This book is a description of
the Brooklyn Bridge and a complete history of the people and
events in the building of it. It is not boring, though. Mr. Curlee includes engineering facts and human interest anecdotes.
Publishers Weekly says, “Readers fascinated
with how things work may well regard bridges with greater respect, and aspiring engineers will gain a strong sense of the
all-encompassing process of designing and erecting a suspension bridge.” It
is the perfect marriage of a history and science fact book with the addition of a partial narrative biography of the chief
engineer’s family that gave their lives for the bridge.
The text of Brooklyn Bridge reads like an exciting novel. The writer’s feelings of admiration
for the bridge as well as for the people involved building it shows in his choice of words.
He compares the arches to “those of a cathedral” and the towers to “ancient gates.” He calls the chief engineer, John Roebling, “an authentic genius” and “inventive.” His descriptions of each stage of building and the rigors the builders endured are
written as if the reader were there. The narrative is complemented with maps,
diagrams, a specifications table, and a time table. School Library Journal says, “This title will appeal to audiences looking for report information and to
those looking for an exciting story.”
As if the story
idea, the bridge itself, and Roebling family story was not enough this book has wonderful acrylic paintings showing the majesty
of the project and the people behind it. It is a visual history book of what
was called in its time “the eighth wonder of the world.” They show scenes of the bridge in the past, the fireworks
at the opening of the bridge, and a timely moonlight painting of the bridge and the twin towers. Mr. Curlee’s paintings also show the character of the builders and engineers, including Emily Roebling. Publishers Weekly says, “Like his
previous Rushmore and Liberty, Curlee's latest picture book celebrates a monumental feat of engineering and craftsmanship,
and makes clear the human contributions behind it.”
The Best Children's
Books of the Year, 2002 ; Bank Street College of Education
Capitol Choices,
2001; The Capitol Choices Committee
Notable Books for
Children, 2002; ALA-ALSC
Notable Social
Studies Trade Books for Young Readers, 2002; National Council for the Social Studies
Outstanding Science
Trade Books for Children, 2002; National Science Teachers Association
Publishers Weekly
Book Review Stars, May 2001
Robert F. Sibert
Informational Book Award Honor Book 2002
Lissim, Susan.
Review of Brooklyn
Bridge in School Library Journal. Available
from:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0689831838//qid=1098234828/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/103-2292350-4363846?v=glance&s=books&vi=reviews. Accessed 18
October 2004
Review of Brooklyn Bridge in Publishers
Weekly. Available from:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0689831838//qid=1098234828/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/103-2292350-4363846?v=glance&s=books&vi=reviews. Accessed 18 October 2004
