The quality books reviewed here will do more than inform, they will inspire kids to pursue knowledge and perhaps even develop a life-long interest in science. Many hot-button topics are covered, mostly with perfect balance and a level head. Not only is this a good time to be a scientist, but it is a good time to be a kid reading a carefully selected science book.

Preschool - Grade 4

LAPPI, Megan. Fossils. map. ISBN 978-1-60596-973-2; ISBN 978-1-60596-974-9. LC 2009050237. MILLER-SCHROEDER, Patricia. Minerals. charts. map. ISBN 978-1-60596-976-3; ISBN 978-1-60596-977-0. LC 2009050238. NAULT, Jennifer. Earthquakes. chart. diags. map. ISBN 978-1-60596-964-0; ISBN 978-1-60596-965-7. LC 2009050958. ————. Volcanoes. chart. diag. maps. ISBN 978-1-60596-970-1; ISBN 978-1-60596-971-8. LC 2009050236. OSTOPOWICH, Melanie. The Rock Cycle. chart. diags. map. ISBN 978-1-60596-967-1; ISBN 978-1-60596-968-8. LC 2009050235. ————. Rocks. chart. diags. map. ISBN 978-1-60596-961-9; ISBN 978-1-60596-962-6. LC 2009052075. ea vol: 24p. (Earth Science Series). photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Weigl. 2010. PLB $27.13; pap. $11.95; ebook free with print purchase. Gr 3-5—These titles are fine introductions to the featured topics, giving kids an overview and a jumping-off place for further study. The glossaries, however, are not comprehensive enough and could leave kids without the information they need to understand the materials fully. The books are paired with online activities that can be accessed with codes provided in the books. Some of the better online features will aid learning. The videos and downloadable activity sheets will be welcomed in the classroom, though the links to outside websites are of inconsistent quality. Except as an audio version, the text is not available online, so it is best to keep the book in hand. MINDEN, Cecilia. Earthquakes! (Level 2). ISBN 978-1-60279-864-9; ISBN 978-1-60279-924-0. LC 2009048575. ————. Foals Grow Up To Be Horses. (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-853-3; ISBN 978-1-60279-912-7. LC 2009048570. ————. Floods! (Level 2). ISBN 978-1-60279-866-3; ISBN 978-1-60279-926-4. LC 2009048582. ————. How Tall? How Wide? (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-848-9; ISBN 978-1-60279-907-3. LC 2009048567. ————. It Is About Time! (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-847-2; ISBN 978-1-60279-906-6. LC 2009048566. ————. Keep It Clean: Achoo! (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-856-4; ISBN 978-1-60279-915-8. LC 2009048573. ————. Keep It Clean: Germ Free. (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-857-1; ISBN 978-1-60279-916-5. LC 2009048574. ————. Keep It Clean: Get Well Soon. (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-858-8; ISBN 978-1-60279-917-2. LC 2009048578. ————. Keep It Clean: Time to Wash Up. (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-855-7; ISBN 978-1-60279-914-1. LC 2009048572. ————. Kids Can Clean Up Trash. (Level 3). ISBN 978-1-60279-870-0; ISBN 978-1-60279-931-8. LC 2009049125. ————. Kids Can Keep Air Clean. (Level 3). ISBN 978-1-60279-871-7; ISBN 978-1-60279-933-2. LC 2009049742. ————. Kids Can Keep Water Clean. (Level 3). ISBN 978-1-60279-872-4; ISBN 978-1-60279-932-5. LC 2009049743. ————. Kids Can Recycle. (Level 3). ISBN 978-1-60279-867-0; ISBN 978-1-60279-928-8. LC 2010015732. ————. Kids Can Reuse. (Level 3). ISBN 978-1-60279-868-7; ISBN 978-1-60279-929-5. LC 2009049108. ————. Kids Can Use Less. (Level 3). ISBN 978-1-60279-869-4; ISBN 978-1-60279-930-1. LC 2009049107. ————. Kits Grow Up to Be Rabbits. (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-854-0; ISBN 978-1-60279-913-4. LC 2009048571. ————. Kittens Grow Up to Be Cats. (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-852-6; ISBN 978-1-60279-911-0. LC 2009048595. ————. Puppies Grow Up to Be Dogs. (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-851-9; ISBN 978-1-60279-910-3. LC 2009048596. ————. Shapes Everywhere! (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-850-2; ISBN 978-1-60279-909-7. LC 2009048569. ————. Tornadoes! (Level 2). ISBN 978-1-60279-863-2; ISBN 