From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8 - Following the construction of the new Random House Building in New York City, Doolittle and Goodman have created a visual time line with photographs and personal interviews. Beginning literally from the underground and working their way up, they illustrate how a skyscraper is squeezed into a city block, with a design that melded building codes and restrictions with artistic goals. Quotes from contributing workers, including the architect, engineers, project superintendent, signalman, a mason, and others, are included. Each spread is covered with pictures and facts about the building. A concluding map of the world illustrates all of the countries that contributed materials to the project, and a glossary defines complex construction terms.
Skyscraper takes a narrower approach than David Bennett's
Skyscrapers: Form and Function (S & S, 1995; o.p.) and David Macaulay's
Building Big (Houghton, 2000), both excellent books that cover the construction of skyscrapers. However, the book offers readers a more personal journey. Between the narrower scope and the smaller size,
Skyscraper is more accessible to reluctant readers.
- Delia Fritz, Mercersburg Academy, PA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
*Starred Review* Gr. 2-5. In the latest collaboration between Goodman and photographer Doolittle, graceful, clear text and exciting color photos show the planning and construction of a New York City skyscraper. Inviting spreads introduce the work of the hundreds of people involved, from the architects, engineers, and "experts on everything from parking to window washing" to the construction team that solves incredible technical and logistical challenges. Goodman tells her story in beautifully edited, straightforward language that gives just the details that will sharpen kids' interest: when an enormous hammer is used on the foundation bedrock, for example, it "makes waves in toilets a block away." Particularly moving are profiles and quotes from those involved that personalize the story and encourage readers to think about the human power and pride behind the engineering feats: "My grandfather worked on the Empire State Building, and my dad built the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. I worked on the World Trade Center. Sometimes I look around and think, 'Yup, we helped make this city.'" Stunning photographs, fact paragraphs in red type, and a concluding world map indicating where some of the construction materials originated further enhance this thoughtful, well-composed offering, which will nicely complement David Macaulay's
Building Big (2000).
Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
