Why Humans Build Up by Gregor Craigie
In his nonfiction book, Why Humans Build Up; The Rise of Towers, Temples and Skyscrapers, author Gregor Craigie walks the readers through the evolution of these great monuments. In the beginning, these buildings were erected for safety and religious purposes. Now the main focus is to build tall towers for population booms. Some newer skyscrapers are even built to reduce pollution and help battle climate change. Each chapter explains this progression from safety to sustainability. The author anchors the readers’ learning by citing well-known high-rise structures such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, The Eiffel Tower, and The Empire State Building. In addition, the author stretches the readers’ learning by discussing other lesser known structures. These include The Lighthouse of Alexandria, The Shanghai Tower, Hong Kong High-Rise, and The Manitoba Hydro Palace just to name a few.
Both the illustrations and the photos included enhance Mr. Craigie’s story and assist the readers in understanding the content. The language is clear, and the author includes a glossary for those who need it. Consequently, it is a valuable resource for students who read below grade level, or those who are reluctant to read. In addition, students who are fascinated by history and architecture will enjoy this book. It is similar to some of David Macauley's older books such as Cathedral (Clarion Books, 1981), Castle (Clarion Books, 1982) and Pyramid (Clarion Books, 1982). Both authors have a way of using both language and illustrations needed to help the readers learn.
In summation, Why Humans Build Up: The Rise of Towers, Temples and Skyscrapers is recommended for audiences in grades 6 - 12. It would be an asset for both school and public libraries.
