The Creators of the iPhone

Gr 3–5—Though physically slim, this title is chock-full of fascinating material about the computing world and the various inventions that led to the development of the iPhone. The informational insets and layout are eye-catching and colorful. The author does not shy away from describing the social awkwardness Steve Jobs experienced throughout his youth; his independent spirit, which caused difficulty in school; and his varied interests, such as calligraphy, Buddhism, and tinkering with mechanical and electrical objects. What stands out the most is the author's focus on teamwork and how the synergy of highly intelligent minds—like those of Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Jonathan Ive—along with an abundance of creative energy and a quest for excellence, resulted in success. This theme is emphasized near the end, when many behind-the-scenes people who contributed to Apple inventions are named and the roles they each played are described. However, the book cover clearly states that the content contained within is "not sponsored or endorsed by or affiliated in any way with these individuals, their families, and/or Apple Inc.," which may be a deterrent to some librarians.