Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Post contains affiliate links; I may earn commission if you make a purchase. Opinions shared are mine.

If you’ve ever spent time with kids ages 8-12, you know that their wheels are always spinning. They come up with some pretty brilliant thoughts! Many of my students love Alan Katz’s books, so I know they’ll enjoy his new Awesome Achievers series. It’s got a touch of humor to make history even more fun to read about. Awesome Achievers in Technology debuts in August.

I love that this book is non-threatening for kids who don’t love to read. It’s full of sketched illustrations, witty jokes, and is written in a popular diary-entry format. Kids will enjoy learning the little-known facts included in the book, especially those who are interested in science and technology.

Everyone has heard the name Steve Jobs, but what about Nolan Bushnell–Jobs’s boss before the invention of Apple, and the founder of the first major video game, Pong? Many of the most relevant figures in tech history have remained in the shadows, but not any longer! From Alan Katz’s new Awesome Achievers series, Awesome Achievers in Technology gives kids a look behind the scenes at 12 lesser-known inventors whose contributions to tech are personally relevant to their lives today. Each figure is given a traditional biography but is also subject to Katz’s unique brand of silliness, with humorous elements such as imagined poems, song lyrics, and diary entries by and about the not-so-famous figure accompanying each bio.  Awesome Achievers (Running Press Kids; 8/6/2019; Paperback $11.99; Ages 8-11; 112 pages) kicks off this August with Awesome Achievers in Technology (ISBN: 978-0762463367) and Awesome Achievers in Science (ISBN: 978-0762463381) by Alan Katz and illustrated by Chris Judge. With Katz’ signature humor and extras such as illustrations, imagined diary entries for a first-person perspective, comics, poems, and personal anecdotes like the time Katz met Dr. Heimlich himself, each title brings 12 lesser-known figures to life like you’ve never seen them before.

Look for the next book in the Awesome Achievers series!

Everyone has heard the names Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, but what about Michael Collins–the third brave Apollo 11 astronaut who didn’t get to walk on the moon? Many of the most relevant figures in scientific history have remained in the shadows, but not any longer! From Alan Katz’s new Awesome Achievers series, Awesome Achievers in Science gives kids a look behind the scenes at 12 lesser-known scientists whose contributions are personally relevant to their lives today. Each figure is given a traditional biography but is also subject to Katz’s unique brand of silliness, with humorous elements such as imagined poems, song lyrics, and diary entries by or about the not-so-famous figure accompanying each bio. 

Spot illustrations throughout add to the lighthearted and appreciative humor each figure receives. Reluctant readers and budding tech enthusiasts and scientists alike will delight in this imaginative and engaging new series of laugh out loud biographies.

About the Author:

 Alan Katz is the author of many highly acclaimed children’s books, including Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs, Don’t Say That Word! OOPS!, Poems I Wrote When No One Was Looking, and The Day the Mustache Took Over and its sequel, The Day the Mustache Came Back. Alan is also a six-time Emmy-nominated writer for TV series including The Rosie O’Donnell Show, animated series Taz-Mania, Disney’s Raw Toonage and Goof Troop, the Grammy Awards and Tony Awards, and many network specials and game shows. he has also created comic books, trading card sets, web videos, TV commercials and hundreds of other special projects for kids and parents. He lives with his family in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Check out Alan’s website for more information about his work!

One lucky reader will win a copy of Awesome Achievers in Technology!  plus a $5 Amazon gift card (sent via email from Savings in Seconds.) The giveaway is open to US and CAN readers ages 18+. Void where prohibited by law. Enter on the form below. Good luck!