Category: STEM - READING STYLE GUIDE

Trivial Pursuits

12/28/2018

100 Questions About Oceans by Simon Abbott

What did one tide pool say to the other tide pool?
Show me your mussels!

Simon Abbott's subject-specific trivia books are jam-packed with fascinating factoids.

100 Questions and About Oceans covers a wide range of ocean-related data including basic underwater geography and ecology, ecosystems, marine animal records, well-known marine biologists, historical shipwrecks, and protecting aquatic life.

Information is presented as a series of questions with corresponding answers, formatted in brief easy-to-read statements.

How does the goblin shark hunt in the dark?
Its snout is lined with natural sensors called ampulae, which detect weak electrical fields from living creatures. The shark simply tracks down its prey, open its retractable jaws, and ... chomp!

Bright colors fill the pages. Animalia have expressive faces with googly eyes and winsome smiles. Some scientific terms and animal species names appear in bold face type with the pronunciation in parenthesis.

Text is replete with puns that will delight young readers and probably elicit groans from adults.

Why did the fish blush?
Because it saw the ocean's bottom!

This kid-friendly series is sure to be a hit with those who enjoy interesting and sometimes obscure informational tidbits.

More Questions & Answers

Copy provided by publisher

Pub date: December 1, 2018 Publisher: Peter Pauper Press, Inc. ISBN: 978-1441329394

Love By the Numbers

12/18/2018

How Many Hugs? by Heather Swain ill Steven Henry

This board book is a little gem. Consider the following:

The engaging text has a song-like quality using rhymes and rhythms.
Lesser-known animal species are introduced.
Math multiples, an interesting concept rarely covered in picture books, is a major component.
It's forever and always a celebration of the enduring love of a parent.

Heather Swain infuses the text with some powerful scientific terminology: appendages, arachnids, cephalopod, isopod, tentacles. She weaves them so smoothly into the rhymes that they easily roll off the tongue.
Steven Henry's charming illustrations provide important context clues for unknown words. The bold color pallet and winsome facial expressions on the animal faces are a delight.

How Many Hugs? pays tribute to parental love and affection and is offered with a generous serving of STEM.
This checks off the boxes on my great gift criteria for: baby showers, young readers, kids who love animals, and youngsters who are fascinated by numbers.
How many hugs can I give to How Many Hugs?

The Benefits of Hugging

“We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
Virginia Satir, family therapist

According to Healthline newsletter:

Hugs reduce stress by showing your support
Hugs may protect you against illness
Hugs may boost your heart health
Hugs can make you happier
Hugs help reduce your fears
Hugs may help reduce your pain
Hugs help you communicate with others

Hug + Book= Happiness

Copy provided by publisher

Pub date: December 18, 2018, 2018 Publisher: Feiwel & Friends ISBN: 978-1250066510

Think Pink

10/12/2018

Sanity and Tallulah by Molly Brooks

"don't break any ethical research tenets or laws of nature until I get back"

Molly Brooks has done it. Pink is now the signature color for action and adventure. This brilliant comic stars eighth-graders who are smart and resourceful, devious and daring and __ girls!

Sanity Jones, along with her friend Tallulah Vega live onboard space station Wilnick. Tallulah’s mother, Science and Engineering Director, discovers the girls are deep into a clandestine scientific project. Sanity has created a three-headed kitten, affectionately named Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds.

"Let me make sure I'm following your thought process here. You're feeding your carnivorous bioengineering experiment experimental bioengineered meat that you cloned yourself-"

To everyone's horror, the kitten escapes and havoc reigns on Wilnick. A pet gerbil is murdered, something is chewing up major electrical system wires, and coolant leaks are wide-spread. Naturally everyone suspects the triple-headed feline.

The girls must locate Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds and possibly save her life (or is it lives?) They hope to discover the cause of the station's devastation and exonerate themselves. Under cover of night, creeping through air ducts, the girls are on the case. They discover the shocking truth and realize that the entire space station could be destroyed. It is up to the kids, with a huge assist from their parents, to save Wilnick.

Brooks doesn’t even try to get too scientific or technical, peppering the girl’s dialogue with terms such as taffimatter, dual-core turbinate, and gravity grenade. Readers will be captivated by the campy wild adventure without becoming overly concerned with how these things actually work.

The dialogue is snappy and spot on, capturing the spunky young explorers, their stressed-out parents, and the inner politics of a closed-community in outer space. Panels are drawn with a sure hand, featuring plenty of action and highly expressive faces. Use of numerous viewpoints brings added dimension. Of special note, the view from inside the air duct openings, looking out on the scene below is fantastic. And the pink. Did I mention all that vivid pink?

Sanity and Tallulah is the real deal. A dynamic duo who are willing to go where no one else dares to go. They are astute and more than a little bit reckless. The girls are constantly tinkering and experimenting, much to the chagrin of their parents, who view them with equal parts pride and exasperation. I hope Ms. Brooks is taking good care of her inking hand because demand for more Sanity and Tallalah is inevitable.

Sneak Peek: More Sanity & Tallulah

Looking for more of the duo's adventures?
View some sample pages.

Head over to Comixology to order these webcomics.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 16, 2018 Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1368008440

Makers Wanted

10/9/2018

Made by Maxine by Ruth Spiro ill Holly Hatam

"If I can dream it, I can make it."

Maxine, a thinker and tinkerer, joins the ranks of iconic young inventors. Her specialty is repurposing items to create something new and better. Our spunky little heroine is determined to create a habitat for her goldfish Milton. He is worthy of more than an ordinary round fishbowl. Maxine sets to work.

The result is astonishing. Not content to rest on her laurels, she enhances her invention with a pedal-powered fish feeder and a Makey Makey sound system. Cowabunga! Her problem-solving skills are put to the test when her teacher announces that the class will have a Pet Parade. How can she include her goldfish in this event? This dilemma proves to be her most daunting challenge to date. Multiple attempts to solve the problem result in multiple failures.

She had already discovered a million ways that would not work. Which meant she was getting closer to finding a way that would work.

Her hard work and determination eventually pay off. