Announcing the Finalists for the 2019 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize!

Transcription

1 sbfonline.com VOL. 54, NO. 9 OCTOBER 2018 SCIENCE BOOKS & FILMS Your Online Review Guide to Science Resources for all Ages Announcing the Finalists for the 2019 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize! Plus: A Look at Spooky Science! AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE

2 Volume 54, No. 09 October 2018 SB&F (Science Books & Films) Your Online Guide to Science Resources for All Ages is written for librarians, media specialists, curriculum supervisors, science teachers, and others responsible for recommending or purchasing science materials. SB&F provides critical reviews of the scientific accuracy and presentation of print, audiovisual, and electronic resources intended for use in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Careful evaluation of these resources is vital to a better understanding of science by the next generation. Editor in Chief: Maria Sosa Editor: Renee Stockdale-Homick SB&F is the online review journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC The title SB&F is a registered trademark of AAAS. SB&F offers 12 monthly electronic issues, plus additional online features at: Sbfonline.com Subscriptions are $45 per year. To subscribe visit our website, or membership2@aaas.org or call (202) Customer Service: editorial questions, please SB&F@ aaas.org; fulfillment questions, please membership2@aaas.org or call (202) sbfonline.com Follow us on Twitter SBFOnline Like SB&FOnline on Facebook FEATURES Page 374 In This Issue Page 375 Announcing the Finalists for the 2019 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize! Page 381 Read-Around-A-Theme: Spooky Science REVIEWS Page 387 Adult Books Page 390 Junior High and Young Adult Books Page 392 Children s Books Page 402 Films SECTIONS Page 406 Science on TV Page 408 Index Page 409 Editor s Choice 373 SB&F October 2018

3 EXPLANATION OF REVIEW PROCEDURES SB&F reviewers are scientists in academia and industry, teachers, librarians, and media specialists. Reviewers are asked to write a critical evaluation...describing (1) the merits and/or de merits of the book or film and any accompanying supplements, (2) the content, technical quality, and instructional value, (3) the audience(s) the material is most appropriate for and why, and (4) how the material could be used for collateral reading or viewing, reference, or classroom use. SB&F reviewers summarize their overall opinion of materials in terms of quality and level of difficulty by choosing ratings symbols from the list below. When rating materials, reviewers take into account accuracy of scientific information, scope, quality of illustrations or cinematography, and value when compared to other titles. Second opinions will be obtained for materials rated NR when requested by the author or publisher. SB&F reviews are normally signed by reviewers, but if a reviewer so requests or if substantial changes are made, reviews are signed Staff. SB&F evaluations are the personal appraisals of the reviewers or of the staff and do not represent official recommendations or decisions of the reviewers affiliations or of the AAAS. EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS Appraisal Highly recommended. The material con- tains no serious errors or deficiencies, and the reviewer thought the content and presenta- tion were excellent. Recommended. The material contains no serious errors or deficiencies, and the reviewer thought the content and presentation were above average. Ac Acceptable. The material contains no serious errors or deficiencies, and the reviewer thought the content and presentation were average. Q Questionable. The material contains errors of fact, deficiencies in development, and/or the reviewer thought the content and presenta- tion were below average. NR Not recommended. The material contains serious errors of fact and/or deficiencies in de- velopment. LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY K Preschool or kindergarten EP Elementary, grades 1 & 2 EI Elementary, grades 3 & 4 EA Elementary, grades 5 & 6 JH Junior high, grades 7 & 8 YA Young adult, grades 9-12 C College T Teaching professional GA General audience Two consecutive levels are separated by a comma; \ for example, K, EP. Three or more consecutive levels are condensed to show the youngest nd oldest age groups, and the symbols for these are separated by a dash; for example, K EI. GA and T are always noted separately. LETTERS SB&F is written for librarians and science teachers in schools, colleges, and public libraries. Letters may be edited and will be published as space permits. Letters submitted for publication should be addressed to Letters, Science Books & Films, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC In This Issue Welcome to the October 2018 issue of SB&F! October is one of our favorite months because the weather where we live finally starts to really feel like fall and the leaves on the trees start changing. Also, and perhaps more importantly, Halloween comes at the end of the month! With this issue, we are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2019 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books! You can see this list starting on page 375. This year saw a record number of books submitted for the prize and the finalists reflect the diversity of books that were nominated. Since Halloween is celebrated at the end of this month, we thought it would befitting to use our Read-Around-A- Theme (p. 381) to take a look at spooky science. From vampire bats to monster science to the holiday of Halloween itself, the selection of books, websites, and facts will help young and older readers alike learn more about the things that go bump in the night! Our Science on TV section (p. 406) features most of the upcoming prime-time science shows on PBS. This month, we also highlight a couple of shows that are premiering on the Science Channel in October, including Engineering Catastrophes and Mega Machines. We hope you enjoy this issue of SB&F and have a great fall season! Cover Photo Credit: Spirit from the depths in the marshland by Denis Colette. CC BY-NC-ND SB&F October 2018

4 Announcing the Finalists for the 2019 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize From exploring the outer limits of space to the deepest parts of the ocean, the finalists for the 2019 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books help readers explore the natural world that s all around them. This year, the six members of the young adult prize committee and the seven members of the children s committee chose the finalists from among 250 submissions the highest number of submissions in the prize s 13-year history published between September 1, 2017 and August 30, The Prize celebrates outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults and it seeks to encourage the writing and publishing of high-quality science books for all age groups. AAAS believes that, through good science books, this generation, and the next, will have a better understanding and appreciation of science. AAAS and Subaru of America, Inc. co-sponsor the prize to recognize recently published works that are scientifically sound and foster an understanding and appreciation of science in readers of all ages. The prize will be bestowed at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, February 14-17, The prize is awarded in these categories: Children's Science Picture Book Middle Grades Science Book Young Adult Science Book Hands-On Science Book 375 SB&F October 2018

5 2019 AAAS/SUBARU SB&F PRIZE FINALISTS JUDGING CRITERIA Children s Science Picture Book One book is chosen as the winner in this category, the author and illustrator are honored. The book is appropriate for children in grades K-4. The book contains no serious errors or deficiencies in explanations of science content or processes. Although written for young children, the book successfully examines important scientific concepts without perpetuating stereotypes or misconceptions. The book has a clear purpose, is well organized, and the scientific concepts are accurately presented. In accordance with Project 2061 s Science for All Americans, the book must support the development in young people of positive attitudes toward learning science, mathematics, and technology. In accordance with Project 2061 s Nature of Science Benchmark, the book should stimulate curiosity, and engage students in taking an interest in their environment and the workings of nature. When fitting, the book shows that doing science engages men and women of all ages and backgrounds. The illustrations engage the young reader and enhance the text. The illustrations accurately depict the scientific concepts being examined. The illustrations provide an alternate way for students to examine the concepts being discussed in the text. The illustrations show boys and girls of different backgrounds involved in science. Middle Grades Science Book One book is chosen as the winner in this category, the author is honored. The book is appropriate for grades 5-8. The book contains no serious errors or deficiencies in explanations of science content or processes. The book has a clear purpose, is well organized, and the scientific concepts are accurately presented. In accordance with Project 2061 s Nature of Science Benchmark, the book should engage early adolescents in science and encourage reflection. The science portrayed in the book is open to inquiry and should encourage the reader to ask questions. When fitting, the book shows that men and women of different ages and backgrounds are involved in science. Hands-On Science Book One book is chosen as the winner in this category, the author is honored. The book contains fun and exciting investigations, opening the door to even more things to explore. The activities promote inquiry and encourage the reader to explore scientific concepts by asking good questions. The activities feature open-ended questions and enable the reader to develop problem-solving and research skills that enable them to become lifelong learners. The book contains no serious errors or deficiencies in explanations of science content or processes. Young Adult Science Book One book is chosen as the winner in this category, the author is honored. The book has the ability to engage young adult readers in science. The book is judged on its ability to engage the YA audience. Both young adult and adult titles may be considered. The book encourages the discussion and understanding of scientific ideas. The book contains no serious errors or deficiencies in explanations of science content or processes. The book has a clear purpose and is well organized. In accordance with Project 2061 s Habits of Mind benchmark, the book should enable high school readers to view science and technology thoughtfully, being neither categorically antagonistic nor uncritically positive. 376 SB&F October 2018

