AIDS

Maybe I shouldn't have taken a picture of a white book 

on a white background...

Sonenklar, Carol. AIDS. Minneapolis : Twenty-First Century Books, 2011.

Plot: Despite their infamy, HIV and AIDS remain little understood by the general public. The title seeks to enlighten readers by offering a study of the natural history, politics, causes, and symptoms of the diseases. Articles from USA Today supplement the book's chapters. Sonenklar also includes the stories of three victims of the disease and their responses, treatments, and acceptance of it.

Genre: Science, Health

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: STDs, Depression

Personal Thoughts: The understanding of AIDS and HIV changed a lot since I was a tween. While some transformations improve the situation for victims by providing prevention, treatment, and support, a worrying large amount of misinformation abounds. The title highlights how social bias still prevents many potential victims from seeking the help when they need it. It also limits the amount of support non-victims offer HIV positive individuals. Like so many diseases, knowledge leads to prevention. As much as parents, teachers, guardians, and librarians wish for the contrary, many tweens engage in behaviors making them vulnerable to HIV. Warning young readers with facts instead of scare tactics can protect them.

Special Report: Science Fair Resources

Well, faithful readers, Science Fair season approaches. Here are some resources for setting up a prize-winning project and display.

Let's make some plans

California State Science Fair 2013 Category Awards:
http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2013/Awards
The site lists the award-winning projects of the 2013 California State Science Fair. While images of the projects are not presented, the write-ups, including hypothesis, experiments, and results are included. The site can assist student seeking projects or ideas on how to write their reports.

Education.com’s Science Fair Ideas:
http://www.education.com/science-fair/#all
While the site has a lot of advertisements, it also offers free science fair ideas. Visitors can use the search bar to find specific projects or the side filters to select specific topics and grade levels.

Food science!

Energy Quest’s Science Projects:
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects
After a brief description of what makes a good project, the site offers a list of science fair projects focusing on energy concepts. Many projects require the use of high temperatures, sharp objects, and complicated topics, so adult supervision may be necessary.

Iconic Displays’ Science Fair Resource Guide:
http://www.iconicdisplays.com/Science-Fair-Display-Guide.html
Rather than focus on the project, this site shows how to display projects at a science fair. The website includes color selection, graph creation, title creation, and layout advice.

Science Bob’s Science Fair Ideas:
http://www.sciencebob.com/sciencefair/index.php
This site does not present projects quite as clearly as some of the others, but it does provide selection advice and format recommendations. The site is a good resource for understanding the concepts behind a science fair project, rather than the projects themselves.

Garden science!

Science Buddies:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org 
This award-winning website provides project ideas, guides, and answers to visitor questions. “Help Me Find a Project” (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml#helpmefindaproject) is especially useful for students with limited time and resources.

Science Fair Extravaganza: Science Fair Project Ideas:
http://sciencefair.math.iit.edu/projects
The website allows visitors to utilize household items to create science fair projects. It also lists additional resources and research recommendations.

Animal science!

Science Kids’ Science Experiments for Kids:
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.html 
The site offers over forty different science experiments students can perform with household items. Each project includes a list of necessary materials, an experiment description, and an explanation of the results.

Science Fair Projects World:
http://www.sciencefair-projects.org/
This website offers detailed outlines for elaborate projects. Some require difficult to find materials, so consider the projects carefully before committing to them.

Technology science!

Park Scientists: Gila Monsters, Geysers, and Grizzly Bears in America's Own Backyard

Reptiles unite!

Carson, Mary Kay and Uhlman, Tom. Park Scientists: Gila Monsters, Geysers, and Grizzly Bears in America's Own Backyard. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014.

Plot: America boasts of several large, unique national parks. Many house unusual animals such as grizzly bears, gila monsters, salamanders, and fireflies. Others sport unusual landmarks, like geysers, or strange plant life, like cacti. Yet, to maintain and protect such features, people need to study them. Scientists unite together and with citizens to discover the best ways to keep and protect our national parks for future generations.

Genre: Science

Similar Titles: Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa's Fastest Cat, Extreme Scientists: Exploring Nature's Mysteries from Perilous Places

Personal Thoughts: The book offers a solid introduction to park scientists. While everyone assumes national parks have scientists working in them, few know what they actually do. The title addresses the actual processes and goals of the scientists. Additionally, the book provides information on some of the nation's largest and most popular national parks. This book is potentially a great follow-up to summer vacations.

Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster

Haaalp!

Vernon, Ursula. Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster. New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011.

Plot: After escaping ninjas, exploring the ocean, and conquering were-weiners, Danny and Wendell are ready to relax at the community pool for the summer. Their plans get interrupted by a tiny, injured bat. Danny's mother arranges for them to visit a bat-studying cousin in Mexico. The two boys and the researcher get to study a cave full of bats, when an absolutely enormous bat kidnaps Danny! While the bat shows Danny plenty of affection and care, he has no desire to stay in the rain forest. There are insects, raw fish, and real dangers far from home.

Genre: Fantasy, Comics, Science

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Bad Kitty, Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Personal Thoughts: It's not a problem. I can quit reading Dragonbreath books anytime I want. 

Dragonbreath

A dragon plush reading a dragon book

Vernon, Ursula. Dragonbreath. New York : Dial Books, 2009.

Plot: Danny Dragonbreath, the only dragon in a school for reptiles and amphibians, often dreams of adventures. Then he fulfills them. In the first of the series, Danny needs to finish a research project about the ocean. Rather than go to the library, takes his friend, Wendell the iguana, to the Sargasso Sea to visit his cousin, Edward the sea serpent. Edward cheerfully shows them a coral reef and a shipwreck. Unfortunately, they are not as prepared for the deep ocean as they think they are, particularly when the giant squid shows up.

Genre: Science, Fantasy, Adventure, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Nate the Great, The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel in Words and Pictures

Personal Thoughts: Much like Nate the Great and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the book combines comics and text to tell a story. Dragonbreath manages to stand out through its fantastic setting, real-world logic, and quirky humor. 

Regin of the Sea Dragons

All hail Jerome, King of the Sea Dragons!

Collard, Sneed B. and Plant, Andrew. Reign of the Sea Dragons. Watertown, MA : Charlesbridge, 2008.

Plot: While dinosaurs claimed nearly every ecological niche on land, a variety of sea monsters ruled over the water. The text reviews the extinct marine reptiles claiming the apex predator role in pre-history. Such creatures include the dolphin-like ichtyosaurs, elegant elasmosaurs, and monstrous mosasaurs. Hand-drawn illustrations allow readers to envision the giant reptiles, while the text describes the creatures as well as the history of their discovery.

Genre: Animals, History, Science

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Sea Monsters, Ichtyosaurs, Ocean Monsters

Personal Thoughts: I have read a number of titles about prehistoric animals (surprising, I know), but this one stood out for several reasons. It avoided most of the more sensational images found in most titles (only one predator is shown with a gaping mouth facing the reader, for example). Also, it noted the controversy surrounding ancient reptiles, such as the flexibility of elasmosaur necks and body temperature of icthyosaurs. Additionally, it used hand-drawn images instead of computer-generated ones. Neither is necessarily superior to the other, but the contrast was pleasant. As such, I recommend the title to fans of prehistory.

Fooled You: Fakes and Hoaxes Through the Years

 Why yes, that is a mosasaur in a coffee cup

Pascoe, Elaine and Keller, Laurie. Fooled You: Fakes and Hoaxes Through the Years. New York : Henry Holt, 2005.

Plot: Frauds existed for hundreds of years. Some stem from attempts to make money, such as P.T. Barnum's Feejee Mermaid. Others, like crop circles, simply start as a joke on the local community, but quickly capture global attention. A few hoaxes bloomed from attempts to avoid trouble, while some seem made to create it. Modern technology contributes to the rise of frauds, as the urban legend of Snowball the cat displays. The text's humorous illustrations add to the lunacy of responses to the hoaxes, while outlining the stories within the chapters. By learning about frauds of the past, perhaps we can be more cautious in the future.

Genre: History, Science, Technology

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Hoaxes that Made Headlines, Fakes

Personal Thoughts: The title offers an excellent example of combining history and current events. While the individual stories may not make the textbooks, they do provide the opportunity to review personal opinions and experiences, allowing readers to begin thinking critically about sources of information.

Wildlife Library

Aminals!

Wildlife Library, produced by the National Wildlife Association, located at
http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library.aspx

Plot: A collection of information about the United State's wildlife. The library provides links describing the different classes of animals, as well as plant life, native to North America. Additionally, the site has pages dedicated to some of the most popular creatures, including gray wolves, bald eagles, and rainbow trout. Each page includes information about the creature's habitat, lifestyle, and appearance, as well as links to similar articles and adoption opportunities.

