Skyscrapers: The Heights of Engineering

Science Comics

by John Kerschbaum

Leave no brick unturned in John Kerschbaum's Science Skyscrapers , the latest volume in First Second’s action-packed nonfiction graphic novel series for middle-grade readers!

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic―dinosaurs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, robots, and more. These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you!

In this volume, join a pair of superheroes as they uncover the secrets of skyscrapers, from the great Egyptians pyramids to the world’s tallest building. Read along and learn how skyscrapers are a bold combination of applied physics, ingenuity, and a lot of hard work!

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Comics, Middle Grade, Childrens, 2nd Grade

128 pages, Hardcover

Published November 19, 2019

Reviews

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the other science comics books in the series, this one is extremely informative. Your kids will pick up a ton of information and quickly become an "expert" (they think) on the topic. You'll learn a thing or two, too, assuming this isn't your profession. However, I found the superhero narrators quite annoying in this one, and I see other reviewers have the same quibble. Hurts that the not-quite-sidekick Quiz Kid is the most notable POC in the entire book, and comes off as a bit slow to remember anything but super villains he has haplessly rescued the superman character from.

[Amber Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love the Science Comics series and was excited for the Skyscrapers edition. When I started the book I enjoyed the factual information about building skyscrapers and how they have changed over the years. The main character was funny and engaging, but then they introduced the less intelligent, often made fun of sidekick who happened to be a POC. It just didn't sit right with me and I had a hard time getting through the rest of the book.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Science Comics: Skyscrapers: The Heights of Engineering by John Kerschbaum GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second (Roaring Brook), 2019. $13.

Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A superhero takes his side kick on a tour and explanation of skyscrapers using time travel. He starts with the history of the tallest buildings and why they were invented. Then he explains the engineering involved in building skyscrapers and how that engineering has evolved. Along the way, the side kick makes funny comparisons to the superhero’s run-ins with different villains.

I enjoyed this explanation and history of skyscrapers and I’m not into engineering. It’s interesting that we take for granted how complex skyscrapers are even though we live in and among them. The engineering explanations are simple enough that a beginner can understand them, but detailed so it will take a reader with a higher vocabulary to comprehend. The superhero and side kick were good comic relief.

Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relying on a superhero and his sometime sidekick Quiz Kid, this graphic novel explores the wonders of building skyscrapers, a topic sure to fascinate many youngsters and adults. After exploring a bit of history regarding the early pyramids and issues related to gravity and compression, the book introduces various physics and engineering concepts and explains how dampers and gravitational loads must be considered as engineers plan buildings that reach higher and higher into the sky. The illustrations contain views of concrete mats, I-beams, and building cores as well as the substructure of many buildings under construction. This is fascinating science explored in an accessible way, which is the case for all the books in the Science Comics series. There's a helpful glossary to review important terms at the end of the book. Science teachers who don't know about this series are missing a great opportunity to turn their students onto science in an exciting and engaging way.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Science Comics, and as per the usual I learned a ton in this volume! It truly was fascinating to learn about skyscrapers - I had no idea beforehand how they were built!

But - and perhaps I'm being picky - the illustrations bothered me. First, I didn't care for their buck-toothed characterization, and second, while I typically rejoice at characters of color, did it have to be the slightly annoying sidekick? Maybe switch the colors of the main characters if you want to add the representation in there!

Bonus points for the superhero name gags in the last few pages though ;-)

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love science comics because they do an excellent job of putting scientific concepts into words and pictures that are more easily understood than most classroom or textbook explanations. This one is no exception as it explains the physics and engineering principles behind the building of skyscrapers and why they don't collapse.

Here is my main problem with this particular issue and maybe I just haven't noticed it in prior volumes: The main superhero doing the explaining is light-skinned. He may possibly have some olive tones but is most likely Caucasian. His sidekick is black. Oh, great, diversity, right? Nope. The main character is doing ALL the explaining and looks really smart, while the sidekick just flies around and asks all the questions so that the white/light-skinned character can continue to expound. You see the problem here, right? Why couldn't the main character be black? Time to step up, science comics!

