Makerspace Books: Biographies

In 1843, 14-year old Hanson Gregory left his family home in Rockport, Maine and set sail as a cabin boy on the schooner Achorn, looking for high stakes adventure on the high seas. Little did he know that a boat load of hungry sailors, coupled with his knack for creative problem-solving, would yield one of the world's most prized pastries. At long last, here's the hole truth about the invention of the donut!

Dr. John Jeffries and his pilot, Jean-Pierre Blanchard, each want to be the first man to fly from one country to another, across the English Channel. There's only one problem: they can't stand each other! But impending disaster can make anyone work together. Inspired by the true story of the first international flight.

It's monsoon season in Bangladesh, and that means Iqbal's mother must cook indoors over an open flame, even though the smoke is making her and the family sick. When Iqbal learns about the district science fair, with the theme of sustainability, he is determined to win first prize. With the cash reward, he can buy a pipe stove that draws smoke out of the house. Then Iqbal is struck with an ingenious idea! For his science fair project, he will build a cook stove that doesn't produce smoke. He researches solar cookers and finds the winning design - one that harnesses the sun's energy and do away with those harmful fumes. But the competition at the science fair is fierce - will Iqbal bring home the prize? Award-winning author Elizabeth Suneby offers a child-centered look at a global health problem that affects more than three billion people.

Chronicles the life and achievements of the NASA engineer and inventor, from his childhood to his accidental invention of the Super Soaker water gun.