What This Book Is About
Rosie Revere is a brilliant young engineer with a secret: she builds incredible inventions out of everyday junk—cheese-spray fans, helium pants, hot-dog dispensers—but she hides them all under her bed because she's terrified of failing in front of people. That changed when her great-great-aunt Rose (a real-life Rosie the Riveter who built airplanes during World War II) taught her the most important lesson an engineer can learn: every failed attempt is just a step closer to success.
Now Aunt Rose's old friends, the Raucous Riveters, need Rosie's help. These spirited women made a pact decades ago to do something remarkable together, but they never got the chance. Time is running out, and they need an engineer. Rosie wants to help, but the challenge is enormous—and her fear of failure hasn't completely disappeared. With her best friends Iggy Peck and Ada Twist by her side, Rosie must learn that the greatest inventions don't come from getting it right the first time, but from having the courage to try again. Bursting with David Roberts' charming illustrations, this is the first book in the beloved Questioneers chapter book series.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
Rosie Revere is a STEM role model wrapped in an irresistible story. The book celebrates engineering, problem-solving, and the scientific method in a way that feels like pure fun rather than a lesson. For international school students who are immersed in inquiry-based learning, Rosie's approach to invention—ask questions, prototype, fail, iterate, try again—mirrors exactly what they do in their STEM and design thinking classes.
The book's deeper message is about growth mindset: the idea that ability is built through effort, not born from talent. Rosie's fear of failure is something nearly every child can relate to, and watching her push through that fear with the support of friends and mentors is both encouraging and empowering. At 144 pages with a Lexile of 520L, the book is perfectly pitched for A1-A2 readers who are ready for their first real chapter book adventure.
Reading Level Guide
Building reading foundations? Start with picture books and simple labeled stories.
The sweet spot. Accessible for A1 readers; A2 readers will read fluently.
A quick, easy read. Great for building speed and confidence.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
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