Starred Review Ever walked through the city and wondered what lay beneath your feet? Of course you have! But most of us quickly put it out of mind and move on. Hidden Systems is what happens when that wondering doesn't go away and the answers come to you in the form of a comic. While there are dozens of hidden systems that keep modernity operating, Nott chooses to focus on three that, arguably, set the foundation for all the rest: the internet, the power grid (electricity), and waterworks. The book is split into sections for each system, with each section providing a history of how these systems emerged, where they are today, and views at different scales cro, micro, and in daily life. The future of these systems is briefly considered, with a note of hope for adaptation in a world of climate change, largely in the concluding chapter. The true power of comics is on display here, with complex, difficult-to-comprehend structures presented both through a variety of metaphors and by placing those metaphors in context with simplified renditions of their real physical appearance. As he credits in the end pages (with process sketches and a bibliography), Nott is channeling the brilliant illustrative work of David Macaulay's The Way Things Work here, bringing clarity to a new generation of curious readers. Strong crossover YA and adult appeal.

A graphic exploration of select parts of our large-scale infrastructure.Nott presents a pictorial examination of three potentially fascinating engineered networks-the internet, the electrical grid, and fresh water distribution. His definition of a hidden system as "something we don't notice until it breaks" is valid enough, and in clearly and repeatedly demonstrating how the three are, for all their benefits, also historical and ongoing sources of "inequality and environmental harm," he performs a valuable service. But for all the careful research and efforts to lighten the tone with verbal and sight gags, the narrative's chopped-up quotes and generalized observations, infrequently leavened by specific incidents or examples, slow the pacing to a crawl despite the seemingly endless parade of informal, largely monochrome, blue line drawings, which are packed into small panels and neither animate the discourse nor look often enough beyond localized details to capture a sense of the three systems' overall size and complexity. Still, if end users who stay the course don't come away with much clearer big pictures of what happens when they press keys, hit switches, and turn faucet handles, they'll be more mindful that each of these acts comes with past and current legacies of colonialism, displaced populations, economic and class inequities, hidden agendas, and systemic racism. The human figures suggest racial and ethnic diversity.Heavy going but does focus as much on social costs as structures and functions. (sketch pages, endnotes, bibliography) (Graphic nonfiction. 12-16)

Gr 6 Up —Separated into sections, broken into chapters, with each focusing on a smaller part that makes up a larger whole, this bold undertaking sets out to explain systems in our daily lives. From internet to electricity to water, our most complex systems and how they affect our environment come under scrutiny. Simple, monotone sketch illustrations provide extra white space for information, but some cells lack direction. The book is packed with information and technical detail that may overwhelm the casual nonfiction reader or graphic novel enthusiast. VERDICT An ambitious effort that misses the mark for the intended age. Purchase for a public or school library where students show a great interest in science and engineering.—Maryjean Riou