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 1 out of 5]

First off this book was boring. Second off, Quiz Kid was sooo heckin’ annoying and also just dumb. Third off, the blatant knock-off of DC comics makes me want to sue for them. I mean the main character is so obviously Superman it’s cringe. I skipped to the end and he even goes into a freakin TELEPHONE BOOTH to change his clothes to go into an architecture firm named, something like Kent, Wayne, and Prince. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Copyright much????????? And guess what Quiz Kid’s name actually ends up being? Robin Banner. The Marvel and DC fan in me is very offended by this Science Comic, especially when I am also reading a very good Superman graphic novel at the same time. Negative 1,000 stars.

[Krysti Kois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science Comics: Skyscrapers is a great addition to the Science Comics library. It is supremely informative while still being cute and fun for the kids. This series is extremely popular with our kids at the library and helpful enough to use for projects. It does use the “big” (actual) words to describe things, but in addition to describing things well in the sentences there are also colorful, illuminating illustrations to help the kids understand what is being talked about. We will definitely be adding this book to our collection. Thank you, net galley for the digital arc.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The framing story of a superhero explaining skyscrapers to a sidekick is a bit silly, but the facts are sound and fascinating. John Kerchbaum focuses his science gaze on skyscraper construction, including lessons on compression, tension, and dampeners, as well as far more pages than you might expect on a building's foundation. I appreciated the new knowledge - kids might be bored. If you're looking for a list of cool, tall buildings, you might also be disappointed.

[Kaia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The factual information and illustrations about skyscrapers were very interesting, but I would have liked the book more if the superhero main character was a person of color and the somewhat dopey sidekick was white, rather than the other way around. It did start a good conversation with my son, however, since we read the book aloud.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the framing sequence of the Superman-like character explaining engineering to his uncomfortably dumb sidekick to be annoying, although my kids were entertained. The actual science of buildings going all the way back to the pyramids and up to modern architecture I found much more interesting. I learned a lot. I wonder how much my kids retained.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mixture of history, science and superhero silliness. I'm not sure the superhero silliness would hold up to re-reads. But it does give a chance to play around with the English language. This book could have gone deeper into the physics and chemistry of construction or history of buildings versus elements. Instead it stayed just deep enough to tell its story. Good enough art, good enough text. The afterword was just a glossary, though a pretty good one.

[Heidi Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole series of Science Comics books are great and this is no exception. The super hero and his “side kick” provide lots of humor to a topic that could otherwise get bogged down in the technical side of things. This is a great read for any fan of graphic novels and especially those that are interested in engineering.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 2 out of 5]

3/27/2020 ~ Really informative; I appreciated the use of the technical vocabulary, and that the author/publisher didn't worry about going over kids' heads. I was bothered by the race of the two main characters and the way the side-kick (and only person of color) was portrayed.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so great for children. Super factual and fun without feeling like a bogged down description of something that is very technical. I can’t believe I enjoyed this on a topic I am not very interested in...

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly informative about the science behind how skyscrapers are built. The narrators are really annoying, though. Both the not-Superman and the not-Robin are kind of dim, and the running gag that actually the sidekick is often the hero wears thin really fast.

[Raymond Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how much information is contained in the graphic novel format. This book will make it easier for reluctant readers to read non-fiction material.

[Mary Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much! The fact that it is a nonfiction graphic novel is perfect. Kids who do not usually enjoy nonfiction but love graphic novels will enjoy.

[Brian Clopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible example of just how powerful an educative tool comics can be. I learned so much!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Science Comics! This one was educational with some humor mixed in.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the science comics series and this is one of my favorite. Fascinating info on skyscrapers.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information, entertaining enough, though I did tire of the superhero bits.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A little too dry and technical for the average junior age reader to me. Still fascinating though!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best science comics we’ve read. My 6 yo loves the story, and the facts taught throughout. This has been his favorite out of the science comics. They’re all written by different authors.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Naturally I like some titles more than others. This was one of the better ones. The superhero guides were fun and helped me digest all the fascinating facts about everything involved in building buildings.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! My students have loved the Science Comics we've purchased for the library and I'm sure this one will be no different. It presents complex concepts in a fun and approachable way and lets the reader dive into a story while learning some cool facts along the way. I liked the superhero character taking us through this specific story; it makes a fun addition and allows readers to seamlessly jump around and learn about different topics without feeling choppy or like they're just spitting facts at you.

Overall, I love this series and will most likely be purchasing for my elementary school library.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the chance to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.