by Wade David Fairclough & Chris Ferrie & Byrne LaGinestra ; illustrated by Wade David Fairclough ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2021
Proceed with caution.
A book that includes instructions for pranks and the science behind how and why they work.
An introductory note to readers explains that evidence of pranks goes back hundreds of years and that one must be sure the victim is ready to be pranked before proceeding. Four sections follow. In “Making a Mess,” pranksters are taught the science of preparing exploding ketchup and erupting cola. In “Wanna Bet?” readers learn to use cheater’s dice and play mind games that make them appear clairvoyant. “Clean Classics” are for dedicated jokesters with time to prepare stunts, such as fake spills, ahead of time. “Messing With a Mind,” which involves subjects’ psychological responses, contains the least risky and perhaps most interesting proposals. Each prank is set up with a shopping list; ratings of how funny, messy, dangerous, and scientific it is; warnings to remember; and illustrated instructions. Two-page spreads offer notes on related science topics, ideas for taking the prank to the next level, and reflection questions for readers. While the variety of pranks may offer something for everyone, the collection is heavy on messiness. The (light) science is explained in a user-friendly way, offering some benefit as a fun way to learn. Many of the pranks will annoy and, if warnings are not heeded, may damage possessions; pranksters might learn as much about reading social cues as they do about science.
Proceed with caution. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: April 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-72822-374-2
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
Share your opinion of this book
More by Chris Ferrie
BOOK REVIEW
by Chris Ferrie ; illustrated by Chris Ferrie
BOOK REVIEW
by Chris Ferrie
BOOK REVIEW
by Chris Ferrie & Neal Goldstein & Joanna Suder ; illustrated by Chris Ferrie
by Sy Montgomery & photographed by Eleanor Briggs ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2001
The author of The Snake Scientist (not reviewed) takes the reader along on another adventure, this time to the Bay of Bengal, between India and Bangladesh to the Sundarbans Tiger Preserve in search of man-eating tigers. Beware, he cautions, “Your study subject might be trying to eat you!” The first-person narrative is full of helpful warnings: watch out for the estuarine crocodiles, “the most deadly crocodiles in the world” and the nine different kinds of dangerous sharks, and the poisonous sea snakes, more deadly than the cobra. Interspersed are stories of the people who live in and around the tiger preserve, information on the ecology of the mangrove swamp, myths and legends, and true life accounts of man-eating tigers. (Fortunately, these tigers don’t eat women or children.) The author is clearly on the side of the tigers as she states: “Even if you added up all the people that sick tigers were forced to eat, you wouldn’t get close to the number of tigers killed by people.” She introduces ideas as to why Sundarbans tigers eat so many people, including the theory, “When they attack people, perhaps they are trying to protect the land that they own. And maybe, as the ancient legend says, the tiger really is watching over the forest—for everyone’s benefit.” There are color photographs on every page, showing the landscape, people, and a variety of animals encountered, though glimpses of the tigers are fleeting. The author concludes with some statistics on tigers, information on organizations working to protect them, and a brief bibliography and index. The dramatic cover photo of the tiger will attract readers, and the lively prose will keep them engaged. An appealing science adventure. (Nonfiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-618-07704-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2001
Share your opinion of this book
More by Sy Montgomery
BOOK REVIEW
by Sy Montgomery ; illustrated by Tiffany Bozic
BOOK REVIEW
by Sy Montgomery ; illustrated by Matt Patterson
BOOK REVIEW
by Sy Montgomery ; illustrated by Rebecca Green
by Alexandra Siy ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2001
In this glossy photo essay, the author briefly recounts the study and exploration of the moon, beginning with Stonehenge and concluding with the 1998–99 unmanned probe, Lunar Prospector. Most of the dramatic photographs come from NASA and will introduce a new generation of space enthusiasts to the past missions of Project Mercury, Gemini, and most especially the moon missions, Apollo 1–17. There are plenty of photographs of various astronauts in space capsules, space suits, and walking on the moon. Sometimes photographs are superimposed one on another, making it difficult to read. For example, one photograph shows the command module Columbia as photographed from the lunar module and an insert shows the 15-layer space suit and gear Neil Armstrong would wear for moonwalking. That’s a lot to process on one page. Still, the awesome images of footprints on the moon, raising the American flag, and earthrise from the moon, cannot help but raise shivers. The author concludes with a timeline of exploration, Web sites, recommended books, and picture credits. For NASA memorabilia collectors, end papers show the Apollo space badges for missions 11–17. Useful for replacing aging space titles. (Nonfiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-57091-408-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2001
Share your opinion of this book
More by Alexandra Siy
BOOK REVIEW
by Alexandra Siy ; illustrated by Marlo Garnsworthy
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by Alexandra Siy ; photographed by Dennis Kunkel
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.