Writer of STEM/STEAM Nonfiction Books for Kids
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AVAILABLE NOW! IN STORES & ONLINE!
Superpower?
The Wearable-Tech Revolution
Superpower?
The Wearable-Tech Revolution
Wearables are the next tech frontier! This beautifully illustrated non-fiction book will help young readers (ages 9-12) consider the pros and cons of technology. And, it may spark their curiosity in design and engineering as they read stories about real-life inventors who are unafraid to dream big. The book’s also great for STEM/ STEAM learning. Superpower? answers questions like:
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What is wearable technology? How is it changing our lives?
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What if the same technologies that help and heal us also raise tricky questions and ethical challenges?
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How do we design devices safely and ethically?
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Can innovation go too far?
Learning from you
Learning from you
To write this book, I met with young inventors, some even your age. Be prepared to be blown away by their passion for designing technology to make the world a better place and what they think we should all understand about the pros and cons of wearables.
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Elaine learns from FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Grade 8 students at Glen Ames Sr. Public school about their virtual reality project, and the upsides and downsides of technology.
AWARDS & accolades
AWARDS & accolades
National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Children’s Book Council (CBC) Best STEM Books List | Commended | 2023
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) / Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books - Middle grade | Nominated | 2024
Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom | Commended | 2023
Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Awards, |Nominated | 2024
BC Books for Schools | Commended | 2022
CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens | Commended | 2023
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) | Finalist |2023
Reviews & endorsements
reviews & endorsements
“I was floored when I saw this book! I'm creating a new social studies curriculum for grade 6 students and an overarching inquiry question in one of our units is, 'Is the power unleashed by technology worth it?' Superpower? The Wearable-Tech Revolution is a perfect resource for this inquiry.
While at first glance Superpower? might seem like ‘just a science book,’ the book goes way beyond the science of this technology to explore the critical need for moral, principled, ethical, and diverse humans to guide its design and usage.
As a social studies teacher, I look forward to using this book to delve into inquiry questions like, ‘Just because we can, should we?’ and ‘Is the power unleashed by technology worth it?’ Superpower? is detailed and introduces the reader to technical language, but it is accessible and doesn’t lose sight of its middle-grade audience. I look forward to sharing Superpower? not just with my students, but with any colleague interested in STEAM, social sciences, or issues of diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion.”
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER
“Best STEM Books K-12! This book showcases past and present examples on how technological innovation has helped people thrive in our daily life accompanied by beautiful illustrations and questions on ethical issues on technology use. The Best STEM Books emphasize real-world issues that cross disciplinary boundaries.”
NSTA/CBC Best STEM Books Committee
“A readable guide for valuable information...Kachala presents the information skillfully for her target audience… Fun illustrations and photographs are scattered throughout the book to support the text.”
School Library Journal (SLJ)
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"...Superpower? aims to inspire a new generation of wearable-tech creators, while reminding aspiring designers to consider the potential pitfalls and misuses of their work as an essential part of the development process.”
Marc S. Lavine
SCIENCE.ORG
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“An accessible introduction to a complex topic…A valuable read for anyone seeing to better understand wearable technology.”
Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News
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“Even non-techies will be hooked, especially since the endless possibilities of wearable technology are definitely scope for the imagination.”
Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)
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“Presents a detailed examination of not only the superpower possibilities of human-machine symbiosis and how wearables can assist people, but also challenges the reader to also consider the ethics and implications involved.”
BC Books for Schools
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“With wearable technology being all the rage these days, this book will help kids discover not only how electronic wearables can help people survive and thrive, but also the challenges and ethics surrounding this next tech frontier. Students will learn about the engineers and inventors working on these new technologies..."
TEACH Magazine
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"Even inventors need a little inspiration sometimes and this book will provide it. It is full of stories about scientists, some of whom are teenagers, who saw a problem and used technology to solve it...The colorful photos, charts, and lots of white space make the text so easy on the eyes that even non-techies will be hooked, especially since the endless possibilities of wearable technology are definitely scope for the imagination."
Children's Literature, Darlene Ivy (Reviewer)
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"An awesome STEM title for young readers...The book does a good job of challenging readers to think critically about wearable technology and its implications..."
49th Kids, Top Grade CanLit for the Classroom
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"As a STEM advocate, I absolutely loved Superpower? The Wearable-Tech Revolution. The Wearable-Tech Revolution! Elaine Kachala does a fantastic job of writing an engaging middle grade book that features inventors working on the latest wearable technologies. I appreciate the fun tone of the book and I especially love the fourth chapter entitled ‘Are We Crossing the Line?’ where she talks about the ethics of technology. This is an important topic that young readers should also think about. I highly recommend.”
Lydia Lukidis
"Gobsmackingly good!...If you and your kids read one nonfiction book this year, this should be it.”
Great Books for Kids, Michelle Marcotte (Reviewer)
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“#RWYK Certified Great Read! Congratulations to Elaine Kachala!! Our latest certified great read! Kids love wearable technology. This book gives them the information they need to get inspired and to change the future.”
Jed Doherty, host of Reading With Your Kid Podcast
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"...a thorough and thoughtful study of the exciting convergence of technology and humanity! What makes this book so exceptional is the easy-to-read language and striking illustrations, which makes it a perfect read for kids, teens, and adults....The STEM focus of the book is complemented by the very real connections tech advancement has to social justice, representation, equity, and diversity..."
Heather Evans
PARENT & TEACHER
“This is an engaging, informative book that provides middle years’ readers with everything they need and want to know about wearable technology… The author effectively outlines ethical questions surrounding technology and the importance of responsible design…Kachala reminds us that “technology is moving faster now that at any time in history” and young readers are sure to be fascinated – and well-informed – about wearable technology that’s on, in, or attached to the body…”
Dr Larry Recommends
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"Superpower? The Wearable-Tech Revolution provides an eye opening discussion at how the world has changed and will continue to change when technology is attached to our bodies..."
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"Imagine you are trying to describe a helicopter to someone who has never seen a plane, train, car, truck, or motorcycle! That is what sometimes happens when we try to introduce exoskeleton technology out of context. Superpower? The Wearable-Tech Revolution does a wonderful job of presenting exos in the context of wearable technology, making them significantly easier to understand and appreciate."
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News
News
JULY 2024
​Thank you Carly & Adam for inviting me to participate in your awesome STEM Teacher Summit! It was my pleasure connecting with such amazing STEM teachers.
