From the How It Happens series, this book shows a variety of workers contributing their skills to the building of a house. Color photographs enable children to see the methods of construction. Clean and straightforward, the layout includes two large, clear photos and three or four sentences of text on a typical double-page spread. Though the writing is fairly simple, specific terms are used for some of the tools and processes as the work progresses and the house takes shape. Anderson comments on these terms within the text as well as in the appended glossary. A helpful presentation on the process of house building, from surveying to framing to painting. Other titles in the series cover such topics as the manufacture of all-terrain vehicles and fireworks.

An eighth-grade genealogy assignment pushes Korean-born Joseph to question his identity as an adopted son of Italian Americans. Joseph's quick wit, honesty, and curiosity make him a winning character. Kent's food and music imagery and description are at first funny then become tedious, but the balance she achieves among Joseph's family life, school experiences, and friendships is effective.