23 Things to Do Before You Are 11 1/2: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide for Things to Make in Your Backyard

Gr 4–7—With a pair of work clothes and a willing adult to assist, readers will be ready to dive into this attractive collection of projects in no time. The activities are broken down into easy steps. Clever cartoon characters point readers to bite-size facts. The book begins with a section called "How to Use your Tools Safely" and the author lets readers know that he accepts no liability for injuries sustained. The projects are divided into four color-coded sections: "Super Scientist," which describes how and why projects work; "Workshop Wizard," which requires readers to use heavy-duty tools; "Outdoor Adventurer," activities for campers and explorers; and "Eco Dude," which emphasizes the use of recycled materials. The book uses metric, rather than U.S., measurements. Some terms are also not defined, such as neodymium, surgical spirit, and hypotenuse. Those who enjoy hands-on activities will get hours of fun out of this title. However, because of the fragile binding, this title may not last long.