Gr 6 Up-Engagingly written, this title chronicles major achievements in the field of architecture with colorful photos highlighting aspects of several distinct architectural styles, from the early Renaissance to modern deconstructivism. An array of detailed background information reveals illuminating tidbits pertaining to a variety of buildings and the innovative architects who lay foundational tenets for generations to come. A time line header bordering each page enhances the sequential progression, beginning in the 12th century with Filippo Brunelleschi, then transporting readers along a captivating path culminating in a recap of the 21st century's renowned female architect Zaha Hadid. VERDICT A fine resource for those considering building a career in architecture or related fields and a solid option for cultural studies lesson plans or projects. Kathryn Diman, Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME

The latest book in the accessible Children Should Know series introduces 13 notable architects working primarily in the Western tradition. The chronological survey presents Filippo Brunelleschi, Andrea Palladio, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Christopher Wren, Balthasar Neumann, Thomas Jefferson, Gustave Eiffel, Antoni Gaudí, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Frank Gehry, and Zaha Hadid. In each section, a time line, a fast-fact box, and a portrait support the clearly written main text, which introduces the architect's life and work. For instance, Hadid, an Iraqi British architect who won the Pritzker Prize in 2004, is discussed along with two of her buildings, the Phaeno Science Center in Germany and the Berg Isel Ski Jump in Austria. The many well-captioned illustrations include large, clearly reproduced color photos of significant buildings, sometimes supplemented with sketches and smaller photos of details. This handsome book offers young people an informative introduction to architecture through some significant figures in its history.