Genre: Websites, Animals, Biology, Science

Reading Level: Accessible and relevant to elementary-age students and tweens.

Personal Thoughts: The site is easy to navigate and attractive to view. Additionally, it provides information in an easy to read manner without appearing concending. However, it does tend to focus on famous animals, and it typically meshes less popular creatures, such as cacti and toads, under a single heading, despite the diversity of the creatures. Still, the site provides useful information, which may be especially appreciated as final projects for the school year approach.

Battle of the Dinosaur Bones: Othniel Charles Marsh vs. Edward Drinker Cope

 Smacked by the hate

Johnson, Rebecca L. Battle of the Dinosaur Bones: Othniel Charles Marsh vs. Edward Drinker Cope. Minneapolis : Twenty-First Century Books, 2013.

Plot: At the beginning of the 1900's, people discovered enormous bones buried in the earth. Instead of labeling them as mere curiosities, scientists realized the fossils belonged to ancient animals. Eventually, two scientists, Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, began seeking the bones in earnest. However, instead of attempting to enhance palentology as a whole, the two became bitter rivals, stealing specimens and naming rights. Eventually, they began public arguments, fossil vandalism, and national scandals in the quest to overwhelm each other. While the two managed to raise palentology to new levels, their fighting also tainted the science for years to come.

Genre: History, Science

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Fossil Feud: Marsh and Cope's Bone Wars, Fossil Feud: The Rivalry of the First American Dinosaur Hunters

Personal Thoughts: The text offers an impressive view of the complex Marsh and Cope rivalry. While the story does give an accessible retelling of the two's infamous fights, it also hints at a greater truth. Much of the knowledge taken for granted needed to be discovered and the discovery process did not always occur politely, or even neatly. The text offers the acknowledgement of the human aspect in science. While many books describe scientists as altruistic and incapable of flaws, the text reminds readers of the mistakes and failures present in science. However, it does so without negating the positive aspects of science, as well.


Before recommending the title, keep in mind the text focuses on the process of discovering dinosaurs, not dinosaurs themselves. Readers seeking the biological aspect of palentology will be disappointed, so be aware of readers' actual interests.

Island: A Story of the Galapagos

A dragon and a turtle

Chin, Jason. Island: A Story of the Galapagos. New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2012.

Plot: A brief history of the creation and settlement of the Galapagos Islands. The text, separated into several parts, begins with the geographic aspects of the islands. After a time, they become settled by plant, bird, and reptilian life. Due to changes on the islands, the foreign creatures gradually shift in behavior and physical features. Eventually, the animals become unique to the island chain, and inspired scientists throughout the world.

Genre: Science, Picture Books

Reading Level: 1-4

Similar Titles: Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story, Far from Shore: Chronicles of an Open Ocean Voyage, Redwoods

Personal Thoughts: A pretty, well-written introduction to the islands of the Galapagos. The title is expected to win several awards this year.

Guinea Pig Scientists: Bold Self-Experimenters in Science and Medicine

Warning! The text does not advise, guide, or recommend self-experimentation

Boring, Mel. Guinea Pig Scientists: Bold Self-Experimenters in Science and Medicine. New York : Henry Holt & Co., 2005.

Plot: Throughout history, scientists used experiments to make their discoveries. However, some trials seem too dangerous to ask anyone to attempt, so scientists experiment on themselves. The text outlines nine remarkable self-experimenters in their quest to understand the human body's processes and limitations. While some scientists eventually succumb to the results of their tests, many continue in their desire to discover and identify the world around them.

Genre: Science, History

Reading Level: Grades 5-9

Similar Title: Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters, The Frog Scientist

Personal Thoughts: I have a scientific background, so I found the book amazing. It combines human stories, natural science, and social history to give readers a sense of the danger, methodology, and necessity of influential scientists' experiments. The text also reminds readers some facts taken for granted, such as the human body's consistent temperature, had to be discovered. However, some readers find the text lengthy and complicated, especially since Boring tends to use advanced scientific terminology. Nevertheless, science-focused users may find the text useful, if not inspiring. 

