Artificial intelligence, robots, navigating the internet, and moving vehicles are the primary subjects in this season’s technology and machines titles. Readers will learn of innovations in technology and how to keep safe online and will be introduced to various kinds of vehicles. Valuable information is presented that will attract browsers and report writers.

Elementary

Andrews, E.C. Pulleys. ISBN 9781534550766.
––––. Wheels. ISBN 9781534550858.
Holmes, Kirsty. Inclined Planes. ISBN 9781534550704.
––––. Levers. ISBN 9781534550735.
––––. Screws. ISBN 9781534550797.
––––. Wedges. ISBN 9781534550827.
ea vol: 24p. (Machines Made Simple). Greenhaven/KidHaven. Aug. 2025. Tr $26.23.
Gr 1-3–The thread drives a screw forward when the screw is twisted. Axes, knives, and spatulas are examples of wedges. Wheels are round objects that allow things to roll. These are examples of the facts provided about simple machines in this series for young readers. Each volume describes the subject in detail and provides numerous examples with colorful photographs. Presented in a straightforward manner, these narratives ensure that readers will have a better understanding of how these simple tools work. These are great introductions to a well-trodden topic in series nonfiction. VERDICT The titles are informative and serviceable, consider where collections need updating.

Arnold, Quinn. Police Cars. ISBN 9798889894322.
Beltowski, Grace. Aircraft Carriers. ISBN 9798889892090.
––––. Bombers. ISBN 9798889894278.
Murray, Laura K. Fighter Jets. ISBN 9798889894285.
––––. Tanks. ISBN 9798889894353.
Riggs, Kate. Ambulances. ISBN 9798889893196.
––––. Battleships. ISBN 9798889893219.
––––. Fire Trucks. ISBN 9798889894292.
––––. Indy Cars. ISBN 9798889894308.
––––. Motorcycles. ISBN 9798889894315.
––––. Rescue Boats. ISBN 9798889894339.
––––. Stock Cars. ISBN 9798889894346.
ea vol: 24p. (Marvels). Creative Company. Jul. 2025. Tr $35.70.
K-Gr 2–Young readers are introduced to various vehicles in these brief but colorful volumes. Simple facts, like an ambulance takes people to the hospital, or fighter jets are military planes that fight other planes, are shared in straightforward sentences. In addition to descriptions of the vehicles there is information on their purpose and the people who operate them. The narratives are clear and appropriate for the targeted grade levels. Diagrams are featured in each volume. However, the strengths of these titles lie in the colorful photographs; they will be the primary draw for enthusiasts. VERDICT Selectors will want to consider these newer titles, especially where there is high demand.

Crane, Cody. Click, Swipe, Learn: Skills for the Digital World. ISBN 9781546178507.
––––. Surf Smart: Staying Safe Online. ISBN 9781546178187.
––––. What Is Artificial Intelligence? ISBN 9781546178217.
Vizcarra, Natasha. Robots Helping Humans. ISBN 9781546178477.
ea vol: 48p. (A True Book: Our Digital World). Scholastic/Children’s Pr. Sept. 2025. Tr $31.00.
Gr 3-5–Digital literacy, the roles of robots, online safety, and artificial intelligence are examined in these four volumes about navigating the digital world. Readers learn how to identify valid websites for research while remaining aware of bias. The many uses of robots, from vacuum cleaners to firefighters are explored, and safety tips, such as creating original passwords and refraining from putting too much personal information online, are outlined. Artificial Intelligence gives an overview of the technology along with its pros and cons. All four volumes are presented in an accessible format accompanied by photographs; readers will appreciate the pictures of modern robots. The information provided is valuable and current. VERDICT These serviceable volumes will be of value, selectors should consider based on need.

Dickmann, Nancy & Supriya Sahai. AI: Good or Bad? ISBN 9781835720424.
––––. Building AI. ISBN 9781835720431.
––––. Humans vs AI. ISBN 9781835720448.
––––. Types of AI. ISBN 9781835720455.
––––. Using AI. ISBN 9781835720462.
––––. What Is AI? ISBN 9781835720479.
ea vol: 24p. (Science Starters). Brown Bear. Jul. 2025. Tr $35.70.
Gr 2-4–These six volumes focus on artificial intelligence. AI Good or Bad explains the advantages of AI. It can do dangerous jobs for humans, such as space exploration, while pointing out it can also make mistakes. Humans vs AI explores how AI is different from human brains, emphasizing its inability to understand emotion. What Is AI focuses on the complex nature of AI and how it can analyze data faster than the human brain. Colorful pages and accompanying photographs complement the straightforward text, making these volumes easily digestible. Artificial intelligence is more and more a part of everyday life; these titles are valuable additions to most collections. VERDICT These current accounts of different aspects of artificial intelligence should be considered by selectors in school and public libraries.

