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"The entire book reads beautifully as one amazing journey from before recorded time to the present."

(School Library Journal)

Eureka! Poems about Inventors

illustrated by K. Bennett Chavez

Millbrook Press, 2002

Ages 8 & up

ISBN 0-7613-1665-5

Take a trip through time with the inventors everything from the chocolate bar to the bra. These narrative poems look into the minds of some of the world's most fascinating people (Marie Curie, Leonardo da Vinci, Johann Gutenberg), just at the moment that their creativity is about to change the world!

Listen to Joyce read from this book.

Reader's Guide (click here)

Inventor Links (click here)

Awards

Bank Street Best Book of the Year

VOYA 2002 Nonfiction Honor List

Reviews

**School Library Journal

"Sixteen poems turn into a trip through time with the people who invented some of the things that make our lives easier, better, and more enjoyable. Sidman manages to turn the voices of these people into narrative poems, just at the moment of creativity that is about to change the world . . . This is a great starting or finishing point for students researching any of these people, but the entire book reads beautifully as one amazing journey from before recorded time to the present. Grade 5 Up. "

**Booklist

"In 16 poems, mostly free verse, Sidman commemorates the best-known achievements of dozens of inventors, from the World Wide Web's Tim Berners-Lee to the prehistoric. . . woman . . .who first shaped clay into a bowl. She writes from the inventor's point of view, giving each poem a distinct voice . . . Celebrating that combination of creative insight and steadfastness that characterizes the successful inventor, the book dovetails neatly with general collections of science poetry. Grade 4-6."

**Riverbank Review

"These days, authors approach nonfiction in many creative ways to increase its appeal to young readers. This elegant volume of poems about inventors is an example of that creavity well applied . . . . "

How This Book Started . . .

This book started outside on a walk, as most of my books do. I noticed a maple seed spinning in the air--you know, the ones we sometimes call "helicopters"? I picked up the seed, noted its blade-like shape, and wondered if the inventor of the helicoptor got the idea from watching a maple seed. In fact, where DID all those inventive ideas come from? And what was it like to suddenly think of one?

After some research, I discovered a fascinating breed of people who, throughout history, were driven by their own dreams to create new ways of doing things. Some led fascinating lives and worked against incredible odds. Some were in the right place at the right time. Many thumbed their noses at societal conventions All of them worked persistently--even when they met with failure over and over.

They seemed so different from me! I loved getting inside their brains, trying to understand them, and writing from their point of view. It made me realize that all of us have a bit of inventor in us--that urge to chase a dream, to go where no one has ever been before.

from The Real McCoy

"What if I showed them how to do it,

how to keep their engines running sweet?

What if I thought of a way?

'Stoke 'er up, boy, keep 'er movin'!'

She's moving, all right.

Fire's high, ideas are flying,

greased, hot

and ready to roll."

Elijah McCoy