Hoaxed: Fakes & Mistakes in the World of Science

Isabella, Jude and Woo, Howie. Hoaxed: Fakes & Mistakes in the World of Science. Toronto : Kids Can Press, 2009.

Plot: Hoaxes, both accidentally and intentionally, spread throughout humanity's history. The text teaches readers to detect frauds through several historical examples, such as the Pitdown man fiasco. Other examples, such as a media frenzy surrounding a flawed experiment of cold fusion, began with genuine but misinformed belief in current times. A few hoaxes, such as a California film of Bigfoot, stem from intentional deception. A few chapters address hoaxes that persist through modern times, such as the belief in crop circles and aliens in Roswell. Additional texts address methods for avoiding hoaxes, as well as real, non-hoax events.

Genre: History, Science

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Fantastic Feats and Failures, Science Detectives: How Scientists Solved Six Real-Life Mysteries

Personal Thoughts: The text nicely balances between historical presentation and scientific methods to show readers the impact of both on everyday life. Through the study of hoaxes, text encourages readers to be skeptical of news stories without dismissing the genuine facts. As a result, the trivia-heavy book allows readers to use science class lessons into a misinformation-laden world.

Side Note: It's the Loch Ness Monster!

Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World

Dewey, Jennifer. Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World. New York : HarperCollins Publisers, 2001.

Plot:  Ms. Dewey gets invited to spend four months in an Antarctic research center. She records major events through a series of sketches and journal entries. Travel issues and clothing layers find description, but so do penguins, seals, fish, and krill. Interactions with scientists and sunburns also find mention. The text offers a personal look at life on the ice continent.

Genre: Geography, Science

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: My Season with Penguins: An Antarctic Journal; Mud Matters: Stories from a Mud Lover

Personal Thoughts: A pretty, enjoyable view of personal experiences in the Antarctic. The author's notes reflect the seriousness of the work, as well as the humanity within the workers. I recommend the title for those seeking a human and scientific title.

Side Note: I have no idea how I am going to get that blanket away from Jerome.

How Stuff Works: Salt

 
How Stuff Works: Salt produced by Discovery.

Plot: Most people know salt as the white, grainy substance in a shaker. However, salt remains the key for some of the most important, expensive, efficient, and dangerous discoveries, situations, and products known to humanity. As the only rock necessary for a healthy diet, salt allows humans to function. It also causes major health and development problems. To get salt, humans spend enormous amounts of resources and effort. Evaporation and mining provide salt, but also create vital wildlife sanctuaries and safe storage spaces. Salt may even provide an answer to the growing energy crisis, since it will combust when exposed to high radio frequencies. Humble salt, while often ignored, allows humans to exist.

Genre: Documentary, Science

Reading Level: Not Rated; while some episodes of the series focus on items like alcohol, this particular episode does not contain such references.

Similar Titles: Modern Marvels, How Stuff Works

Personal Thoughts: The episode runs like an updated version of the Eyewitness videos. It offers rapid "bits" of information in a fast-paced, graphics-heavy manner. While it does not contain the elaborate computer illustrations of the Eyewitness episodes, the information is more complete and the show is twice as long. Apparently, the show's series also focuses on other food items, such as corn and coffee, as well as other materials such as copper, lead, water, and rubber. The series offers an in-depth look at items often dismissed as mundane.

The Solar System: A True Book

Trammel, Howard K. The Solar System: A True Book. New York : Scholastic, 2010.

Plot: A review of the solar system.

Genre: Astronomy, Science

Reading Level: Grades 2 and up

Similar Titles: The Moon, Stars, Saturn

Personal Thoughts: The book provided solid information with attractive graphics. Unfortunately, neither the illustration nor text were memorable. It certainly is not a bad book, but the other items reviewed this week capture interest more effectively and offer better-rounded information. 

Exploring Our Solar System

Ride, Sally and O'Shaughnessy, Tam. Exploring Our Solar System. New York : Crown Publisher, 2003.

Plot: Written by an astronaut, the item provides a textbook-like view of our solar system. While the work offers standard information, such as planet characteristics, it also explores the human elements surrounding astronomy. For example, each planet's chapter includes its discovery and initial observations. The text reaches further depth by exploring the involvement of NASA and similar institutions, revealing how the information was obtained and changed previous beliefs.