978-1-60279-923-3. LC 2009048577. ————. What Does It Weigh? (Level 1). ISBN 978-1-60279-849-6; ISBN 978-1-60279-908-0. LC 2009048568. ————. Wildfires! (Level 2). ISBN 978-1-60279-865-6; ISBN 978-1-60279-925-7. LC 2009048581. ————. The World Around Us: Forests. (Level 2). ISBN 978-1-60279-862-5; ISBN 978-1-60279-922-6. LC 2009048587. ————. The World Around Us: Lakes. (Level 2). ISBN 978-1-60279-859-5; ISBN 978-1-60279-919-6. LC 2009048585. ————. The World Around Us: Mountains. (Level 2). ISBN 978-1-60279-860-1; ISBN 978-1-60279-920-2. LC 2009048589. ————. The World Around Us: Rivers. (Level 2). ISBN 978-1-60279-861-8; ISBN 978-1-60279-921-9. LC 2009048590. ea vol: 24p. (21st Century Basics Skills Library Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Cherry Lake. 2010. PLB $21.36; ebook $21.36. K-Gr 2—Most of the books in this series are perfectly suited to early readers. As can be expected in titles for this audience, there is not much depth, but there are excellent color photographs, plenty of white space, and simple sentences that use a limited vocabulary. The series is divided into three levels, which will help kids to easily find suitable books. The inclusion of 2D and 3D in Shapes Everywhere! will be confusing and the back and forth from digital to analog in What Does It Weigh? will leave kids with more questions than answers. Except for these few problems, this is a strong series. ORME, Helen. Healthy Eating. diag. illus. ISBN 978-1-84898-289-5. LC 2010925467. ————. Seeds, Bulbs, Plants, & Flowers. photos. ISBN 978-1-84898-291-8. LC 2010925586. ————. Solar System. diags. photos. ISBN 978-1-84898-292-5. LC 2010925591. ————. The Weather. photos. ISBN 978-1-84898-293-2. LC 2010925592. ————. What Things are Made Of. photos. ISBN 978-1-84898-298-7. LC 2010925593. RANDALL, Ronne. Where Food Comes From. photos. ISBN 978-1-84898-294-9. LC 2010925597. TWIST, Clint. Electricity. diags. photos. ISBN 978-1-84898-295-6. LC 2010925465. ————. Forces & Motion. diags. illus. photos. ISBN 978-1-84898-296-3. LC 2010925466. ————. Light & Sound. diags. photos. ISBN 978-1-84898-297-0. LC 2010925468. ea vol: 24p. (Science Everywhere! Series). glossary. index. NewForest Press. 2010. PLB $24.95. Gr 2-4—These inconsistent titles cover their topics using a question per spread, answered in several single-sentence paragraphs. The books are marketed to early and reluctant readers, but most of the titles will be nearly useless to either group. Although attractively packaged, much of the information is badly organized, poorly explained, or just plain uninteresting. Some of the glossary definitions will do more to confuse than to clarify. Forces and Motion is the best of the bunch, covering the topic directly and simply for the lower grades. Overall, however, this is not the series to introduce these topics or to help motivate kids to read. OSTOPOWICH, Melanie. Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers. diags. ISBN 978-1-61690-001-4; ISBN 978-1-61690-007-6; LC 2009050980. ————. Water Pollution. diag. ISBN 978-1-61690-004-5; ISBN 978-1-61690-010-6; LC 2009050983. PURSLOW, Frances. Precipitation. diags. ISBN 978-1-61690-002-1; ISBN 978-1-61690-008-3; LC 2009050981. ————. The Water Cycle. diags. ISBN 978-1-61690-003-8; ISBN 978-1-61690-009-0; LC 2009050982. WEBSTER, Christine. Glaciers. diags. ISBN 978-1-61690-000-7; ISBN 978-1-61690-006-9; LC 2009052078. ————. Water Power. diags. ISBN 978-1-61690-005-2; ISBN 978-1-61690-011-3; LC 2009050984. ea vol: 24p. (Water Science Series). map. photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Weigl. 2010. PLB $27.13; pap. $11.95; ebook free with print purchase. Gr 3-5—These media enhanced, slim volumes are a good place for kids to get started with their research, but they contain minor factual discrepancies. Each title introduces the topic, defines important terms, and briefly explains related science and one related career. The material is summed up in "Eight Facts about…" and "Brain Teasers" spreads, and reinforced by the inclusion of one easy experiment. Some of the better online features will facilitate comprehension, but others, mainly the website offerings, are not as useful.

