Perma-Bound from Publisher's Hardcover ©2019 | -- |
Publisher's Hardcover ©2019 | -- |
Gibbs, William F. (William Francis),. 1886-1967.
Gibbs, William F. (William Francis),. 1886-1967.
United States (Steamship). History. Juvenile literature.
United States (Steamship). History.
Ocean liners. United States. History. Juvenile literature.
Shipbuilding. History. Juvenile literature.
Ocean liners.
Shipbuilding.
Ocean liners. United States. History.
Shipbuilding. History.
Starred Review Macaulay's nonfiction has enlightened many of us, explaining topics from architectural wonders to household gadgets to the human body in his classic The Way Things Work (1988). Here he offers a somewhat personal glimpse at oceanic vessels and the steam engines that powered them. In 1957, 10-year-old Macaulay and his family emigrated from Britain to the U.S., traveling on the SS United States, the fastest steamship of the day. Macaulay treats readers to a history of steam engines (and their many improvements), leading up to a detailed account of the construction of the United States, designed by engineer William Francis Gibbs. Macaulay's succinct, explanatory text propels the narrative, drawing readers into his meticulous, captioned artwork that further clarifies the discussion. The illustrations are varied (cutaway views, aerial perspectives, spot art, and full-page spreads) and often depict the artist's hand at work: building models, executing a drawing, and lifting the page to remind readers of the Macaulay family. The most amazing spread is a triple gatefold depicting the entire ship, featuring both cutaway and exterior views. Juicy tidbits (the ship was outfitted with an operating room, a morgue, and seven caskets) augment scientific and historical details, and Macaulay's memories of his own voyage add a child's perspective. Appended with an afterword, time line, and photos, this is not to be missed.
School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)Gr 6 Up-An in-depth informational text surveying the history of steamships, focusing on the SS United States . Master author/illustrator Macaulay combines expository and narrative nonfiction, explaining how William Francis Gibbs and his brother engineered the building of the SS United States and how his family eventually immigrated to America journeying on that very ship. The author's personal connection provides a solid foundation for the information. Macaulay's beautifully detailed illustrations illuminate the blended text, and are so engaging that they will draw in readers otherwise reluctant about the content of the book itself. An afterword and time line provide back matter that will further round out the readers' experience. VERDICT This book is a necessary addition to any collection serving middle grade readers and is perfect for collections in need of STEAM texts; a must-buy for any and all collections. Amy McInerney, Falmouth Elementary School, ME
Kirkus ReviewsChildhood memories, as well as loads of historical and archival research, anchor a history of ocean liners from the invention of steam pumps to the magnificent SS United States.Linked by recollections of his own family's 1957 journey from the U.K. to New York aboard the United States, Macaulay traces the development of steam-powered ships from a small 1783 paddle-driven experiment to the 990-foot monster that still holds the record for the fastest Atlantic crossing by a ship of its type. Ignoring the Titanic-like tragedies, he focuses on design and engineering—mixing profile portraits of dozens of increasingly long, sleek hulls with lovingly detailed cutaway views of boilers, turbines, and power trains, structural elements being assembled (sometimes with the help of a giant authorial hand reaching down from the skies), and diagrams of decks and internal workings. All of this is accompanied by sure, lucid explanations and culminates in a humongous inside view of the United States on a multiple gatefold, with very nearly every room and cupboard labeled. Having filled in the historical highlights, the author turns to his own story with an account of the five-day voyage and his first impressions of this country that are made more vivid by reconstructed scenes and family photos. A waiter in one of the former is the only person of color in clear view, but human figures of any sort are rare throughout.Personal notes give this stirring tribute to speed, power, and technological prowess an unusually intimate air. (timeline, further reading) (Nonfiction/memoir. 11-14)
Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)More than 30 years after the publication of
Starred Review ALA Booklist (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)
School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)
Kirkus Reviews
New York Times Book Review
Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
David Macaulay, co-creator of the international bestseller The Way Things Work , brings his signature curiosity and detailing to the story of the steamship in this meticulously researched and stunningly illustrated book . Prior to the 1800s, ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean relied on the wind in their sails to make their journeys. But invention of steam power ushered in a new era of transportation that would change ocean travel forever: the steamship. Award-winning author-illustrator David Macaulay guides readers through the fascinating history that culminated in the building of the most advanced--and last--of these steamships: the SS United States . This book artfully explores the design and construction of the ship and the life of its designer and engineer, William Francis Gibbs. Framed around the author's own experience steaming across the Atlantic on the very same SS United States , Crossing on Time is a tour de force of the art of explanation and a touching and surprising childhood story. A 2020 NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book