Written by Vivian Kirkfield and illustrated by Gilbert Ford, From Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves is a juvenile non-fiction book about twelve transportation visionaries. Brothers Joseph and Étienne Montgolfier flew like birds in a hot air balloon. Karl Drais came up with the Laufmaschine, the bicycle. George Stephenson imagined a way to transport coal and people and worked hard until he invented the locomotive. If Bertha Benz had not gotten tired of waiting for her husband, Karl Benz, to take out their gasoline-powered automobile, maybe we would not have the modern car. Eric Wickman created the interstate bus company. Robert Goddard is the father of the liquid-fuel-propelled rocket. Friends Herbert Everest and Harry Jennings changed people’s lives with the invention of the folding wheelchair. George Devol began the robotics era with his mechanical arm invention. Raye Montague dared to become an engineer and created the first ever computer program to design ships.

It’s not a surprise that From Here to There is a Junior Library Selection, considering it is packed with fascinating facts from the endpapers to the backmatter. Kirkfield’s research abilities are exemplary, and she writes history with a spark that will inspire young readers who enjoy science and social studies. Gilbert Ford’s colorful illustrations harmonize with the book’s content, mainly because the chosen color palette radiates a past dreamy vibe.

I highly recommend From Here to There, written by Vivian Kirkfield and illustrated by Gilbert Ford, to middle graders who are enthusiastic about STEM and history. It is also a must-have juvenile non-fiction book for school and public libraries.