6 2019 AAAS/SUBARU SB&F PRIZE FINALISTS Children s Science Picture Book The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World's Coral Reefs, by Kate Messner (Author), Matthew Forsythe (Illustrator). Chronicle Books Kate Messner and Matthew Forsythe tell the true story of the coral restoration pioneer, Ken Nedimyer, founder of the Coral Restoration Foundation, in this brilliant tribute to the wonders of nature and the power of human hope. A House in the Sky: And Other Uncommon Animal Homes, by Steve Jenkins (Author), Robbin Gourley (Illustrator). Charlesbridge Publishing This book gives young readers a tour of 14 different animal homes, from turtles to kangaroos. Iqbal and His Ingenious Idea: How a Science Project Helps One Family and the Planet, by Elizabeth Suneby (Author), Rebecca Green (Illustrator). Kids Can Press Elizabeth Suneby's thoroughly researched and inspiring story introduces young children to the problems associated with open-flame cooking in the developing world, as well as background information on sustainable technology. Living Things and Nonliving Things: A Compare and Contrast Book, by Kevin Kurtz (Author). Arbordale Publishing This book uses a variety of stunning photographs and poses thoughtprovoking questions to help readers determine if things are living or nonliving. For example, if most (but not all) living things can move, can any nonliving things move? Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth, by Nicola Davies (Author), Emily Sutton (Illustrator). Candlewick This book offers children the opportunity to develop awareness of both the many biomes of Earth and also of the many life forms. The illustrations are lovely and detailed while not overwhelming. It also covers extinction and the environmental problems facing life on Earth. What Do They Do with All That Poo? by Jane Kurtz (Author), Allison Black (Illustrator). Simon & Schuster There are so many different kinds of animals at the zoo, and they each make lots and lots of poo. So, what do zoos do with all of that poo? This book explores zoo poo, from cube-shaped wombat poo to white hyena scat, and all of the places it ends up. 377 SB&F October 2018

7 2019 AAAS/SUBARU SB&F PRIZE FINALISTS Middle Grades Science Book Champion: The Comeback Tale of the American Chestnut Tree, by Sally M. Walker. Henry Holt and Company Narrative nonfiction writer Sally M. Walker offers a detailed background of chestnut history, and thorough descriptions of various potential restoration options. Both historical and modern sections feature personal profiles of several researchers, giving an intimate and accessible feel to the history and science. Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World, by Elizabeth Rusch (Author), Karin Anderson (Photographer). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt This book follows the work of scientists as they search for dangerous asteroids in space, study asteroids that have smashed into the ground, and make plans to prevent an asteroid strike if one ever threatens our planet. Itch! Everything You Didn't Want to Know About What Makes You Scratch, by Anita Sanchez (Author), Gilbert Ford (Illustrator). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Itch combines history, anatomy, and funny illustrations to take readers on an exploration of what makes people itch. The book also provides tips on how to avoid and soothe the itch. My First Book of Quantum Physics, by Sheddad Kaid-Salah Ferron (Author), Eduard Altarriba (Illustrator). Button Books My First Book of Quantum Physics is an entertaining, illustrated guide for kids into the world of quantum physics. It explains key concepts and big ideas in a simple and accessible way, giving children a fun and engaging introduction to the fascinating and mysterious world of physics. Rewilding: Giving Nature a Second Chance, by Jane Drake and Ann Love. Annick Press In this comprehensive look at rewilding, the authors present examples of how endangered animals have been rehabilitated and returned to their natural habitats. From pandas and peregrine falcons to jaguars and wolves, their stories testify to the fact that the extinction of species can be avoided. Trash Revolution: Breaking the Waste Cycle, by Erica Fyvie (Author), Bill Slavin (Illustrator). Kids Can Press Using the contents of an average kid s backpack as a starting point, this book explores the production, use, and eventual end of products involving water, paper, food, plastic, clothing, metals, and electronics. The text offers information about the life cycle of common and necessary materials. 378 SB&F October 2018

8 2019 AAAS/SUBARU SB&F PRIZE FINALISTS Hands-On Science Book Alexander Graham Bell for Kids: His Life & Inventions with 21 Activities, by Mary Kay Carson. Chicago Review Press This hands-on science book helps kids learn about the work of one of America s great inventors. The biography includes a time line, a list of online resources, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to better appreciate Bell s remarkable accomplishments. Bug Lab for Kids: Family-Friendly Activities for Exploring the Amazing World of Beetles, Butterflies, Spiders, and Other Arthropods, by John W. Guyton. Quarto Group In Bug Lab for Kids, Mississippi State University associate professor, extension entomologist (bug expert), and educator John W. Guyton shares his knowledge and excitement about all things beautiful, creepy, and crawly. Dig In! 12 Easy Gardening Projects Using Kitchen Scraps, by Kari Cornell (Author), Jennifer S. Larson (Photographer). Millbrook Press This book offers 12 gardening projects for preteens, focusing here on the regenerative power of plants and their parts. An introduction provides garden basics: the needs of plants, the role of ph, U.S. plant hardiness zones, and pollination. Dog Science Unleashed: Fun Activities to Do with Your Canine Companion, by Jodi Wheeler-Toppen. National Geographic Children s Books Dog Science Unleashed presents 22 safe activities that kids can do alongside their dogs to discover what makes them tick. Each activity is paired with step-by-step instructions, interesting scientific explanations, and cool photographs. Light Waves, by David A. Adler (Author), Anna Raff (Illustrator). Holiday House How does light work? Where does it come from? What is it made of? These are the questions answered in Light Waves, a kid-friendly introduction to the physics of light! 379 SB&F October 2018

9 2019 AAAS/SUBARU SB&F PRIZE FINALISTS Young Adult Science Book Built: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures, by Roma Agrawal. Bloomsbury Built is an informative, entertaining, well-organized, and easily understandable journey through the history of a variety of engineering projects from around the world. It s all of this as well as an engaging and inspirational personal encounter with an articulate woman structural engineer. Chasing New Horizons: Inside the Epic First Mission to Pluto, by Alan Stern and David Grinspoon. Picador Chasing New Horizons is the story of the men and women behind the Pluto mission: of their decades-long commitment and persistence; of the political fights within and outside of NASA; of the sheer human ingenuity it took to design, build, and fly the mission; and of the plans for New Horizons next encounter, 1 billion miles past Pluto in 2019 Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon, by Robert Kurson. Random House Drawn from hundreds of hours of one-on-one interviews with the astronauts, their loved ones, NASA personnel, and myriad experts, and filled with vivid and unforgettable detail, Rocket Men is the definitive account of one of America s finest hours. Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures, by Nick Pyenson. Viking In Spying on Whales, Pyenson guides readers through the world of whales. Pyenson weaves his own personal research and encounters into the journey of the whale s prehistoric past, their survival and adaptation to a rapidly changing environment, and their evolution into the future. He captures the importance of scientific research through the beauty and mystique of whales partnered with vignettes and encounters throughout his discoveries. 380 SB&F October 2018

10 Read-Around-A-Theme: Spooky Science Photo Credit: Happy Halloween by JLS Photography - Alaska. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 via flickr. H alloween is a time when people get to let loose and have some fun. It also is a holiday that has a lot of spooky things associated with it and people give in to superstitions they have about certain animals like black cats, spiders, and bats. It s widely believed that Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhein when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints; soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before became known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes, and eating sweet treats. 381 SB&F October 2018