Grades 5 and Up

ALDRIDGE, Susan. AIDS. illus. map. ISBN 978-1-84898-324-3. LC 2010925194. ————. Cloning. ISBN 978-1-84898-326-7. LC 2010925192. GRAHAM, Ian. Earthquakes. diags. map. ISBN 978-1-84898-321-2. LC 2010925195. GREEN, Caroline. Drug Resistance. reprods. ISBN 978-1-84898-323-6. LC 2010925196. ————. Stem Cells. ISBN 978-1-84898-325-0. LC 2010925207. HODGE, Susie. Global Warming. ISBN 978-1-84898-320-5. LC 2010925199. MILEHAM, Rebecca. Global Pollution. ISBN 978-1-84898-322-9. LC 2010925198. ROONEY, Anne. Volcanoes. diags. illus. map. ISBN 978-1-84898-319-9. LC 2010925206. ea vol: 64p. (Cutting-Edge Science Series). photos. glossary. index. NewForest Press. 2010. PLB $34.25. Gr 6 Up—These titles are rife with errors and inconsistencies. In Earthquakes kids can learn that "…Earth is only 4,500 years old…" AIDS fails to mention until chapter three how the virus is transmitted, which will leave unfamiliar readers baffled by the first two chapters. Other titles contain confusing explanations, insufficient glossaries, or numerous typographical errors. Clearly not a solid choice. ALLMAN, Toney. Vaccine Research. diag. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60152-131-6. LC 2010020635. GEORGE, Charles & Linda George. Climate Change Research. map. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60152-128-6. LC 2009053704. KALLEN, Stuart A. Renewable Energy Research. ISBN 978-1-60152-129-3. LC 2010018102. MARCOVITZ, Hal. Gene Therapy Research. diag. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60152-108-8. LC 2009041686. ————. Stem Cell Research. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60152-130-9. LC 2010004128. PARKS, Peggy J. Space Research. chart. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60152-111-8. LC 2009048159. ea vol: 96p. (Inside Science). photos. chron. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. ReferencePoint. 2010. PLB $26.95. Gr 6 to 9—This series offers the necessary information for stellar reports. Politics, debates, and ethical concerns are briefly and fairly mentioned, but the books concentrate on consistent, documented, and well-balanced scientific coverage. The human stories sprinkled throughout will help kids identify with both scientists and patients. Renewable Energy Research includes the story of a British student who invented solar-powered refrigerators, which will drive home to readers the point that the future is in their hands. BOW, James. Earth's Secrets. ISBN 978-0-7614-4196-0; ISBN 978-1-60870-194-0. LC 2009052362. CROY, Anita. Exploring the Past. ISBN 978-0-7614-4194-6; ISBN 978-1-60870-192-6. LC 2009052364. GODDARD, Jolyon. Inside the Human Body. ISBN 978-0-7614-4190-8; ISBN 978-1-60870-190-2. LC 2008037254. GREEN, Jen. Inside Animals. ISBN 978-0-7614-4195-3; ISBN 978-1-60870-193-3. LC 2008037241. LEPORA, Nathan. Atoms and Molecules. ISBN 978-0-7614-4192-2; ISBN 978-1-60870-191-9. LC 2008037237. TAYLOR, Barbara. Inside Plants. ISBN 978-0-7614-4189-2; ISBN 978-1-60870-189-6. LC 2008037247. ea vol: 48p. (Invisible Worlds Series). diags. illus. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2010. PLB $28.50; ebook $28.50. Gr 5-8—These titles provide fascinating looks at worlds that normally require expensive technology and in-depth scientific knowledge to view. Earth's Secrets mainly covers knowledge gained about the planet from satellites. Exploring the Past discusses technological advances that are broadening what we know about history. Atoms and Molecules is about the smallest building blocks, and the remaining three titles discuss the cells that make up plants and animals. Throughout the titles, the narratives are clear, well written, broken down into