Genre: Science, Astronomy, History

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: To Space and Back

Personal Thoughts: While this book is notably more in-depth than any other I read this week, the details did not capture me. Rather, the history behind the science caught my interest. Sometimes, it is easy to take the accessibility of information for granted, and the book reveals how much effort and time discoveries often cost. Also, the novel was written by an actual astronaut, which leads to a genuinely authentic feel to the work. Highly recommended for astronomy fans.

Postcards from Pluto: A Tour of the Solar System

Leedy, Loreen. Postcards from Pluto: A Tour of the Solar System. New York : Holiday House, 1993.

Plot: A solar system picture book. The book showcases information on the star and planets making up the solar system through a series of postcards sent by a tour group. The group consists of several children, whose individual style enhances the descriptions of the celestial bodies.

Genre: Science, Astronomy

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: The Planets, The Moon Book

Personal Thoughts: Much like the Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, the book uses unconventional methods to show readers basic astronomy concepts. The simple, but brightly colored illustrations showcase the beauty of the solar system and the different styles of writing capture the reader's interest. Unfortunately, the book does not convey detailed information about the planets. Still, it offers a solid introduction to the planets surrounding earth.

The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System

Cole, Joanna and Degen, Bruce. The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System. New York : Scholastic Inc., 1990.

Plot: Arnold's annoying cousin comes to class for their field trip to the planetarium. Despite Arnold's warnings, she expects the trip to further prove her school's superiority, rather than the adventures the other students promise her. However, when Miss Frizzle transforms the school bus into a rocket, the new kid discovers the truth of her cousin's insistence. The class discovers the solar system, beginning with the sun and moving outwards. After a minor collision with some space debris, the class suddenly finds itself in the middle of the solar system without a teacher. Using Miss Frizzle's notes, the class must navigate the outer planets and find a way back to earth.

Genre: Science, Astronomy

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: The Magic School Bus series

Personal Thoughts: One of the original Magic School Bus books. The series inspired a cartoon in 1994.

Despite the series age, it continues to amuse and educate children. Unlike many science-based books, the series uses story elements and in-universe themes to present information, making complex topics less formidable. However, the age of the books shows in some topics, particularly in the address of Pluto. At the time of the book's publication, Pluto was recognized as a planet. Currently, most astronomers recognize it as a dwarf planet. Still, the illustrations, text, and jokes gently and effectively introduce readers to the solar system.

The Footsteps of the Werewolf

Pipe, Jim. The Footsteps of the Werewolf. Brookfield, Conn. : Copper Beech Books, 1996.

Plot: The book splits between the fictional story of Bernard and the history of werewolf folklore. Bernard's story follows the young silversmith on his way to his uncles. A chance encounter leave him with more than anticipated, causing him to inadvertently become the monster he fears most. Opposite of each page of his story are facts on various werewolf topics. Such topics include werewolf origins, superstitions, scientific explanations, and modern variations.

Genre: Non-fiction, Folklore, Monsters, Science

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Encyclopedia Horrifica, The Weeping Werewolf: Moongoble and Me

Personal Thoughts: This is best described as a better version of Can Science Solve the Mystery of Vampires and Werewolves. The information-based pages offer an overview of the mythology behind shapeshifters, but also offers real-world examples of historical incidents and scientific explanation. The short story offers a means of attracting the audience's attention while referring to the informative side of werewolf lore. Overall, the book appears to balance information and entertainment effectively.

Can Science Solve the Mystery of Vampires and Werewolves?

Oxlade, Chris and Wallace, Holly. Can Science Solve the Mystery of Vampires and Werewolves? Oxford : Heinemann Library, 2003.

Plot: Myths of monsters cover the globe. However, two particular monsters, vampires and werewolves, seem especially prominent, particularly in North America and Europe. The novel examines the myths and attempts to use science to explain how such myths arose and continue to persist. Details of the original monsters as well as the modern-day movie creatures enjoy simple but thorough descriptions. Variations of the creatures, such as bear-men and tiger-men, find mention in the text as well. Also, a few theories of the the actual cause of the creatures find there way into the book.

Genre: Science, Monsters

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Can Science Solve the Mystery series, X Science: The Loch Ness Monster

Personal Thoughts: While the pretext of the books is a worthy one, the authors could create a better text. The majority of the book discusses the myths and pseudo-science explanations for the two monsters. Actual scientific theory only enjoys two pages per monster. As such, the focus of the book seems skewed in a non-scientific direction, despite the assertions of the title and description of the text.