Review 4: Special Effects: in Film and Television

Citation: Hamilton, Jake. Special effects: in film and television. New York, NY: DK Pub., 1998. Print

Annotation: Monsters, explosions, high-speed chases and UFOS! See how these special effects and many more are brought to life on the silver screen.

Justification For Rejection:

     While Jake Hamilton's Special effects: in film and television comes packed with audience appeal, readable and flexible information, and complimentary graphics, it lacks the ultimate resonance with developmental issues that is necessary for the Printz Award nomination. This encyclopedic take on the nonfiction world of special effects perfectly befits the subject matter. Hamilton organizes the material into readable, nonlinear subjects that allow the reader to begin or end at any page of the book. There is a logical flow to Hamilton's organization, but it does not necessitate a “front-to-back” reading. This flexibility, as well as plethora of appropriate and frequent full color images makes this book a perfect choice for reluctant readers. The subject matter may spark an interest in a variety of careers, or simply a new-found interest in nonfiction reading for younger or reluctant readers, in this way, Special effects: in film and television does address some developmental issues, but not directly or powerfully enough to be nominated.

     Also, while Hamilton makes information accessible to readers via an index and acknowledgments on the final page of the book, the works lacks a certain amount of authority. More direct documentation or footnotes may have lent authority and provided a more obvious path of future reading choices to adolescents for whom this work may serve as a “gateway” book. Also, as an unfortunate side effect of our society's rapidly progressing technology, this book is slightly outdated. In the last dozen years or so since this book was published the jump from film to digital recording was made, so the information is not up to date. Although many of the other special effects discussed are still applicable and widely used. Even though this book excels in many ways, these technical elements and the lack of a strong developmental component leave Special effects: in film and television in the “good book” category instead of the “best book” category.  

Genre: General Nonfiction