Best Non Fiction Books for Engineers (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Engineers read to learn how things work. We compared the best non fiction books for engineers by engineering fit, age, pages and value, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Awesome Engineering Activities	9.8/10	Buy
2	Cardboard Box Engineering	9.8/10	Buy
3	Girls Think of Everything	9.8/10	Buy
4	The History of the Computer	9.8/10	Buy
5	ABCs of Engineering	9.7/10	Buy

1

Awesome Engineering Activities

Christina Schul·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

50+ STEAM engineering activities, 198 pages, age 5-9.

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Pros

• 198 pages
• Age 5-9
• 50+ projects

Cons

• 198 pages, longest
• 2019 edition
• No warranty term is stated

2

Cardboard Box Engineering

Jonathan Adolph·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Cardboard engineering projects, 176 pages, age 7-10.

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Pros

• 176 pages
• Age 7-10
• Cardboard projects

Cons

• 176 pages, not 198
• 2020 edition
• No warranty term is stated

3

Girls Think of Everything

Catherine Thimmesh·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Stories of women inventors, 128 pages, age 8-11.

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Pros

• 128 pages
• Age 8-11
• Women inventors

Cons

• 128 pages, not 198
• 2002 edition
• No warranty term is stated

4

The History of the Computer

Rachel Ignotofsky·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An illustrated history of computers, 128 pages, age 10-17.

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Pros

• 128 pages
• Age 10-17
• Computer history

Cons

• 128 pages, not 198
• Age 10-17 only
• No warranty term is stated

5

ABCs of Engineering

Chris Ferrie·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A STEM board book of engineering words, 26 pages, age 1-4.

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Pros

• 26 pages
• Age 1-4
• Board book

Cons

• 26 pages, shortest
• Age 1-4 only
• No warranty term is stated

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More picks to compare

• How Everything Works147 pages, age 7-12.Check on Amazon
• I Want to Be an Engineer32 pages, age 4-8.Check on Amazon
• My First Book About Engineering48 pages, age 8-11.Check on Amazon
• Brain Teasers for Engineers146 pages, 100 puzzles.Check on Amazon
• The Intentional Engineer166 pages, career guide.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Gear Score weighs engineering fit, build, value, safety and warranty. Safety counts only where the listing states safety-relevant features. No listing here states a warranty term. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best non fiction books for engineers

Age

Age here runs 1 to 17. For more, see our book club books.

Pages

Pages here run 26 to 198.

Projects

Projects here run stories to 50+ builds.

Before you buy

• Match the reading age.
• Check the print length.
• Pick projects or history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the most projects?

Awesome Engineering Activities with 50+.

Which is best for toddlers?

ABCs of Engineering for age 1-4.

Which covers computers?

The History of the Computer.

Still deciding? Our top pickAwesome Engineering Activities

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Related lists

See every book club book list and all fiction lists.

More lists: engineering books for teens and non-fiction books for kids.