11 READ-AROUND-A-THEME: SPOOKY SCIENCE The Books Use these books to create a wonderful shared reading experience for kids and adults to learn about spooky science! For Younger Readers Animals That Make Me Say Ewww!, by Dawn Cusick. (Illus.) Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing, pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Elementary School This is a visually interesting foray into animal behaviors that may appear gross at first glance. However, these behaviors have important roles in maintaining their health, mating, rearing their young, and deterring predators. The author includes information about a wide range of species, including orangutans, jumping spiders, giraffes, earthworms, night herons, honeybees, dolphins, eels, etc. For example, praying mantises clean the sharp spines on their front legs to help get every last bit of energy from their meal and keeps their legs free from bacteria and fungi. In addition, rhinos and elephants eat their feces to bring helpful bacteria into their bodies. Amphibians, including frogs and salamanders, are covered in mucus that helps oxygen move into their bodies and carbon dioxide move out. Bite into Bloodsuckers, Kari- Lynn Winters and Ishta Mercurio. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index. Elementary School Bite into Bloodsuckers describes and illustrates animals that eat blood, including vampire bats, mosquitoes, horseflies, ticks, lice, lampreys, and leeches, among others. Short chapters on fossil insects, diseases spread by blood-sucking insects, medical applications of research on bloodsuckers, food webs, and tips on pest control and avoidance are included. Deadly Spiders, Matt Turner. (Illus. by Santiago Calle; from the Crazy Creepy Crawlers Series.) Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications, pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index. Elementary School and Middle School Deadly Spiders puts a lot of information into 32 lavishly illustrated pages. There s an introduction followed by two-page spreads on topics such as types of webs, venom and hunting, fishing, camouflage, mimicry, reproduction, humans and spiders, enemies of spiders, and other arachnids. Fabulous facts add to the basic information: are we sure that the prey eaten by spiders each year weighs more than the whole human race? This book is a valuable introduction to spiders, both for children and for the adults who read to them. Forgotten Bones: Uncovering a Slave Cemetery, by Lois Miner Huey. (Illus.) Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press, pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Elementary School and Middle School In 2005, sewer workers in Albany, New York dug up a skull. After the police and coroner declared that the site was not a crime scene, archaeologists, in particular bioarchaeologists, were allowed to take a 382 SB&F October 2018

12 READ-AROUND-A-THEME: SPOOKY SCIENCE closer look. It was determined that the skull was of an African American who had died at least 100 years ago. The site became an archaeological dig. A long-lost slave cemetery had been found, only the third such site ever discovered in the northern United States. Glow-in-the-Dark Creatures, by Natalie Hyde. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index. Elementary School Glow-in-the-Dark Creatures describes bioluminescence and some of the animals and fungi which produce light. Included are glow worms, fireflies, cave millipedes, fungi, comb jellies, dinoflagellates, bacteria, and anglerfish. The chemistry of bioluminescence is introduced. Photos of the organisms are included. This book contains many interesting facts about bioluminescence and will introduce young readers to some unique habitats. Monster Science: Could Monsters Survive (and Thrive!) in the Real World?, by Helaine Becker. (Illus. by Phil McAndrew.) Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, pp. $ Index. Elementary School and Middle School Want a creative and fun way to learn science? This book is a fantastic resource. Helaine Becker uses scientific findings to debunk the possibility that monsters exist. Furthermore, she presents numerous cross-discipline facts that will teach the reader about physics, chemistry, biology, and more. Ultimately, it is a great introduction to critical thinking by teaching the reader how evidence is used to answer questions. Spidermania: Friends on the Web, by Alexandra Siy and Dennis Kunkel. New York, NY: Holiday House Inc., pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Elementary School and Middle School Featured in this book are ten unique forms of spiders. The artwork includes more than 40 photographs, many being electron micrographs all are offered in a brightly colored format. Organized in short bits of information, more than a dozen topics are covered. Classification, anatomy, function, and ways to further explore the eightlegged forms are discussed. Each topic, from a study of spider silk to baby spiders (spiderlings) to varied spider forms to spider myths, is presented with a writing style that offers scientific explanations in thought-provoking statements. This is an interactive book with ways to note eye patterns of eight types of spiders, a seven-step identification key for common arachnid orders, numerous websites, and a two-page glossary for over 50 terms. Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature s Undead, by Rebecca L. Johnson. (Illus.) Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press, pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Elementary School and Middle School Why not use zombies to engage a younger audience in a biology lesson on some of nature s most interesting organisms? The illustrations add to the draw, showing how zombie makers use their hosts for their own gain. The language used is easily understood and engaging, allowing the reader to get lost in a story that is actually not a story, but a 383 SB&F October 2018

13 READ-AROUND-A-THEME: SPOOKY SCIENCE testament to the truly unique and strange in our environment. The author is also careful to include a section on each organism that focuses on the research behind the discoveries, a very nice addition and one that unknowingly introduces the reader to discovery and the scientific process. For Teens and Adult Readers Plight of the Living Dead: What Real-Life Zombies Reveal About Our World and Ourselves, by Matt Simon. New York, NY: Penguin Books, pp. $ ISBN Teens and Adults In Plight of the Living Dead, science journalist Matt Simon documents his journey through the bizarre evolutionary history of mind control. Along the way, he visits a lab where scientists infect ants with zombifying fungi, joins the search for kamikaze crickets in the hills of New Mexico, and travels to Israel to meet the wasp that stings cockroaches in the brain before leading them to their doom. Poison: Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines, by Sarah Albee. (Illus. by Karl Newsom Edwards.) New York, NY: Penguin Random House, pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index. Teens and Adults This is a delightful introduction for children into the world of science via toxicology. Young readers will be kept interested through clever book design. The author acknowledges more than two dozen scientists and others who assisted with fact collection. The subject matter is both eclectic and comprehensive. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of classic stories about poisonings with nuances correctly addressed, and no poisons were omitted that I would have wished included. The author has managed well the difficult task of remaining true to the science while incorporating abundant, brief, and punchy stories about the interesting history of poisons. Resurrection Science: Conservation, De-Extinction and the Precarious Future of Wild Things, by M.R. O Connnor. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press, pp. $ ISBN Index. Teens and Adults Resurrection Science by M.R. O Connor takes readers on a well-researched and comprehensive yet understandable tour of the field of conservation science. Using examples ranging from toads to whales, Florida panthers to Hawaiian crows, and more, O Connor identifies not only the herculean efforts and opportunities associated with perpetuation of endangered species, but also the options available through modern scientific methods to de-extinct species, such as Passenger Pigeons, using new genomic techniques. Readers will gain a broad understanding of the choices that must be made for each species and will be better able to appreciate whether outcomes will be worth the required investments. Secret Lives of Bats: My Adventures with the World's Most Misunderstood Mammals, by Merlin Tuttle. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, pp. $ ISBN Teens and Adults With incredible colorful photographs, detailed descriptions and behaviors of several species of bats in a variety of habitats are presented. The author s extensive research shows that bats are a group of diverse, intelligent, social mammals that 384 SB&F October 2018

14 READ-AROUND-A-THEME: SPOOKY SCIENCE are vital in pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control in many ecosystems. Readers will be surprised to learn that vampire bats have medicinal value. Although threats persist, the author remains optimistic about the awareness of the ecological and economic values of these misunderstood mammals. Shocked: Adventures in Bringing Back the Recently Dead, by David Casarett. New York, NY: Current, pp. $ ISBN Index; C.I.P. Teens and Adults Resuscitation is the process of restoring life to something that is dead. We do have an interest in restoring life after an accident, during recovery from surgery, or a problem with important life systems (heart attack). The focus of this book is on the history and science of our efforts to resuscitate. Also included are studies on hibernation, suspended animation, and cryonics. He asks whether the ethical, emotional, and financial costs involved in the heroic measures often used to resuscitate very old individuals on their deathbeds can be justified. This Is Your Brain on Parasites: How Tiny Creatures Manipulate Our Behavior and Shape Society, by Kathleen McAuliffe. (Illus.) New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, pp. $ ISBN Index; C.I.P. Adults This Is Your Brain on Parasites is both a journey into cutting-edge science and a revelatory examination of what it means to be human. Parasites can only live inside another animal, and as McAuliffe reveals, they have many evolutionary motives for manipulating their host s behavior. Drawing on a huge body of research, McAuliffe argues that our dread of contamination is an evolved defense against parasites and a double-edged sword. The horror and revulsion we feel when we come in contact with people who appear diseased or dirty helped pave the way for civilization but may also be the basis for major divisions in societies that persist to this day. Spooky Science Ireland is said to be the birthplace of Halloween. Jack o Lanterns were originally devised in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips as an attempt to keep the ghosts away. Vampire bats really do exist! They live in South America and feed on the blood of several animals, including cattle, horses, and birds. The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by a man named Joel Holland in His pumpkin was a whopping 2,363 pounds! Candy corn, a holiday favorite, has been around for over a century, since the year A full moon on Halloween is a rare and spooky occurrence. It is predicted that the next full moon to occur on Halloween will be on October 31, More chocolate is sold for Halloween than any other holiday including Valentine s Day. In fact, 90 million pounds of chocolate are sold during Halloween week alone. Being one of the oldest known veggies, the pumpkin originated in Mexico about 9,000 years ago. They generally weigh about 15 to 30 pounds. Different versions of trick-or-treating have been around since medieval times. It used to be called guising or souling. Instead of just simply knocking on doors and saying trick-or-treat, children had to dance in order to receive a treat. Orange and black are the staple colors for Halloween, but do you know why? It is because orange represents the fall harvest while black represents the darkness and fear. Adapted from 20 Spookingly Interesting Facts about Halloween 385 SB&F October 2018

