Build Your Own Car, Rocket, and Other Things That Go Build Your Own Fort, Igloo, and Other Hangouts Build Your Own Mini Golf Course, Lemonade Stand, and Other Things to Do Build Your Own Periscope, Flashlight, and Other Useful Stuff

Gr 5—8—Those who choose to mix epoxy instead of watercolors and feel more comfortable in a hardware store than an art store are the target audience for this series. With a utility knife, electric drill, and handsaw included in the list of needed tools, there are recurring reminders to ask an adult for help. Other more-than-appropriate suggestions deal with safety concerns—securing the area before letting the helicopter launcher fly (Car), making sure the old-fashioned tree swing is far enough away from the tree trunk (Mini Golf), etc. Though there is not a discernible progression for the projects' difficulty, there is a sense that the best has been saved for last. Some of these showstoppers are a pop gun (which the writer assures is a toy and not dangerous), a water blaster rocket, and an igloo, all of which require some tool savvy and a meticulous nature. Snowshoes and a leaf hut made from branches have an outdoor, survival gear appeal, but no matter what the project, readers will need a good amount of elbow grease and patience to see it through to its completion.