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araym007's review against another edition
5.0
This book is great for boys and girls. It has a variety of activities, so you are guaranteed to find some to please any kid (or adult!) The information in the passages is concise and easy-to-understand. As a tutor, I use this book to help get kids actively involved in reading. The short entries are perfect for reading through and showing younger readers how to get information from each word/sentence/paragraph etc. Fun all around!
wrentheblurry's review against another edition
3.0
GENRE: Non-fiction, handbook, history.
SUMMARY: Illustrated and written in a nostalgic style, this book is a reference guide for boys a variety of subjects, from building tree houses and go-carts, to skipping stones, to first aid and the fifty states.
EVALUATION: This title contains a wealth of entertainment and knowledge within its covers. While not every boy will need or want to know how to skin and cook a rabbit, that's alright. The reader can easily skip over what does not interest them, and dive into what does. Each section provides a fine overview, though since it is just a taste of the material, they may inspire a tween to seek out more detailed and specific sources on subjects they particularly enjoy. My personal favorite section is the one doling out advice on girls. It is helpful, largely accurate, yet still humorous.
WHY I WOULD INCLUDE IT: There is something for everyone in this book. As mentioned above, it could also be useful as a springing-off point for other non-fiction (or fiction) titles. The information is useful, and told in a manner that tweens will find appealing. In addition, a number of the projects are ones that the reader may wish to take on with their parent(s), and books that provide a potential bonding experience are a good thing. A book aimed towards girls is available as well.
READER'S ANNOTATION: Chock-full of information useful to boys, the reader can learn about the mysteries of girls and how to play poker, to name just two.
ITEMS WITH SIMILAR APPEAL:
• The American Boy's Handy Book: What to Do and How to Do It, Centennial Edition by Daniel Carter Beard.
• American Medical Association Boy's Guide to Becoming a Teen by American Medical Association.
• How to Build Treehouses, Hut and Forts by David Stiles.
SUMMARY: Illustrated and written in a nostalgic style, this book is a reference guide for boys a variety of subjects, from building tree houses and go-carts, to skipping stones, to first aid and the fifty states.
EVALUATION: This title contains a wealth of entertainment and knowledge within its covers. While not every boy will need or want to know how to skin and cook a rabbit, that's alright. The reader can easily skip over what does not interest them, and dive into what does. Each section provides a fine overview, though since it is just a taste of the material, they may inspire a tween to seek out more detailed and specific sources on subjects they particularly enjoy. My personal favorite section is the one doling out advice on girls. It is helpful, largely accurate, yet still humorous.
WHY I WOULD INCLUDE IT: There is something for everyone in this book. As mentioned above, it could also be useful as a springing-off point for other non-fiction (or fiction) titles. The information is useful, and told in a manner that tweens will find appealing. In addition, a number of the projects are ones that the reader may wish to take on with their parent(s), and books that provide a potential bonding experience are a good thing. A book aimed towards girls is available as well.
READER'S ANNOTATION: Chock-full of information useful to boys, the reader can learn about the mysteries of girls and how to play poker, to name just two.
ITEMS WITH SIMILAR APPEAL:
• The American Boy's Handy Book: What to Do and How to Do It, Centennial Edition by Daniel Carter Beard.
• American Medical Association Boy's Guide to Becoming a Teen by American Medical Association.
• How to Build Treehouses, Hut and Forts by David Stiles.
kendralu's review against another edition
4.0
Although this book is written for boys, I found it very enjoyable and full of information that was, if not useful, very interesting.
deeparcher's review against another edition
5.0
Things that boys do are by nature dangerous. And we are generally averse to reading instructions. But this was a fun book to read. I was pleased at how much of it I've done or knew already. Boys are awesome.
cnewbs's review against another edition
3.0
Fun read that takes me back to days where we all played outside and loved every minute of it.
charliezegers's review against another edition
3.0
I'm enjoying this to no end... but I still don't understand Cricket.
noirbettie's review against another edition
5.0
This is the Books of Knowledge and American Boys' Handy Book rolled into one and updated for the modern age.
zellian's review against another edition
2.0
I got the Audiobook version, if you're wanting to read this book I would suggest to instead get the physical book. I found it was a lot of information all at once and there were some parts where it seemed like they had visuals that had been provided that I unfortunately did not have. It feels like a book you read in parts, not something where you sit down and burn through it in a couple of hours.
As an audiobook it can come off as a bit "Info-dumpy" as they go through history of men in wars and Europe, to clouds and astrology and some great lines from Shakespeare's work. It's a book filled more with interesting facts, trivia and stories. Though some of these things are now outdated, you still might learn a thing or two. Its also centralized around Europe and UK, might have some readers outside find some parts don't apply to them or hard to relate to.
I would reccomend this for Pre-Teen and up, or for those younger they may need an adult every now and then as I feel like it might need to be broken down a bit more for some.
As an audiobook it can come off as a bit "Info-dumpy" as they go through history of men in wars and Europe, to clouds and astrology and some great lines from Shakespeare's work. It's a book filled more with interesting facts, trivia and stories. Though some of these things are now outdated, you still might learn a thing or two. Its also centralized around Europe and UK, might have some readers outside find some parts don't apply to them or hard to relate to.
I would reccomend this for Pre-Teen and up, or for those younger they may need an adult every now and then as I feel like it might need to be broken down a bit more for some.
estherbookster's review against another edition
3.0
I received this as a free book, and there's some helpful techniques insides. However, it's very dated, ableist, and disqualifies queer identification. I wouldn't recommend this unless you're prewarned about what to expect. Like I said, very dated.