues at play.

This thought-provoking book makes an excellent
read for teens, especially those considering a career
in medical science.

“Bomb: The Race to Build — And Steal —
The World’s Most Powerful Weapon”
By Steve Sheinkin
During World War II, both sides raced to invent a
new type of weapon that used nuclear energy to
create maximum destruction. In this gripping book,
readers not only learn about the science behind
nuclear weapons, but also the high-stakes story
surrounding its invention, complete with daring raids
by saboteurs and secret labs hidden in the desert.

Sheinkin doesn’t shy away from the devastating
consequences of the invention and will explore
these issues even further in his upcoming September
release, “Fallout.” P
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