manageable pieces, and peppered with eye-opening facts. The numerous photographs are so phenomenal that they will inspire kids to read the text about hurricanes, germs, and atomic structure so that they can wrap their minds around what they see. BRASCH, Nicolas. Animal and Plant Survival. charts. maps. ISBN 978-1-59920-559-5. LC 2009045105. ————. The Foods We Eat. charts. maps. ISBN 978-1-59920-560-1. LC 2009045106. ————. Natural Disasters. charts. maps. ISBN 978-1-59920-561-8. LC 2009045107. ————. Theme Parks, Playgrounds, and Toys. ISBN 978-1-59920-562-5. LC 2009045108. ————. Time, Tides, and Revolutions. chart. maps. ISBN 978-1-59920-563-2. LC 2009045109. ————. Tricks of Sound and Light. chart. ISBN 978-1-59920-564-9. LC 2009045110. ea vol: 32p. (The Science Behind Series). diags. illus. photos. index. Web sites. CIP. Smart Apple Media. 2010. PLB $28.50. Gr 5 Up—These question-and-answer format titles are attractive but flawed. An engaging question ("Do Any Plants Eat Animals?") is presented on each spread, followed by a brief answer and further explanation. Color photos, charts, maps, and sidebars help to illustrate important points and give the books an exciting look that will draw in reluctant readers. Foods We Eat contains information about food labeling specific to Australia, which may confuse some readers. Unfortunately, the many typographical errors, odd word choices, and frustrating experiment directions throughout mean that the series is not a worthwhile purchase. BURGAN, Michael. Developing Flu Vaccines. charts. diag. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4109-3825-1. LC 2009053326. HARTMAN, Eve & Wendy Meshbesher. Mission to Mars. chart. diags. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4109-3821-3. LC 2009053209. ————. Searching for Arctic Oil. charts. diag. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-3822-0. LC 2009053180. KITE, L. Patricia. Building the Three Gorges Dam. diag. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-3824-4. LC 2009053325. PRICE, Sean Stewart. Cloning Pets. diags. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4109-3823-7. LC 2009053184. SNEDDEN, Robert. Mapping Earth from Space. charts. diags. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-3826-8. LC 2009053333. ea vol: 56p. (Science Missions Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Raintree. 2010. PLB $33.50. Gr 6-9—Each of these well-executed titles opens with an introduction to the mission, followed by background and historical information. The intriguing topics are then covered in detail, with theories and opinions clearly identified. Arctic Oil is a standout title as its authors present this hot-button and timely topic with fair coverage of both sides of the issue. Overall the titles clearly place the responsibility on kids to form their own opinions or to get involved in future study. The excellent black-and-white and color photos throughout are matched perfectly to the texts and well captioned. Good choices for reports and debates. CURLEY, Robert. New Thinking about Pollution. 269p. ISBN 978-1-61530-135-5. LC 2010009095. RAFFERTY, John P. New Thinking about Evolution. 288p. ISBN 978-1-61530-129-4. LC 2010000848. ROGERS, Kara. New Thinking about Genetics. 274p. map. ISBN 978-1-61530-104-1. LC 2009044215. ea vol: (21st Century Science Series). charts. diags. illus. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Britannica Educational. 