Gifford, Clive. Being Healthy Online. ISBN 9781538399743.
––––. Coding Online. ISBN 9781538399774.
––––. Going Online. ISBN 9781538399804.
––––. Having Fun Online. ISBN 9781538399835.
––––. Learning Online. ISBN 9781538399866.
––––. Staying Safe Online. ISBN 9781538399897.
ea vol: 32p. (Computer Kids). Rosen/Windmill. Aug. 2025. Tr $28.93.
Gr 2-4–Employing simple, direct language and dinosaur narrators, these volumes explain various aspects of computers and their uses. Readers learn how coding creates computer programs. They are also introduced to some fun things to do online and given information as basic as how “going online” means searching websites. Titles like Healthy Online and Safe Online give readers tips for best practices while using the internet, such as how to avoid eyestrain and muscle stiffness, or spam, viruses, and strangers. Colorful illustrations are interspersed with the text. While some content overlaps (safety is a topic referenced in all of them), the information is helpful, and the presentation is designed to hold the attention of the target audience. Fun facts, like that a Boeing 787 contains 6.5 million lines of code, help provide context. VERDICT These titles are excellent introductions to computers and usage and will prove valuable additions to school and public libraries.

Schuh, Mari. BMW. ISBN 9798896620112.
––––. Corvette. ISBN 9798896620143.
––––. Ferrari. ISBN 9798896620174.
––––. Jaguar. ISBN 9798896620204.
––––. Lamborghini. ISBN 9798896620235.
––––. Porsche. ISBN 9798896620266.
ea vol: 24p. (Vroom!). Jump!/Bullfrog. Aug. 2025. Tr $29.99.
K-Gr 2–A Jaguar has smooth lines, a Lamborghini is low to the ground, and a Porsche has the engine at the rear. These and other basic facts are presented in this series, along with colorful photographs of each vehicle. Readers also learn where the cars come from: BMW and Porsche come from Germany; Lamborghinis and Ferraris hail from Italy. The first Corvette was made in Michigan in 1953, while the first Jaguar was produced in England in 1935. These titles provide perfect introductions to sports cars for budding enthusiasts, but the real attraction is the bright photographs that are full of colorful, sporty vehicles, including some 2024 and 2025 models. VERDICT Selectors will want to consider adding these titles due to their currency.

Thielges, Alissa. Dragsters. ISBN 9798892004817.
––––. Hot Rods. ISBN 9798892004824.
––––. Indy Cars. ISBN 9798892004831.
––––. Lowriders. ISBN 9798892004848.
––––. Monster Trucks. ISBN 9798892004855.
––––. Stock Cars. ISBN 9798892004862.
ea vol: 16p. (Spot Motorsports). Amicus. Jul. 2025. Tr $31.40.
Gr 2-4–Brief facts about racing and show vehicles are interspersed with color photographs in this uneven series. The narratives are simple and straightforward, and children are encouraged to extend their reading by looking for tires, engines, and places these vehicles would be seen, such as drag strips. However, the brevity of information means that readers will be left with more questions than answers. Those only interested in photographs will find them attractive, but there are many other books on these vehicles that are more informative. VERDICT Though the pictures are appealing, the scant information provided makes these volumes of little value to those interested in these motor vehicles.

Upper Elementary to Middle School

Clark, Katie. Choosing Online Sources. ISBN 9798765668245.
––––. Dealing with Online Bullies. ISBN 9798765668252.
––––. Playing Online Games. ISBN 9798765668269.
––––. Understanding AI. ISBN 9798765668283.
––––. Using Mobile Devices. ISBN 9798765668290.
Kingsley, Dan. Using Social Media. ISBN 9798765668276.
ea vol: 32p. (Digital Safety Smarts (Alternator Books ®)). Lerner. Aug. 2025. Tr $30.65.

Gr 3-6–Using websites, social media, artificial intelligence, games, and mobile devices in a responsible, safe manner is the theme in these six informative volumes. Choosing Online Sources provides tips for determining the validity of information sites online and how to determine reliable information. Dealing with Online Bullies examines the differences between teasing and bullying while providing suggestions for dealing with cyberbullies. Risks, such as addiction, are related in Playing Online Games, as well as admonitions on fairness in play. Issues, such as copyright, plagiarism, maintaining privacy settings, along with encouraging a positive digital footprint are also addressed. These titles are informative and will be helpful to elementary school readers who must learn the skills necessary for navigating our digital world. VERDICT These titles will be useful in school and public library collections, but selectors should consider the gaps in their current collections.

