In the late 19th century, no one believed in Mr. Ferris and His Wheel (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17.99). But George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., an ambitious young mechanical engineer, knew that his idea for a star attraction at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair could rival the Eiffel Tower. Gilbert Ford’s ink and watercolor drawings illustrate Kathryn Gibbs Davis’s story of an inventor whose determination and perseverance turned skeptics into believers. After the first group braved the 20-minute ride, word quickly spread that the Monster Wheel was safe. During the 19 weeks the wheel was in operation, 1.5 million passengers rode it. Constructed of steel, powered by steam engines, and adorned with 3,000 electric light bulbs, the Monster Wheel, soon renamed the Ferris wheel, was a modern wonder. Ages 7-10. HWP