2010. PLB $45. Gr 9 Up—Researchers will find more than enough information to work with here. Students can browse the extremely detailed table of contents to find exactly the right place to start, and each volume covers the background and context necessary to appreciate "new thinking" on the topics. The texts are readable and the topics are thoroughly examined. The lack of bibliography or source notes in books for this level is a shame, as are the insufficient glossaries and the occasional hard-to-read white-on-gray text in the insets, but think of these as minor errors in this otherwise impressive series. HARRIS, Michael C. Artificial Intelligence. ISBN 978-1-60870-076-9; ISBN 978-1-60870-281-7. LC 2009053772. ————. Spare Parts for People. ISBN 978-1-60870-080-6; ISBN 978-1-60870-285-5. LC 2009053776. ————. Sports Science. ISBN 978-1-60870-081-3; ISBN 978-1-60870-286-2. LC 2009053777. ————. Unusual Diseases. ISBN 978-1-60870-077-6. ISBN 978-1-60870-282-4. LC 2009053773. PERRITANO, John. Science Beats Crime. ISBN 978-1-60870-078-3; ISBN 978-1-60870-283-1. LC 2009053774. ————. Science of Emotions. ISBN 978-1-60870-079-0; ISBN 978-1-60870-284-8. LC 2009053775. ea vol: 48p. (Cool Science Series). charts. diags. illus. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2010. PLB $28.50; ebook $28.50. Gr 4-8—Colorful, engaging, and sure to get kids turning the pages, these books are packed with facts and human stories. Shocking photos will grab readers' attention and the real stories will pull them in completely. Unusual Diseases has enough frightening and disturbing images to keep kids thinking late into the night, and Spare Parts for People singlehandedly earns the series the "cool" in "Cool Science." Sports enthusiasts will find themselves delving into the scientific details in Sports Science without realizing it. The few typographical errors won't be overly distracting. SILVERSTEIN, Alvin, Virginia Silverstein, & Laura Silverstein Nunn. Chocolate Ants, Maggot Cheese, and More: The Yucky Food Book. ISBN 978-0-7660-3315-3. LC 2009012283. ————. Dung Beetles, Slugs, Leeches, and More: The Yucky Animal Book. ISBN 978-0-7660-3317-7. LC 2009012281. ————. Poop Collectors, Armpit Sniffers, and More: The Yucky Jobs Book. ISBN 978-0-7660-3316-0. LC 2009012273. ————. Smog, Oil Spills, Sewage, and More: The Yucky Pollution Book. ISBN 978-0-7660-3313-9. LC 2009021274. ————. Snot, Poop, Vomit, and More: The Yucky Body Book. ISBN 978-0-7660-3318-4. LC 2009012280. ————. Tapeworms, Foot Fungus, Lice, and More: The Yucky Disease Book. ISBN 978-0-7660-3314-6. LC 2009012282. ea vol: illus. by Kelley, Gerald. 48p. (Yucky Science Series). illus. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Enslow. 2010. PLB $23.93. Gr 4-9—These delightfully disgusting titles will not sit on your shelves for long. Written in an engaging and conversational style and full of revolting descriptions and entertaining cartoon illustrations, they are sure to turn even the strongest stomach. An introduction in each title puts "yucky" in perspective, reminding kids that our world is diverse and that everyone has a different definition of repulsive. From there they can read about snake milkers, be mesmerized by magnified images of poop, and discover the hidden ingredients that monks used to create illuminated manuscripts: earwax and urine. Put these volumes on display and watch them fly. The Bottom Line

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Kids deserve excellent books that will enable them to understand scientific concepts while also stimulating them with high-quality presentation. Many of the series reviewed here meet these standards, but some of them leave much to be desired. Libraries looking for reluctant-reader titles will appreciate Enslow's "Yucky Science"; every teen department should stock Britannica's "21st Century Science";and for pure child appeal, Marshall Cavendish's "Invisible Worlds"should not be missed.