Gifford, Clive. AI. ISBN 9781978545397.
––––. Big Data. ISBN 9781978545427.
––––. Dinosaurs. ISBN 9781978545458.
––––. Gross Tech. ISBN 9781978545489.
––––. Robots. ISBN 9781978545519.
––––. Space. ISBN 9781978545540.
ea vol: 32p. (Super Tech). Enslow. Aug. 2025. Tr $26.93.
Gr 4-6–This series introduces big idea science concepts to readers with relatable or fascinating facts. Artificial Intelligence robots can accurately clone pigs. Computerized tomography scans provide 3D views of fossilized dinosaur eggs. Garbage sorters separate recyclable materials from waste, and a robot fish filters microplastics out of water. These are just a few of the facts related in these informative volumes that examine modern and future technology. Pictures and diagrams accompany the texts, and they combine to explain these technological advances in a digestible way. How robots and other machines work along with their actual purpose are presented. VERDICT These are accessible and current.

Gifford, Clive. Eco-Robots. ISBN 9781499454376.
––––. Robot Explorers. ISBN 9781499454406.
––––. Robot Helpers. ISBN 9781499454437.
––––. Super Smart Robots. ISBN 9781499454468.
ea vol: 32p. (Robographics). Rosen/PowerKids. Aug. 2025. Tr $27.93.
Gr 4-7–Amazing robots and their various abilities and uses are presented in these informative and enlightening titles. Pictures of the robots, mostly drawings with some photographs, are accompanied by texts describing their composition and functions. Interesting statistics are provided—solar-powered Ecorobotix cut the use of herbicides by 90 percent, the Parker Solar Probe travels 244,226 miles per hour, and completely autonomous cars contain over one billion lines of code. Presented in an attractive graphic format with pertinent information, these volumes will be valuable to those interested in developing technology, and report writers will find them very helpful. VERDICT A good choice for both browsers and serious researchers.

Orr, Tamra. ATVs. ISBN 9798892605632.
––––. Dirt Bikes. ISBN 9798892605649.
––––. Dune Buggies. ISBN 9798892605656.
––––. Jeeps. ISBN 9798892605670.
––––. Military Vehicles. ISBN 9798892605663.
––––. UTVs. ISBN 9798892605687.
ea vol: 32p. (Off-Roading Vehicles). Mitchell Lane. Aug. 2025. lib. ed. $34.29.
Gr 3-6–The history of a variety of off-roading vehicles is traced in this series, and interesting trivia is presented about each type. The dune buggy inspired the NASA lunar rover; the Jeep Cherokee has won awards for best four-wheeler and the longest ramp to dirt jump of a dirt bike and is 425 feet. Colorful photographs accompany the dense text. Safety tips are included, but some readers will find them to be didactic. While they do not present much new information compared to similar series on the market, these titles will be of use to those with interest in the topics. VERDICT These volumes should be considered only where vehicle collections need refreshing.

Storm, Marysa. 12 Questions About Online Gaming. ISBN 9781644668177.
Ventura, Marne. 12 Questions About Artificial Intelligence. ISBN 9781644668146.
––––. 12 Questions About Cyberbullying. ISBN 9781644668153.
––––. 12 Questions About Digital Footprints. ISBN 9781644668160.
––––. 12 Questions About Social Media. ISBN 9781644668191.
ea vol: 48p. (Tech Smarts). Black Rabbit/Top Rank. Jul. 2025. Tr $44.25.
Gr 4-8–How to navigate modern technology in a responsible manner is the theme of these informative volumes. Presented in question-and-answer format, each volume satisfies readers’ curiosity about artificial intelligence, cyberbullying, digital footprints, online gaming, online identity and privacy, and social media. These straightforward narratives are comprehensive and contain statistics, such as the average American spends seven hours a week playing video games, and in 2024, 64 percent of the world’s population was active on social media. These titles will be ideal for report writers. VERDICT Given the importance of technology in today’s world, these volumes will prove valuable to public and school library collections. Report writers will find them especially useful.

“Computer Kids” (Rosen/Windmill) provides a nice introduction to computing for a young audience. “Robographics” (Rosen), “Science Starters” (Brown Bear), and “Super Tech” (Enslow) will encourage children to stay updated on the evolution of artificial intelligence and robots. Young readers will appreciate the pictures and prose in Creative Company’s “Marvels.”

FALL 2025 SERIES MADE SIMPLE REVIEWS