Wizardry with appeal for those both science-inclined and not.
Science enchantment explored through 30 projects.
Florance offers an intriguing entry into scientific phenomena for middle-grade readers. She groups these magical-seeming but science-based projects into five broad categories: infusions (acids, bases, and indicators), illumination (light), sorcery (forces such as gravity and electromagnetism), alchemy (physical and chemical changes), and mimicry (biologically inspired engineering). Each section includes an introduction explaining why these phenomena appeared magical to people in the past and a brief overview of the scientific concepts. Each activity is introduced with a “spell” consisting of four rhyming lines that outline the project’s process and outcome. The materials will require some adult help to obtain, and adult supervision is often suggested. The step-by-step directions are clear and accompanied by colorful drawings and photographs. The projects range widely in scope and difficulty. Using pliers, readers take apart a highlighter pen to make flowers fluoresce under black light. Young people are also invited to complete an electric circuit through a pencil-line drawing and create “rune stones” with clay and small magnets. More skilled readers can cook food that glows under black light and make meringues from chickpea liquid and candles in a solar oven. For those who like to tinker, there are clever wiggle-bots made with hobby motors, batteries, LEDs, and hot glue. Teachers and youth group leaders as well as parents will welcome this volume.
Wizardry with appeal for those both science-inclined and not. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: July 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-72823-252-2
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore
Review Posted Online: April 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The author of When Bugs Were Big, Plants Were Strange, and Tetrapods Stalked the Earth (2003) continues her droll but dependable tour of deep prehistory, focusing here on the flora, fauna and fungi of the Silurian and Devonian Periods, approximately 360 to 44 million years ago. This was the time when larger forms of life began to emerge on land, while, among the far richer variety of marine animals, fish wriggled to the top, thanks to newly developed jaws which allowed them “to say good-bye to a monotonous diet of teensy stuff. Now fish could grab, slice and dice to their heart’s content.” By the end, soil, forests and, of course, feet had also appeared. Fearlessly folding in tongue-challenging names and mixing simply drawn reconstructions and maps with goofy flights of fancy—on the first spread Robin Mite and Friar Millipede are caught on a stroll through Sherwood Moss Patch, and on the last, genial nautiloid Amphicyrtoceras plugs the previous volume—Bonner serves up a second heaping course of science that will both stick to the ribs and tickle them. (index, resource lists, time line) (Nonfiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: Oct. 9, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-4263-0078-3
Page Count: 48
Publisher: National Geographic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2007
Extreme storms never cease to appeal. This visually tempting title defines and explains the storms people call twisters, gives examples of four particularly devastating ones in this country, describes tornado watchers at work, offers a hands-on activity and suggests precautions for tornado safety. Aimed at middle-grade readers, it includes step-by-step explanatory text, striking images and helpful graphics. The author introduces Ted Fujita and his tornado-measuring scale. She makes clear that tornado formation is still a scientific mystery. Much of the explanatory text is printed on a backdrop of remarkable photographs of storms and storm damage. Sidebars introduce extra information, vocabulary and short firsthand accounts of storm experiences with snapshots. Along with the clear explanations and visual interest, this volume and its companion, Carson’s Inside Hurricanes (ISBN: 978-1-4027-5880-5), are thoughtfully designed. The many fold-out and fold-up pages work. A symbolic arrow directs the reader; pages are numbered clearly and consecutively. Even the backmatter—bibliography, source notes, further resources and glossary—is on a fold-up page. Maps show storm locations in this country and around the world. Impressive. (index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4027-5879-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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