Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 11/01/2025 Gr 8 Up—Colorful photos and diagrams explore inventions throughout history from drive belts on potter's wheels to maglev trains to space tourism. Many of the books are arranged chronologically with advances in various areas such as flight traced from early kites to the space age, or healthcare from the prehistoric trepanning of skulls to cloning and gene therapy. Along with the main text there are plentiful sidebars: "Society and Inventions" discusses trends like cycling lanes in urban environments, "Facts and Figures" shares details like how much the biggest crane in the world can lift, and "Science Words" defines key terms like atmospheric pressure. Back matter includes a glossary, suggested books and websites for further research, an index, and many of the titles also have a timeline. VERDICT This series covers a wide variety of STEM topics and teachers looking for materials to demonstrate the relationship between society and technology may find it very helpful. - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 10/01/2025 This graphics-rich STEM gem offers a quick overview of notable developments in human flight, from ancient times through modern day with nods toward the future. Part of the Key Concepts: STEM Engineering and Technology series (6 titles), its pages are filled with inviting spreads of engaging, straightforward reporting supported by numerous sidebars, definitions of technical vocabulary, lists, captioned photos, illustrations, diagrams, a timeline (1783–2024), glossary, and additional resources. The narrative unfolds in chronological order and fills in historic and political context, emphasizing instances in which advances were built on previous technologies. There are also references to how air and space innovations translate into earth-bound everyday life (remote-controlled pacemakers and heart pumps, communication satellites). Filled with solid information, famous firsts, and facts, this will appeal to space nerds, researchers, and browsers. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.