Junk Drawer Physics: 50 Awesome Experiments That Don't Cost a Thing

Gr 5 Up—This book is filled with practical and easy experiments that demonstrate many different principles of physics. Though it joins a crowded market of similar at-home science books, this title offers experiments that are fresh and different. The photos are illustrative and informative, making the instructions clearer and more accessible for children still working on their reading comprehension skills. The written instructions, however, are clear on their own, and the author does a great job connecting activities to principles of physics. The range of interest and engagement varies pretty widely—the pinhole camera experiment is fascinating, for instance, but the swinging wave machine requires quite a bit of setup for fairly little payoff—but that range is also a strength. Whether young scientists have a few minutes to burn or need to fill a longer stretch of time, there is an activity to suit those needs. This book would be a good addition to both school and public libraries because, during science fair season, even procrastinators with only the contents of their junk drawer handy need some inspiration. For those spending an afternoon with children who demand entertainment, this volume is just the ticket.—Trina Bolfing, Westbank Libraries, Austin, TX