15 READ-AROUND-A-THEME: SPOOKY SCIENCE Questions Do you know when the tradition of dressing up and going door to door to for food or coins began? Why do people wear costumes for Halloween? In what decade did trick-or-treating as we know it today start gaining popularity in America? The round orange pumpkins that are used for most jack o lanterns today are native to what continent? What is the name of the pigment that gives pumpkins their orange color? We are all used to carving pumpkins at Halloween, but this tradition was started with another vegetable. Do you know what it was? Where did candy corn come from? Do you know how it s made? Web Resources 13 Spooky Science Stories This collection of spooky science stories from Popular Science helps to celebrate the season. Climate Change Made Zombie Ants Even More Cunning A look at how a parasitic fungus that makes ants sabotage their own colonies has adapted to zombify their quarry better in different climates. Halloween Special: The Science Behind Frankenstein This article explains how the science of electricity inspired Mary Shelly s famous story. The Real Science and History of Vampires Published when Twilight was at its peak and Robert and Kristen were still an item, this article looks at parts of the vampire myth that are drawn from real life. The Science of Ghosts This is video from io9. In it, Mary Roach talks about the environmental factors that could explain ghost sightings. 386 SB&F October 2018

16 ADULTS 300 Social Sciences, Anthropology Brinton, Christopher G., and Mung Chiang. The Power of Networks: Six Principles That Connect Our Lives. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, pp. $ ISBN Index; C.I.P. C, GA end-to-end communications. The authors expose the underlying, and often simple, ideas that underpin all modern electronic communications. Excellent explanations reveal the workings of cell phone and WiFi networks. Readers are taken through how online rankings and recommendations of goods and services are computed. Network operations of Google, Facebook, and Netflix are explained. The details of how a post or video goes viral is particularly insightful. The discussion of crowds and social learning is very helpful. Network security is not covered in depth. However, the authors offer cautionary technical examples of how mass audiences can be leveraged to spread information even when the information is incorrect. Four short conversations with technology leaders are contained in the book. The conversations with Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn, widely regarded as the creators of the structure of the Internet, are particularly insightful about the history and future of the Internet. The book and its associated website have supported a Massive Open Online Course delivered to more than 100,000 students between 2013 and its 2017 publication.--g. William Troxler, President Emeritus, Capitol College, Laurel, MD 360 Social Issues Jackson, Jeremy B.C., and Steve Chapple. Breakpoint: Reckoning with America's Environmental Crises. New Haven, CT: Yale, pp. $ ISBN Index; C.I.P. C, GA This book provides a general audience with a clear, accurate account of how modern electronic networks function. The lucid text, insightful diagrams, and supporting website deliver useful, accurate, and interesting information. The highly technical subject of electronic networks is revealed through elegant examples, simple arithmetic, and only the occasional, vague aroma of algebra. The principles which organize the book focus on concepts of sharing, ranking, the wisdom and folly of crowds, Internet design and traffic routing, and It would seem somewhat ambitious to tackle in one book all of the environmental crises affecting the United States. The authors of Breakpoint approach the topic by distilling the coverage of these crises into the environmental consequences created by the Anthropocene era. Personal accounts of people dealing with anthropogenic environmental crises are provided as evidence supporting the research data and observations about global climate change, resource depletion, monoculture, and pollution. The stories include farmers whose livelihoods are compromised by unusual shifts in climate, residents 387 SB&F October 2018

17 ADULTS in cities who are suffering from illnesses associated with contaminated drinking water, and policymakers dealing with the consequences of resource depletion. Much of scientific data about a particular environmental crisis is presented as narratives of researchers working with the specific issue. The issues discussed in the book are not sensationalized or presented in a dystopic manner. All of the data and science that is discussed is accurate and reflects mainstream viewpoints. The personal stores are not used to force an opinion on the reader. Rather, they are used to make the issues more tangible to the readers. Towards the end of the book, the authors divulge a common thread to all the crises. They validate that an over-reliance on unsustainable and non-resilient lifestyles fosters all of these crises. The book ends with an epilogue that provides practical and realistic strategies for remediating the crises. Ample current primary and secondary references are provided.--brian R. Shmaefsky, Kingwood College, Kingwood, TX the other physical phenomena and laws. There is an appropriate amount of historical background and an interesting timeline just before the prologue. The book is very up-to-date with discussions of gravitational waves, dark matter, and dark energy. The use of footnotes on many pages is very useful. The appendix and the notes section give the interested reader the opportunity to dig deeper into the meaning of gravity. There is also a postscript on the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics. This book is filled with Zee s little gems. I highly recommend it.--clyde Zaidins, University of Colorado, Denver, CO 530 Physical Sciences Zee, A. On Gravity: A Brief Tour of a Weighty Subject. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, pp. $ ISBN Index; C.I.P. C, T, GA The book on gravity: a brief tour of a weighty subject, written by a. zee (Professor Anthony Zee) is a welcome addition to the series of books by the author discussing scientific topics for general audiences. (The use of the lower case is the author s choice.) Zee has written two earlier books on gravity that are still in print, Einstein Gravity in a Nutshell and Einstein s Universe: Gravity at Work and Play. The former work is rather technical, and the latter book is for beginners. The goal of Zee in writing this book was to find a good middle ground between these two earlier gravity books. The timing of this book is connected to the announcement of gravitational wave detection by LIGO. (Zee predicts that eventually we will be calling them gravity waves.) The author s writing style is very clear and conversational. He places gravity in the context of 570 Life Sciences Hineline, Mark L. Ground Truth: A Guide to Tracking Climate Change at Home. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago, pp. $ ISBN Index; C.I.P. C, GA Ac 388 SB&F October 2018

18 ADULTS Impacts of changes in climate are evident throughout the natural world. Most people are aware of climate change as expressed through dramatic storms or rising sea level, but author Mark Hineline argues in this small book that climate change can be tracked by thoughtful people everywhere, simply by becoming more aware of their surroundings. A professor of the history, philosophy, and sociology of science, Hineline introduces readers to the science and practice of phenology, the careful recording of one s own immediate environment or dooryard. Drawing on Henry David Thoreau s practice of carefully recording events in his immediate surroundings at Walden Pond, Hineline argues that all citizen-scientists can contribute to tracking climate change by carefully recording events, such as stages in plants growth and seasonal changes in behavior and abundance of animals from insects to birds and mammals and that such records, amassed through time by many observers, have much to offer future generations. Unfortunately, the author fails to provide readers with examples of the kind of records he espouses. As a trained scientist, I have spent decades recording observations, and have learned through bitter experience that the ability to record information in a standardized manner is essential to future analyses. I read this book looking for guidelines to the structuring of records and notes, so they might best be merged into larger databases for future analyses, and found such information lacking.--dale Toweill, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, ID 389 SB&F October 2018

