Author is famous basketball player. Within a story, two modern children learn about 16 inventors, Dr Henry T Sampson, Granville T Woods, Lewis Howard Latimer, Dr Mark Dean, Dr Valerie L Thomas, James E West2, Frederick McKinley Jones, Joseph Lee, Lloyd A Crum, Daniel Hale Williams, Dr Charles Drew, Dr Percy Lavon Julian, Alfred L Cralle, Lonnie Johnson, Garrett Morgan.

This book tells of African American inventors who made great contributions to society. The authors takes us through a journey where two young girls find out that the amazing accomplishments of the inventors.This book could be used in social studies where students learn about inventors and the accomplishment of African Americans across history. ( )

There's something for everyone in this book. It's co-written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, it includes a narrative with bickering 13 year-old twins, there are pictures, fold-out "notepads", text boxes with biographies, a few graphic narratives, and lots and lots of interesting facts. While aimed at middle school students, sometimes the narrative seemed more suited to a younger audience (a magical handyman?). Nonetheless, the information presented on the many African-American's whose inventions and innovations have impacted our history and our everyday lives is fascinating and calls into question why they haven't been featured before. Among almost all their stories runs the theme of overcoming hardship to help others. I also like that the book explains the evolving nature of inventions/innovations; each person is standing on the shoulders of those who came before.

A young reader's book that highlights the contributions of African Americans to science, medicine and technology, in the context of a story about a brother and sister helping to clean up an old house they will be moving into. Cleverly done. ( )

Too many kids are growing up unaware of some of science's important contributors and innovators. This book seeks to remedy that in part with mini-bios of black inventors and the significant impacts they've made (blood bank, heart surgery, the personal computer, 3-D, potato chips, even the Super Soaker toy). The narrative about the kids and Mr. Mital that string the biographies together is a bit awkward, but overall it's an attractive package that will appeal to kids interested in science, black history, and interesting facts. ( )