Hansen, Dustin. Game On!

Hansen, Dustin. Game On!  Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends  2016  352p  $19.99  Hardback  ISBN 978-1-250-08095-0    ms/hs  Nonfiction  E-BN 

Game On! explains the fast and furious growth and evolution of video games.   It is the perfect choice for library patrons who are into video games. Even the casual gaming fan will find something of interest in it. At 352 pages, the size may deter the reluctant reader, but a few minutes spent perusing the book may change his/her mind. Key games that changed the field are included, such as Pong, John Madden Football, Tetris, Mortal Combat, Super Mario Brothers, Grand Theft Auto, Wii, Farmville, and Angry Birds.  Stories of successes and failures, trivia, pictures, lists, and other information are packed into this book. A must-have for any middle- or high-school collection.  It is highly recommended.

Summary: Game On! explains the fast and furious growth and evolution of video games.  Highly recommended.

Video games                                           --Stephanie Pennucci

Kaplan, Arie. The Awesome Inner Workings of Video Games.

Kaplan, Arie.  The Awesome Inner Workings of Video Games.  Lerner/Graphic Universe/Milbrook/21st Century/Carolroda/DarbyCreek/Stoke Books  2014  32p     ISBN 978-1-4677-1250-7      series: Shockzone Games and Gamers  elem/ms     E-BN  Nonfiction 

This profusely and colorfully illustrated book will attract anyone interested in video games.  A brief history of game devices is included, with text that explains computer terminology, such as “kernel”, “CPU”, “HDMI”, and “RAM”, to mention just a few of the terms presented.  As with any technology, there is always a chance that this book may become dated quickly, but for the current gamer, this book stays up-to-date and even looks to the future of what video gaming will evolve into.  Written in a conversational tone, this book will appeal to the computer nerd as well as the gamer who just wants to know how the action of the game happens.  There is only one caveat: where are the girls in the photos?  Girls are increasingly becoming users of game devices and deserve a presence in books about video games. 

Shockzone Games and Gamers includes six titles loaded with colorful illustrations.  For the gamers of the world, this series provides a look at the history, computer programming involved, careers, and benefits of video games.  It is a winner for all book collections. Gr 3+

Summary: This book provides a programmers’ viewpoint on how video games operate. It is perfect for the inquisitive student who wants to know the history of game development and terminology used by computer programmers. Grades 3-8.            

Video Games                                                --Lois McNicol

Wyckoff, Edwin Brit. The Guy Who Invented Home Video Games: Ralph Baer

Wyckoff, Edwin Brit. The Guy Who Invented Home Video Games: Ralph Baer
Enslow 2010 32p 22.60 978-0-7660-3450-1
elem E-BNS Genius At Work! Great Inventor Biog


Biographical look at the inventor of the home video game. He dared to ask “What else can a TV do?” His prototype opened the door to the home video game industry. Rudolf Heinrich Baer was born in Germany in 1922. Persecuted as Jews, the family escaped to Holland then America. His name was changed to Ralph. Seeing an advertisement for radio and television repairmen, Ralph took the correspondence course. There was good work during W.W.II when new equipment could not be purchased. After serving in the army, Baer moved on to learning about television and worked in military electronics. While waiting for an engineer, he drew the technical concept for a video game controller. The first prototype was called the Brown Box. Magnavox bought the rights and sold it as the Odyssey game system. His next invention was Simon. Others have followed. In 2006 Baer received the National Medal of Honor for Technology.
This text includes a brief glossary, a list of both book and web site resources, and an index. The photographs enhance the text. This gives a good introduction to a little known inventor.
Very highly recommended for upper elementary grades. Theal, Joan