Make a theater and movie set

Gr 5--9--In this series, nine to 11 related mini-projects can be put together to make a fun, large, multicomponent project or made piecemeal as the mood strikes. STEM concepts permeate these books: A gravity-powered fountain in Make a Biosphere and Mini Garden is ingenious and relatively foolproof, as is the drawbridge in Make a Castle. Precise digital drawings look almost like diagrams, making them good support for the copious (up to 15 steps), easy-to-follow instructions. This is beneficial for detailed subjects like seed heads; lines indicate where to cut. Builders are encouraged to survey their surroundings for items that can be used as raw materials alongside standard craft supplies (hot glue, string, straws). Make a Biosphere and Mini Garden asks for potting soil, seeds, and sand, but even these special purchases will not break the bank. VERDICT Field-tested projects for weeks of fun.