19 JUNIOR HIGH AND YOUNG ADULT BOOKS 590 Zoological Sciences Hanson, Thor. Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees. New York, NY: Basic Books, pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index; C.I.P. YA, C, T, GA presenting this information, the author introduces the scientists, past and present, who study bees and shows the progress of using science to further our understanding of the natural world. The heart of the books is the special relationship that has evolved between bees and flowering plants. Hanson details how both the current biology of bees and plants are intertwined but also the importance of the coevolutionary relationship between the groups in explaining the diversity in both groups that we see today. The final sections of Buzz describe the great practical importance of this relationship to humans as concern grows about how our actions might be impacting bees, and what the loss of bees might mean for the plants we depend on for food. Buzz is sure to increase your appreciation for bees and you may even be inclined to follow the example of Hanson and his young son and try to entice bumblebees to nest in your yard.--john McCarty, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE 610 Medical Sciences, Psychiatry Lemery, MD, Jay, and Paul Auerback, MD. Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, pp. $ ISBN Index; C.I.P. YA, C, T, GA When most people hear of mounting concern about the conservation of pollinators, their first thoughts go to honeybees. While not discounting the importance of honeybees, the stated goal of Thor Hanson s Buzz is to introduce readers to the wider world of bees. Among its topics, Buzz provides an accessible overview of the origins and evolution of bees. The book covers the variety of social systems found in bees, ranging from species that live as solitary individuals to those with the highly integrated social system seen in honeybees, all the variations in-between, and even cuckoo-bees who trick other species into raising their offspring. In Armed with their respective vast medical backgrounds together with realistic documentation of selected case histories, the authors provide a well-rounded case, as well as a number of informative arguments, with which to tackle the obstacles against accepting the existence of climate change posed by political interests and the plain and simple diehards. Eviromedics is defined early in the book as the impact of environmental change upon human health and as its related study. The pronounced detrimental ramifications of changing environments on human health, especially on individuals with preexisting health conditions, are effectively documented in appropriate chapters. There is no mincing of words by the authors to emphasize that global warming and the resulting climate disruptions are here and very real. 390 SB&F October 2018

20 JUNIOR HIGH AND YOUNG ADULT BOOKS Enviromedics is presented to the reader in four parts. The first three delve into the effects and the challenges confronting all of humanity in one form or another. Specific topics include the direct damage resulting from extreme weather events, which include the stress of heat on food production, increases in arthropod and insect diseases and allergens, and the dramatic occurrences of algal blooms and their consequences. Part 4, the grand finale, contains two particularly important chapters: namely Chapter 12, which emphasizes the potential danger posed by global climate changes to the continued existence of beneficial plants and animals and Chapter 13, which discusses the concept of climate justice. This concept zeros in on the impact of climate change as an ethical issue and as it relates to human rights, and uses the approach emphasized in the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The point stressed here is that climate change, whether individuals realize it or not, directly interferes with and undermines the rights contained within the UN Declaration and in particular with the most vulnerable populations. This is quite an important concept for the reader to contemplate. Enviromedics also contains an extensive bibliography, notes section, index, and an afterword consisting of a collection of the views on the challenges of global warming by selected, next generation leaders in various fields of endeavor. Drs. Lemery and Auerbach present discussions and supporting documentation of the clear, present, and potentially future dangers posed by global warming and the resulting climate changes. Environmedics clearly spells out the challenge that it is time, or perhaps significantly past time, for some citizens and political leaders of the world to not only make conscious efforts to understand the nature of environmental threats to their well-being, but to develop and universally employ strategic measures to control the human-related activities that worsen the effects of global warming.--george Allen Wistreich, East Los Angeles College, Monterey Park, CA 620 Engineering Slade, Suzanne. Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon. (Illus. by Thomas Gonzalez.) Atlanta, GA: Peachtree, pp. $ ISBN C.I.P. JH, YA, T, GA The author, Suzanne Slade, has produced a wonderful volume on the early heady days of space exploration with a focus on the Apollo missions but with sufficient introduction of Mercury and Gemini background. This book, Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon provides readers of all ages with a very nice prosaic history of Apollo. Slade embraces free verse and stanza to present the text, but it works wonderfully and achieves two major goals: (1) an honest presentation of science and scientific exploration, and (2) the importance of determination to achieve goals. The illustrations created by Thomas Gonzalez fit beautifully within the presentation format of the text and the layout of the book. Since the focus is NASA and Apollo, of course the book is highly male-oriented but given the time period, that s how it was. But boys and girls alike who are interested in space exploration will benefit from the message of the book. The author and artist provide a well-balanced text for many age groups.--john E. Dockall, Pflugerville, TX 391 SB&F October 2018

21 CHILDREN S BOOKS 500 Pure Science Masoff, Joy, with Jessica Garrett and Ben Ligon. Oh, Ick! 114 Science Experiments Guaranteed to Gross You Out! New York, NY: Workman Publishing, pp. $ ISBN Index; C.I.P. EP, EI, EA, JH, YA response to light, the external features of the eye (through an eyelid), parallax/visual perception, and creating a lens. The fast-paced tone will appeal to children raised on Nickelodeon, yet still encourage and reassure readers. Reasonable safety concerns are presented, and photos depict reasonable examples of successful experiments. It may be particularly helpful for parents or teachers seeking to engage, motivate, and inspire elementary and middle school science or preparing science fair projects.--jimmy Tung, Hargrave Military Academy, Chatham, VA 510 Mathematics Oxley, Jennifer, and Billy Aronson. Peg + Cat: The Lemonade Problem. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, pp. $ ISBN C.I.P. K, EP Masoff and her team continue to build upon the success of the Oh, Yuck series with a book of experiments for the home, classroom, and reference files. Written to the student, 114 experiments (most are better described as demonstrations that generate data) with explanations and some leading questions are presented. After a rudimentary overview of safety and the scientific methods, the experiments are grouped in alphabetically sequenced units from Arachnids to Zits. Interestingly, they do segue into each other, but generally as a zany stream of consciousness rather than a methodical approach. Each unit contains a few hundred words, fun illustrations or imagery, and hands-on activities. For example, the eyeball unit (one of the longest) contains images of eyeballs, text on physiology and anatomy, and experiments on crossing eyes, pupil Peg + Cat: The Lemonade Problem is an engaging storybook with some important mathematics embedded. Peg and Cat appear on a popular animated television show that airs on PBS Kids (Public Broadcasting Service). The mathematics of the Lemonade Problem includes the number sense concepts of equivalence, greater than, and less than. Peg and Cat want to sell lemonade in exchange for marbles, and they set an initial price of 10 marbles per cup. This proves too high for their clientele, so they drop their price. Graphical representations support the mathematics. A sign over the lemonade stand, for example, shows the number 1 next to a picture of a cup of lemonade, an equals sign, and the number 10 next to a picture of 10 marbles. As the price changes, so does the sign. When it s time to obtain cups, a bar chart helps Cat determine if various quantities of cups will be sufficient. Interesting characters from a variety of cultures appear throughout the book, helping to keep both the story and the mathematics engaging. A few exercises are included on the inside of the jacket that nicely complement the mathematics of the story, reinforcing and extending the underlying concepts and inviting the reader to do their own problem-solving.--ben Sayler, Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD 392 SB&F October 2018

22 CHILDREN S BOOKS Oxley, Jennifer, and Billy Aronson. Peg + Cat: The Pizza Problem. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, pp. $ ISBN C.I.P. K, EP Peg + Cat: The Pizza Problem addresses important mathematics in an engaging way. Using animated characters from the popular children's television series Peg + Cat, which airs on PBS Kids (Public Broadcasting Service), the Pizza Problem tackles the concept of half versus whole. Peg and Cat are running a pizza restaurant, and their customers order pies in increments of one half. This context lends itself well to the mathematics, but one component of the content is a little troublesome. The concept of half is presented as a semicircle of pizza without any attention to generalizing. While half of a circular pizza can indeed be a semicircle, there are infinite other ways to arrive at one half. The semicircle example is also problematic for things not circular. Soon after defining half, Peg is asked to help celebrate the half birthday of a girl who is thirteen and a half years old. This seems like the perfect opportunity to address the idea that halves are not always semicircles, but the book makes no mention of it. The rest of the mathematics is strong, however, including good treatment of the addition of halves and excellent graphical representations throughout that lend support to the mathematics.--ben Sayler, Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD 520 Astronomy Olson, Tod. Lost in Outer Space: The Incredible Journey of Apollo 13. New York, NY: Scholastic, pp. $ ISBN Glossary. EI, EA Tod Olsen gives a captivating account of the Apollo 13 mission presented in a way that children can understand. He describes much of the activity in mission commander James Lovell s house through the eyes of his daughter, who brought notes to school before each of her father s spaceflights saying: Please excuse Barbara; she s going to Florida to watch her father get blasted into space. (21) Barbara Lovell was sixteen when an oxygen tank on Apollo 13 exploded, resulting in critical loss of oxygen and power. Olsen describes how this explosion forced NASA engineers to work with the astronauts to develop a plan to return the three-person crew safely to Earth. This accurate and well-illustrated account shows the evolution of the strategy of using the Lunar Module, designed only for two crewmembers, as a lifeboat, stretching the spacecraft s oxygen and power supplies to their limits. Olsen portrays the anticipation in the Lovell family room and around the world, as an estimated billion or more people followed the ordeal of the astronauts, as the Apollo 13 command module reentered the atmosphere and safely landed in the Pacific Ocean. The Epilog attempts to place Apollo 13 in historical context, but presents an incomplete picture of the 393 SB&F October 2018

