In the Air: Fighter Jets

Gr 5–7—Colorful, eye-catching photos will capture the attention of young military enthusiasts and the content will keep their interest. Each title has five chapters that describe the history, present uses, and future of the featured aircraft. Fighter Jets begins with the use of F-16s on 9/11 and then takes readers back to 1944 and the introduction of the German Me 262, the world's first fighter jet. The role of fighter jets in wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq is briefly discussed. The text also mentions the Soviet MIG and the new Chinese Chengdu J-20. Readers will likely find Drones to be more interesting since the use of those machines is relatively new. This title begins with a straightforward and slightly graphic description of locating and killing key al-Qaeda figure Anwar al-Awlaki. One chapter describes "How Drones and Their Pilots Operate" while another discusses "Arguing Over the Ethics of Drones." The text of both titles is superimposed on a gray camouflage-patterned background. "Fast Fact" text boxes provide additional information. The photos, which vary from wallet size to full spread, are well chosen. There are a number of books about fighter jets, and this one is comprehensive and current; Drones fills a void in most collections.—Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS