10 Inventors Who Changed the World

by Clive Gifford

Science is not created in a vacuum, and no scientist creates an invention without influences from the past and an impact on the future. 10 Inventors Who Changed the World by Clive Gifford is look at 10 discoverers, beginning with Archimedes of Greece and ending with Sergey Korolyev, each scientist's biography is linked with another based on influences, events, and geography. By uncovering these unique and often overlooked connections, science history emerges as a chain of pattern and relationships, and readers will understand how these ten inventors shaped the course of human civilization.

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Biography, History

64 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2009

About the author

Clive Gifford is a highly experienced journalist and author with over 170 books published and more than 800 features and stories written for adults and children.

Clive is an unusual author who likes to work in both fiction and non-fiction. Perhaps this reflects his unusual life which, so far, has seen him travel to over 70 countries, be held hostage in Colombia, go parachuting, coach several sports and run a computer games company.

He says: "What drives me more than anything else is the desire to communicate, entertain and inform through the written word."

Reviews

[Shannan Schoemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

10 Inventors Who Changed the World written by Clive Gifford and illustrated by David Cousens is a informational historic graphic novel (the size of a children’s picture book) which describes the lives and inventions of 10 prominent inventors from Ancient to Modern times. The more obvious well known inventors are included such as Ben Franklin and Edison but the novel does a splendid job of incorporating the lives and works of some less prominent inventors such as Isambard Kindom Brunei, an engineer.

Each profile includes about five fully illustrated pages with a glimpse of the individual’s career, youth, innovations and misfortunes. I would recommend the book for middle school students and it could easily be used to spur a research project such as a biography or as an introductory text to spark the reader’s interest in upcoming lessons. I enjoyed the visuals and text boxes with fast facts strewn throughout the pages but found the biographies to be a little sensationalized. However, it was fascinating to read about how some inventors looked up to previous ones and modeled their works based on them and how some of their lives were intertwined. For example, Benjamin Franklin became friends with James Watt’s business partner and even ordered some of Watt’s inventions for his own use.

Overall, the graphic novel is a fun and informative introductory text into the lives of some of the world’s greatest inventors, it kept my attention. And when I was reading it during our read 15 time in class some of my students were more than a little curious in what I was reading since it had pictures so we are going to be using it for a future science and English combined thematic unit a the end of the semester.

[Adibah Atiqa (persephtiyareads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the inventors have one same thing. They never EVER give up

[M. Neeley]

Melissa Neeley

Title:
Gifford, C. (2009). 10 Inventors who changed the world. New York, NY: Kingfisher

Type of Reference: Biographical Reference
Call #: Y609.22 GIFFORD
Cost: $12.79

Description: Presented in the form of a graphic novel readers will be intrigued to find out the impact of each inventor and the special connection they share throughout history.

Relevance and Relationship: A great starting point for information inquiry, this book can guide students to other more specific biographical references within a collection.

Purpose: This book can be used to provide background knowledge about a inventors who are part of a larger unit of study.

Validity: Published in 2009 by Kingfisher the book represents a timely, authoritative resource.

Format: The print format is illustrated as a graphic novel with captions that appear to be straight from a comic book.

Arrangement and Presentation: After providing a historical background on the nature of humans as inventors this book is describes the important role of each inventor in chronological order.

Diversity: The visual appeal of this book is sure to encourage reluctant readers and readers with multiple intelligences.

Review Source:
10 Inventors Who Changed the World. (2010). Library Media Connection, 28(4), 83.

[Kassie Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade:5-6
Award(s):None
Genre: non-fiction

Since we are looking at ten inventions I would split the class up into as close to equal groups and assign them a biography. We would have previously finished discussing all of the bioraphies so the students would not be lost in space about the project. I would have the groups tell the class: How the invention that they are studying has been modified to fit today's society?, What are some ideas they would use to make the product better?, Name the most famous invention their person is known for and their least famous invention that many people may not know about. I would also have the students write about one of the people that their peers talked about. For them to be able to do this I would have them take notes about each person's presentation. This will show how well they are listening and give them pratice for note taking.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

4th grade - 5th grade

10 Inventors Who Changed the World briefly explains the stories of Archimedes, Galileo, Ben Franklin, James Watt, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Marie Curie, Glenn Curtiss, Sergei Korolev, and other famous inventors. It uses graphic novel style illustrations to show the events in the lives of these inventors. This book is both educational and entertaining. The sentences in each section are somewhat complex because of punctuation and the vocabulary that is used. The only problem with this book is the lack of sources at the end. However it does include a glossary.

Science, Social Studies

Lesson Plan: Choose one person from the biography and do a research report that expands on the information from the book.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Genre- Non-fiction
2. Awards- None
3. Grade Level- 5-6
4. This is a fun, informative book about 10 important inventors throughout history. I could relate this to a science class on a unit about inventing. After reading the book, I could invite a local inventor to come speak to the class about the inventions he or she made and the inspiration behind it. The inventor would also discuss the patent process. Finally, I would have my students try to invent a household tool that would be useful in everyday life. The students would have to make a patent as well. They would then present their patents and inventions to the class, explaining why they decided to make what they did. I think this book is a great introduction to this unit and will get my students excited about inventing.

[Alex Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Genre: Non-Fiction

2. Awards: None

3. Grade Level: 4th-5th

4. I would use this book in my classroom when we covered famous inventors such as Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell in history class. This book is about 10 famous inventors whose inventions helped shape the world into what it is today. As a follow-up activity I would have my students design and draw their very own inventions out and name it. After they have finished each student will present their invention to the class and tell them it's uses and the reason they invented it. This activity would not only get them excited about inventing but also help them see the thought and scientific process that is the backbone of inventing.

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrated in graphic novel form, this book will generate excitement among readers looking into the process of invention and inventors. The author profiles many of the well-known inventors such as Ben Frankling and Thomas Edison, but also throws in several lesser knowns, including Glenn Curtiss, Sergei Korolev and Isambard Kingdom Brunei. Each inventor gets 4 to 5 pages, which often includes a look at his or her early years, and a solid focus on career, creative process, triumphs and, in some cases, tragedies. The author also includes "Life Links," which connect each story and reveals how these innovators were inspired by or reacted against those who came before. The sections on electric rivals Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla is particularly gripping.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discover the past of 10 very different inventors. But they all did one thing: change the world. What would happen if these inventors didn't go to do the things they are known for today? What if we didn't have trains, electricity, phones, or the medicine we have today? Look at the achievements of these inventors many starting when they were young. 10 Inventors Who Changed the World by Clive Gillford was a good, inspiring non-fiction book. I would recommend this to all ages.

[Mark Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this with my daughter because she was very interested in Inventors. Her favourites were Marie Curie and Benjamin Franklin. I liked the format, which had lots to look at and little comic book style graphic depictions of the history of inventing. Fun stuff.

[Parksy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summary book for kids...
Some interesting facts.

[Concordian Library]

10 Copies Available
G6LA

Used in Unit 3: Dreams and Innovations (LA Y1, Ph 5/6)

G6LA Set

[Junessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expected inventors and some you probably never heard of. A great read for older kids.

[Beth Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a nice introduction to a variety of inventors. The background about their lives is quite interesting.