23 CHILDREN S BOOKS Apollo program, suggesting it provided little in return for its high cost. The book fails to mention a major objective of Apollo, to restore America s global prestige, at which the program succeeded. Planetary scientists would certainly dispute his statement that six moon landings brought back 850 pounds of moon rocks and soil. None of it told us much about the origin of the moon. (194) Analyses of these moon rocks, coupled with measurements by instruments Apollo brought to the moon, resulted in the development of the global impact theory for the moon s origin.--george J. Flynn, State University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY 530 Physical Sciences Diehn, Andi. Forces: Physical Science for Kids. (Illus. by Shululu; from the Picture Book Science Series.) White River Junction, VT: Nomad Press, pp. $9.95. ISBN Glossary. EP, EI, EA Ac some concepts are at a more advanced level. A ten-word glossary that includes both science and non-science meanings found throughout the book could cause confusion. Forces covered are motion, friction, magnetism, and gravity. Each force is presented on four pages with only magnetism having possible investigations. Magnet poles are mentioned without explanation and locations. This would be a good resource for older children with limited reading skills. It would be appropriate to be used as a unit introduction on each force since the illustrations will motivate children.--lloyd H. Barrow, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO Diehn, Andi. Matter: Physical Science for Kids. (Illus. by Shululu; from the Picture Book Science Series.) White River Junction, VT: Nomad Press, pp. $9.95. ISBN Glossary. EP, EI, EA Ac Matter is an abstract topic for 5-8-year-old children. The illustrations are well matched to the prose throughout the book and will appeal to readers. This 28-page book devotes the first five pages to non-science meaning for matter. Matter is clearly defined and illustrated. It identifies light and heat as not being matter. One page is devoted to plasma, which can be omitted since it confuses the topic. Limited questions are provided to promote discussion. Appropriate sections can be used by teachers as a review to a matter unit.--lloyd H. Barrow, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO Diehn, Andi. Waves: Physical Science for Kids. (Illus. by Shululu; from the Picture Book Science Series.) White River Junction, VT: Nomad Press, pp. $9.95. ISBN Glossary. K Ac Energy: Physical Science for Kids. ISBN This 28-page book for K-3 students is part of the Physical Science for Kids series. Illustrations of children match the targeted audience. However, These two slim books do serve to introduce their topics to young children and to encourage further learning, but it might help to have a sensible adult present to explain some of the contents better, including some of the more unfortunate examples: Energy is an invisible force that travels as a wave. (p. 5 of Waves), and A wave is how light moves through air. Light travels in waves from the sun to 394 SB&F October 2018

24 CHILDREN S BOOKS planet Earth. (p. 17 of Waves). (Without air present out there, of course.); and Energy from sunlight is called light energy. (p. 21 of Energy). The pleasant illustrations in these picture books show children fully involved in interacting with their surroundings; they are mostly interesting and helpful but sometimes potentially confusing, as when both the sun and two other stars are shown visible in the sky at the same time (pp of Energy). To sum up, I think kids can definitely gain in awareness and curiosity about nature from these two books, and I don t think their several flaws will cause much harm, especially if an adult is around to answer questions.--steven Kilston, Interstellar Consultants, Cottage Grove, OR study. They may even want to start their own museum of science to share their experiments with friends and family. Mason Jar Science includes a Glossary, A Metric Conversion Chart, A Barometric Pressure chart, and an Index. It is always fun when you can be a scientist at home and explore all areas of science at your own pace.--teresa F. Bettac, Retired Middle School Teacher, Galena, OH 540 Chemistry Adolph, Jonathan. Mason Jar Science: 40 Slimy, Squishy, Super-Cool Experiments. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishers, pp. $ EI, EA, JH Before reading Mason Jar Science by Johnathan Adolph, start collecting pint size or larger mason jars right away because everyone will want to use these jars to study Chemistry, Earth Science, Botany, and Physics immediately in the kitchen. Actually, your kitchen will quickly become a magic space where young scientists can create a lab that will be perfect for using the scientific method to solve the many mysteries of science. Setting up a science lab in the kitchen may seem difficult but this beautiful book will give you all sorts of ideas on how to complete each activity. Every page has eye-popping designs and each experiment has step-by-step instructions for students to follow. Materials for the experiments may be found in and around the house. The 125-page book is a book you can skip around and have several projects going on at the same time. Some of the experiments require some help for safety purposes, but most of the experiments can easily be completed by students. If it is making a Better Bubble or Growing Plants in a Jar or creating a Bug Vacuum, kids will always find something fun and educational to explore and 570 Life Sciences Jenkins, Steve, and Robin Page. Who Am I? An Animal Guessing Game. (Illus.) New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, pp. $ ISBN C.I.P. K, EP Information on cover three of this book states, This is the seventeenth book they [the authors husband and wife] have written together. Many are written for young children, and deal with 395 SB&F October 2018

25 CHILDREN S BOOKS various animals, their characteristics and life habits. This book, as well as others, is illustrated by the first author and are cut- and torn-paper collage. These large, colorful illustrations will no doubt capture the attention of young children. Also, young children will no doubt be intrigued by the cover of this book. It contains two large circular holes, revealing an interesting set of animal eyes, shown on the title page. The book presents clues about seven animals, and then asks the child to guess the animal represented. In the past, the use of anthropomorphism in the science book was a strict no-no. But, considering the age of the audience for which this book is written, one can probably forgive the personalization of the animals. The book appears to be most suitable for preschool and early elementary children. Very young children will no doubt need to have the book read to them. The last four pages of the book will be of help and interest to teachers, parents, and older children. They contain information about the eating habits, habitat, appearance, and size of each animal depicted. There is also an interesting fact about each one. In addition, the book concludes with additional references about these and other animals. This book would be a good gift for a young child, or an interesting addition to a school or public library.--jacqueline V. Mallinson, Retired, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI Yolen, Jane. On Gull Beach. (Illus. by Bob Marstall.) Apex, NC: Persnickety Press, pp. $ ISBN K, EP A young boy walking along a beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, starts to grab a bright red starfish, but it is quickly snatched away by a gull. In simple rhyme, the story follows the starfish as it is dropped by one gull, picked up by another, passed from gull to gull, and then finally recovered by the boy who sets it back into a tidepool. This story captures a moment in time, a glimpse of interaction between boy and fun-loving Herring gulls. The gulls are not humanized their vocalizations seem like laughter, but otherwise the gulls are bird-like, although not particularly sympathetic, and no attempt is made to understand their behavior. We empathize with the starfish, however, when she is eventually saved from slaughter. At the end of the book, text and color photographs describe the common shorebirds and invertebrates of the region, and a final note recommends how the reader can help beaches and wildlife. QR symbols offer readers the opportunity to use their mobile phones to hear vocalizations of some of the shorebirds. The full-page, colorful illustrations are by the artist, Bob Marstall. The book is aimed at preschool and early elementary children.--judy Diamond, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 590 Zoological Sciences 396 SB&F October 2018 Fredericks, Anthony D. Tall Tall Tree. (Illus. by Chad Wallace.) Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications, pp. $ ISBN C.I.P. K Tall Tall Tree introduces young children to the enormous redwood trees found only along the coastal regions of northern California and southern Oregon. The book focuses on animals that live in the trees, and it does so with many illustrations along with rhyming text that also help young children in counting to ten. After a short introduction, the counting begins with a two-page illustration devoted to each animal, from one eagle

