What's Inside Airplanes?

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-Meticulous drawings and two-page chapters give readers a general understanding of their title subjects. Ganeri's book provides a detailed explanation of the various parts of plants, from the one-celled variety to the giant redwood. The audience for this book is unclear. The format suggests that it is for students in elementary grades, but the technical vocabulary, information, and detailed diagrams make it comparable to a sophomore biology text. Airplanes will quickly attract youngsters interested in aviation. It provides a brief history and covers such topics as pistons and propellers, fuel tanks, landing gear, and several different types of aircraft. In both books, the format is busy-information is scattered in short paragraphs around the pages to accompany the colorful, elaborate illustrations. This random arrangement may be a distraction to some readers. In all, Airplanes is sure to take off, but pass on Plants.-Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS