Jerry changed the game! How engineer Jerry Lawson revolutionized video games forever

This story of video game industry pioneer Jerry Lawson begins with his childhood, where in 1940s Queens, New York, he was an accomplished tinkerer. Emphasis is placed on his parents' focus on education and how much he loved tackling and solving engineering problems. From there, a straightforward chronology takes us through his move to Silicon Valley, where--as one of very few Black engineers--he landed at a microprocessor manufacturer and eventually partnered with them to create a video game console. Though the console ended in failure, Lawson's legacy is tied to the innovation of removable game cartridges, which back matter clarifies is a subject of some debate, though he was undeniably as influential as anyone else. More importantly, readers will understand that Lawson was a dedicated, determined, and inventive man who paved the way for video games and Black entrepreneurs, as evidenced by the quote, "I'm one of the guys, if you tell me I can't do something, I'll turn around and do it."

An African American boy who loved to tinker grew up to change the world of video games. Living in 1940s Queens, New York, Jerry Lawson loved to play with simple machines. His parents encouraged his interest in science, and after his mother gave him a shortwave radio for a Christmas gift, he became an amateur operator. As he got older and more experienced, he was able to use his talents to make repairs and build gadgets for friends. Jerry attended Queens College and the City College of New York but didn't obtain a degree; instead, he continued to learn more by tinkering on his own. In 1968 he left the New York area for Northern California, where technology was expanding. Though he often felt like an outsider, as one of the few Black engineers, he remained focused on his work. With arcade games surging in popularity, Jerry came up with a coin-operated video game called Demolition Derby. Impressed, his bosses tasked him with devising a game that could be played at home, a complicated problem to solve. Jerry ultimately came up with the concept of the removable cartridge. This lively biography of an unsung pop-culture hero shows how one person's curiosity and drive can have a huge impact. Harris' vivid illustrations and graphics complement Tate's engaging text. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Enticing and inspiring fare. (author's and illustrator's notes, timeline, glossary, bibliography) (Picture-book biography. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.