26 to ten spotted ladybugs. For each number, readers are encouraged to count the featured animals appearing in the illustration, and the total will match the number highlighted. The primary focus of the book appears to be assisting children with counting, as the short rhymes appearing on each page provide little information about the animals or the redwood trees. However, after the counting portion of the book is completed, the final four pages are devoted to interesting information about redwoods and animals that live in and around them. Adult readers must determine what information is appropriate for the intended audience. CHILDREN S BOOKS The many illustrations appearing throughout the book are pleasing, but the artwork lacks sharp detail that unfortunately comes across as somewhat blurry. What I found most disappointing is that no actual pictures of redwoods appeared in the main text. While one small picture of a human standing alongside a fallen redwood appears in the text for teachers and parents, at least some large pictures of redwoods should have appeared in the main text to provide children a glimpse of just how large they are. This, in turn, would more effectively inspire them to learn more about and perhaps visit the redwood forests. The information for teachers and parents appearing at the end of the book contains extensive and interesting information that is well worth reading and accessing, particularly if an early childhood teacher chooses to use the book in teaching science to young children. This book would be more interesting to children if developmentally appropriate versions of some of the information appearing on these two pages appeared in the main text along with actual pictures. Overall, Tall Tall Tree is an enjoyable book for assisting young children in counting, but it falls short in conveying the majesty of redwoods in a way that would amaze and excite them about these towering trees.-- Michael P. Clough, Professor of Science Education, Texas A&M University Ho, Minfong. An Eagle's Feather. (Illus. by Frances Alvarez.) Apex, NC: Persnickety Press, pp. $ ISBN K, EP This engaging book tells the heartfelt story of an endangered Philippine eagle who is shot by hunters, found by villagers, recovers in captivity, and is released into the wild. Through simple text and colorful illustrations by the native Philippine artist, Francis Alvarez, the book attempts to help young children begin to understand and appreciate an endangered bird they have never seen. The authors use a first-person voice to make the eagle more familiar we get the opportunity to read its mind, but lo, it thinks just like we do! The question begs: does the story encourage our young readers to want to save the eagle? And if so, is it because the eagle seems so human? Is it possible to introduce the concept that birds think in entirely different ways from ourselves, and at the same time, motivate young readers to care about their demise? The book offers many additional opportunities to get to know the eagle. At the end, text and color photographs describe the biology of the Philippine eagle and threats to its future survival in the wild. QR symbols offer readers the opportunity to use their mobile phones to hear vocalizations, connect 397 SB&F October 2018

27 CHILDREN S BOOKS to a short film about the eagle, and learn more about conservation efforts.--judy Diamond, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE Holland, Mary. Animal Tails. (Illus.) Mt. Pleasant, SC: Arbordale Publishing, pp. $ ISBN C.I.P. K, EP, EI history.--kathryn Stanley Podwall, Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY Jenkins, Steve, and Robin Page. Look at Me! How to Attract Attention in the Animal World. (Illus.) New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, pp. $ ISBN C.I.P. EI, EA This book was written by a husband and wife team who have published a number of books about animals, designed for young children. This book discusses some interesting adaptations displayed by certain animals. These may involve changes in appearance and/or behaviors of various animals. Most of the changes occur in the males of the species, and are designed to attract mates, avoid predators, or defend their territory. The book describes the changes that take place in 39 different animals. In this 32-page book, a dozen animals are featured, each in a two-page spread. The forms vary from insects through amphibians, birds, and assorted warm-blooded forms. The large photos should provide young readers with a I am there... type sensation. The book has brief but well-constructed factual knowledge vignettes. The author includes questions for one to consider personal experiences as well as opinions. There is a For Creative Minds section to encourage further study through two activities plus a further review of five animals not covered in prior pages. Children between the ages of four through nine should especially enjoy broadening their understanding about the many roles for assorted animal tails. This book is part of a series featuring body parts. Other books in the series already have looked at animal mouths, eyes, and legs. No specifics indicate if any other body parts will be on focus in the future, but the author expresses having a life-long passion for natural The book contains large colorful illustrations, crafted by the first author and done in torn- and cut-paper collage. The illustrations should appeal to youngsters of all ages, but the text is rather sophisticated, and appears to be most suitable for middle- and upper-grade children. Phonetic spellings are given for a few rather difficult scientific terms. It might have been helpful to introduce such aids for a few more terms. Of particular interest and value to older children, as well as teachers and parents, is the information presented on the last four pages of the book. A brief paragraph is presented about each of the 39 animals introduced in the body of the text. Each paragraph provides interesting facts about each animal, as well as information about its size, habitat, feeding habits, and mating habits. The book concludes with a list of additional books and internet sites that provide further information about the topic. (39) The book should be of interest to any readers who are intrigued with interesting facts about animals.--jacqueline V. Mallinson, Retired, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 398 SB&F October 2018

28 CHILDREN S BOOKS Lang, Diane. Daytime Nighttime, All Through the Year. (Illus. by Andrea Gabriel.) Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications, pp. $ ISBN C.I.P. K, EP Ac Daytime Nighttime, All Through the Year introduces young children to two important ideas: some animals are active during the day while others are active at night, and animal behavior changes with the changing seasons throughout the year. To illustrate these ideas, the book progresses monthly through the year with the left page devoted to daylight and the opposing page devoted to nighttime. On each page, rhyming verse introduces a variety of animals as being active during the day or night. The text is easy to follow, assists in vocabulary development, and conveys a point about the featured animal s activity. The many illustrations appearing throughout the book are pleasing, but actual pictures along with the illustrations would make the book far more interesting. While the book does convey different animal behavior at times of the day and year, it presents information that even young children may see as inaccurate. For instance, the portion of the book addressing February shows bears sleeping during the day but does not make clear they hibernate day and night through much of the winter. March features spiders spinning their web during the day, in contrast to the information appearing at the end of the book claiming spiders build their nests at night to catch prey in the morning. The text accompanying September states that geese migrate south, but in many localities geese, if they migrate at all, do so in October or November. Clearer examples of diurnal/nocturnal animals along with unambiguous examples illustrating changing animal behavior throughout the year would better serve young readers. While Daytime Nighttime, All Through the Year will effectively introduce young children to differing animal behavior during the day, night, and throughout the year, it may unnecessarily create misconceptions. Elementary teachers using this book should be prepared to clarify the text and examples provided in the book.--michael P. Clough, Professor of Science Education, Texas A&M University Miettunen, Anita. Big Blue Forever: The Story of Canada's Largest Blue Whale Skeleton. Markham, ON, Canada: Red Deer Press, pp. $ ISBN Kt Ac Blue whales, the largest animals to ever exist on this planet, make a great subject for a children s book. Here the focus is on the skeleton of a female blue whale that was excavated after being buried for 20 years on Prince Edward Island. The skeletal parts were moved to Vancouver, British Columbia where they were assembled for display in a museum. In the interim, bones had to be cleaned and, in some cases, repaired by artisans. A missing flipper even had to be found. The book includes biographical notes of key personnel involved in the project, an introduction to the Canadian system for designating endangered species, and a review of the threats to the blue whale. Threats include noise pollution and whale watching. 399 SB&F October 2018

29 CHILDREN S BOOKS For young nonreaders sitting with an adult reader, the book may work well. But there s much missing that will frustrate young readers. Most inexplicably, the first 33 pages, which are labeled fictional and could have been omitted, are missing numbers. And there s no map. A map showing Prince Edward Island and Vancouver would have meant a great deal more than a comment about moving the bones a great distance. Many children will see the first photo of the Cat excavator and want to know more about the machine. Similarly, how was the skull cut in half? A photo indicates it was with a chainsaw. Liberal use of exclamation marks distracts. The death, burial, and eventual unearthing and assembly of the bones of the giant beauty need no embellishment just facts, and more of them.-- Diane M. Calabrese, Silver Spring, MD Sidman, Joyce. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science. (Illus.) New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, pp. $ ISBN Glossary; Index; C.I.P. EI, EA 17 th -century scientist and painter who famously observed and documented the metamorphosis of butterflies when it had yet to be understood even by academics. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies will appeal to children and adults curious about butterflies, the history of science, and botanical art. The biography is broken into digestible chapters that mirror the lifecycle of the butterfly: egg, instar, molting, flight, etc., and follow young Merian as she herself metamorphoses into a published author, renowned entomologist, and beloved painter. The biographical narrative is supported by extensive context; readers will learn a great deal about butterflies, but also methods of medieval craftsmanship and the evolution of scientific knowledge. To her credit, Sidman does not shy from the grimmer details of 17 th -century life: she fairly and honestly discusses colonialism and the slave trade, the witch trials, and the oppression of women. Merian s life bridged science and aesthetics, and just so, every visual detail of this book is exquisite. It is artfully arranged so the reader feels they are flipping through the pages of a journal of a travelling botanical illustrator. It is enchanting. The ultimate message of The Girl Who Drew Butterflies is the importance of pursuing passions and obsessions, and of striving to achieve goals that seem out of reach; timely for middle-grade students. It will be appreciated by young artists and those fascinated by the natural world, and it would be a great addition to lessons on metamorphosis or the scientific method.--psyche Z. Ready, Term Instructor, Engligh Department, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA Stanek, Linda. Night Creepers. (Illus. by Shennen Bersani.) Mt. Pleasant, SC: Arbordale Publishing, pp. $ ISBN C.I.P. K, EP Poet Joyce Sidman has written a delightful, middle-grade biography of Maria Sibylla Merian, The younger users of this book can learn from the pictures with typically a two- or three-word caption. Material from the right sidebar text could add much 400 SB&F October 2018

