STEAMed Off to China by E. B. Davidson follows Eleanor Brown, an engineer sent by Elias, CEO of ZeeComm, to Beijing to address urgent technical failures in the Cphone cellular network. Working with Wu Xiaoping and Li Xinyi from the local office, she investigates dropped calls and service disruptions at critical sites across the city, starting with a major intersection on the Third Ring Road. Their work takes them to Cphone headquarters, the flagship store, the clock tower site, and other locations, where they conduct field testing, climb rooftops, and run diagnostic equipment to pinpoint sources of interference and equipment malfunctions. As Eleanor pushes further into the investigation, she uncovers patterns that connect the technical problems to decisions inside Cphone and its supplier, Radiola, while managing the company politics surrounding the failures.

STEAMed Off to China by E. B. Davidson is a fresh and inventive novel that blends technical detail with international teamwork in a way that makes engineering feel like an adventure. Eleanor’s partnership with Wu Xiaoping and Li Xinyi draws readers into Beijing’s busy networks, rooftop cell sites, and corporate boardrooms, where persistence and ingenuity drive every breakthrough. The troubleshooting scenes, from the cracked connector at the Third Ring Road site to the repeater problem inside the Xidan Shopping Mall, are described with such accuracy that they feel both educational and energizing. Davidson’s strength lies in making radio signals, spectrum analyzers, and power amplifiers as fascinating as any mystery clue, while the camaraderie among colleagues adds a welcoming touch to the story. By the end, readers gain not only a strong appreciation for problem-solving but also for the friendships built through shared technical triumphs. Very highly recommended.

There are not many female engineers, but E. B. Davidson is one of them. In STEAMed Off to China, Ellie has been called from ZeeComm headquarters in San Diego to fly over to sort out a problem. When she arrives in Beijing, she discovers there are two more fires to fight. The author explains the problems and, using deduction and engineering and technical knowledge, the team can fix each of the areas that are losing cell phone coverage. In places, the book is a little technical, but problems and solutions are clearly explained, along with maps, diagrams, and photographs. Ellie also includes flashbacks to her early interest in technology, growing up on a farm, and being able to fix everything. She is critical of engineering schools as being too focused on theory, and this book in particular shows how out-of-the-box approaches encompass vision, judgment, and execution in problem solving. Besides the engineering breakdowns in Beijing, there are three companies all blaming each other for the faults, and since the working culture in China is so very different from the West, this also adds another dimension to the story.

In the introduction to STEAMed Off to China, E.B. Davidson states that she wrote it to inspire young people to study the STEAM subjects – science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Her troubleshooting trip to China is exciting, describing a new world of high-speed trains, different foods, and culture, with a background of technology. I liked that Ellie tells us how she was first interested in science, and she has a gift for explaining how things work in a simple way. I learned a lot about how cell phones received calls, how the radio waves worked, and something about the installations. Even for the technically challenged, this book is an eye-opener. Apart from the work side, there are many descriptions of life in China, and I found them interesting as well. An easy-to-read book. I would recommend it to older teenagers who may be considering a career, as it demonstrates what opportunities are offered in the world of engineering.

STEAMed Off to China by E. B. Davidson is an entertaining story that follows Ellie Brown, an engineer specializing in finding solutions for her company. She is sent to China for an urgent issue affecting the cellular network in several locations. Ellie is joined by Xiaoping and Xinyi, an engineering couple who welcome her and help her navigate the social, political, and logistical challenges related to their case. Together, they form a team, which includes other engineers. They utilize test phones, modified antennas, and various techniques to investigate areas with poor network coverage. Although they quickly identify the problem in the first location, the other two prove to be more challenging to resolve. By the end of their investigation, Ellie and her team uncover an illegal scheme involving the deliberate sabotaging of the network, and they must appear in court as expert witnesses.

STEAMed Off to China truly surprised me. I enjoyed the natural chemistry and banter between the characters, and I learned a lot about cellular networks and how signals are transmitted. Ellie is a likable character with a determined spirit, and she strives to explain her job in simple terms for those without an engineering background. E. B. Davidson's idea to combine art with STEM—transforming it into Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)—perfectly encapsulates this story as it incorporates Chinese cuisine, culture, history, and social elements. I initially worried that the story would be filled with technical jargon, but it proved to be engaging, filled with suspense and mystery. It provides a fun way to understand science and troubleshooting work. Overall, this is a great read, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in science, engineering, and cross-cultural experiences.

STEAMed Off to China by E. B. Davidson is an engaging and well-balanced story that combines elements of science, adventure, and problem-solving. It centers on Eleanor (Ellie) Brown, a hands-on and experienced engineer who travels to China to resolve complex cellular network issues. She dives right into her tasks and encounters an arrogant company vice president who leads with an iron fist. Despite the company’s politics, Ellie focuses on working with a dedicated team of engineers who strive to provide excellent services for their clients. Ellie’s work includes field-testing, problem-solving, and cultural exchanges, all of which help her appreciate the creative artistry involved in engineering and the importance of teamwork in keeping systems functional. As she and her engineering team tackle problems, Ellie captures the attention of higher-ups, bringing her closer to uncovering the root cause of the network issues.

STEAMed Off to China is an informative and captivating narrative that explores the complexities of problem-solving in the telecom engineering sector. The story contains flashbacks from Ellie’s childhood and work background, showing her passion for technology and science, as well as her emphasis on the significance of practical troubleshooting, teamwork, and integration in her field. Her history with ham radio plays a crucial role in her work and helps her adapt to her new environment, where she faces challenges not covered in school. Ellie navigates unfamiliar government restrictions and complicated company relationships. Her story also serves to inspire young readers—particularly girls—to pursue STEAM careers and foster a curiosity for technology. In addition to the engineering and troubleshooting aspects, the story also includes humorous moments and interesting characters that add warmth to the plot. E. B. Davidson’s narrative is smooth, with an unpredictable storyline that reflects Chinese social and work culture. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend adding it to your library, as it offers a wonderful balance of educational value and entertainment.