30 for this book to serve as a nap time or bedtime story or a read for those children able to read. Study of a dozen different animal forms brings many facts about diurnal, crepuscular (most active at dawn or dusk), and nocturnal animals. At the back of this book, the For Creative Minds section provides three varied learning activities. Night Creepers is both a beautifully illustrated book as well as a repository for many compact descriptions about the behaviors of interesting animals.--kathryn Stanley Podwall, Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY CHILDREN S BOOKS Check Back In December We ll announce the WINNERS for the 2019 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize! 401 SB&F October 2018

31 FILMS 330 Energy, Environment, Natural Resources Khosla, Maya. Searching for the Gold Spot: The Wild after Wildfire. Green Planet Films, PO Box 247, Corte Madera, CA ; Color. 30 mins. DVD. $ $ SDH captioned. T, GA Filmmaker Maya Rani Khosla was on assignment with an environmental consulting company in national forests and public lands of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains. She was following a team of biologists from the John Muir Project, which is dedicated to stewardship of federal forests. These biologists were studying biodiversity in burned and unburned forests. She was so impressed with the recovering biodiversity in naturally burned forests that she decided to document in film what she saw and learned. After an extended prologue on fire as a natural part of forest ecology, viewers learn that the biologists were actually searching for a rare bird, the Black-Back Woodpecker, whose preferred habitat is burned forest. The woodpecker s back feathers make them naturally camouflaged against the dead burned trees or snags. (The male has the titular gold spot on its head.) Smoke from the smoldering wildfire attracts insects, particularly wood boring beetles who lay eggs on the snags and whose larvae bore into the wood, providing food for many species of birds, including the Black-Backed Woodpecker and close relatives, White-Headed and Hairy woodpeckers. These three species are able to peck-out nesting holes in the snags, providing habitat for themselves and species such as Mountain and Western bluebirds unable to bore into wood. The bird life of the regenerating forest, patiently and skillfully captured on film, also includes Pileated Woodpecker, Williamson s Sapsucker, Western Wood Pewee, Mountain Chickadees, and California Spotted Owl. All of these species are vividly seen raising young in the recovering burned forest. The footage also shows post-fire vegetation in healthy green, including dogwood, paintbrush, and conifer seedlings popping up like popcorn. The filmmaker's contention is that present federal forest management policies fail to recognize the burned forest s tremendous value for natural regeneration, but instead are outdated and behind the science, relying on clear cutting and salvage harvesting that benefits logging companies over biodiversity. However, the science of changing climate is completely ignored in this film. Prolonged drought and high temperatures are lengthening the fire season and increasing the intensity of wildfires. Research is beginning to show that some post-fire forests are not recovering as in the past; tree regeneration is reduced, and some areas are not recovering at all. In a changing climate, managing wildfires, forest ecosystems, and continued expansion of the wildland-urban interface will require new and innovative science-driven policies.- -Frank M. Truesdale, Emeritus, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA Marroi, J. Esgleas. A Word to the Wise. Green Planet Films, PO Box 247, Corte Madera, CA ; mins. Color DVD $ $ SDH Subtitles. JH, YA, GA A Word to the Wise is a documentary film in DVD, HD, color, stereo format. It is 27-minutes in length and can be played with sub-titles in English, French, and or Spanish. This documentary takes place in the Solomon Island s archipelago of Melanesia, South Pacific, 3000km Northwest of Sydney, Australia. The viewer s guide and speaker is Douglas Lui Fo'oa. He provides a general background as to the origins of the island s peoples and how they have progressed over the years, learning to exist within 402 SB&F October 2018

32 FILMS the natural environment as well as themselves. He tells of how the different tribes went through periods of war, tribal beliefs in animals such as crocodiles and sharks (spirits of their ancestors), and periods of cannibalism, testing the powers within the peoples and the land and sea environment. The peoples of the Solomon Islands consider the land and sea environment to be their mother and the richness of life comes from their mother. They wish to preserve the environment and when they sell their land and resources to outsiders, they are selling life of their mother. They are peaceful peoples and try not to see or copy what happens in the world outside their islands. 550 Earth Sciences Dallol Expedition: On the Frontiers of Life. Film Ideas, Inc., 308 N. Wolf Road, Wheeling, IL 60090; Color. 52 mins. DVD. $ Closed captioned. YA, C, T, GA A Word to the Wise presents an idyllic place and peoples that should lead the viewer to try and be a good shepherd of the world's environments and try to make the world a better place to live.--felix M. Massey III, Rising Sun High School, Rising Sun, IN The Dallol region in northern Ethiopia combines the most extreme conditions of heat, acidity, and salinity of any place on Earth a rapidly-changing landscape of boiling pools, fumaroles, emerald ponds, and glowing orange and yellow encrustations. In this most inhospitable of environments, an international team of scientists is searching for signs of life. If they succeed, it will expand our ideas about when and where life could have originated, either on other planets or in the early eons of our own, which may have presented similar conditions. This film chronicles their expedition. We meet a crystallographer, microbial ecologist, geologist, evolutionary biologist, and others, as they collect 403 SB&F October 2018

33 FILMS and analyze samples. They explain their aspirations for the project as well as the workings of their instruments and the results. A little background information is provided on the salt trade and the history of this fascinating region. The collegial interactions among the male and female scientists of different nationalities provide a realistic and appealing glimpse of field work. At the end of the film, we learn that samples sent off-site for analysis did indeed reveal the presence of microbes, raising exciting prospects for future research. The film will appeal to anyone with an interest in geology. It will also make a good addition to discussions of the evolution of life on Earth or the detection of life on other planets. The filmmakers forgo the use of gimmicks (staged interactions, animations, pop music, simplified explanations, suspense, a storyline) to capture the viewer s attention, so it may seem slow going for younger or less contemplative audiences, but the stunning cinematography provides a constant interest.-- Martha Leah Chaiken, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 630 Agriculture Marsolais, Ken. The Bullish Farmer. Video Project, Post Office Box , San Francisco, CA ; Color. 80 mins. DVD. $ $ SDH captioned. GA The Bullish Farmer in an interesting yet conflicted film. It follows the transition of John Ubaldo John Boy from a wall street investment banker to that of small family farmer. It describes the difficult learning curve, the cultural change, and the hard work needed to succeed as a farmer. The landscapes are beautiful and pastoral images of cattle grazing in golden sunlight create an idyllic scene of the small family farm. Mr. Ubaldo describes his transition from a reserved struggling farmer to that of an outspoken critic of conventional farming practices that favor the large corporate system of agribusiness over the small family farm. Mr. Ubaldo sees the agribusiness model as favored by the current governmental system of commodity funding resulting in a slow erosion of the traditional small family farm. There are segments in the film when Mr. Ubaldo is a bit dramatic using phrases such as good clean food that is derived from the traditional small family farm while chemical and sprays associated with the current agribusiness model have replaced knowledge. The film has numerous scenes where Mr. Ubaldo s words and opinions are typed across the screen, many of which condemn farming practices tied to large corporations. The film has a segment that focuses on GMOs, which are viewed as a means to generate corporate profits and are of no use to farmers as it ties them into a corporate controlled process of higher inputs and costs. Statements are made, including, many farms who want to play with the big boys and plant GMOs results in a decrease in yield and a for sale sign in front of the farm. Most of the anti-gmo rhetoric targets Monsanto and glyphosate resistant corn but there is a view that the use of GMOs and the drive for corporate profits creates an environment where small farms cannot compete. Mr. Ubaldo does mention that there might be a use for genetic 404 SB&F October 2018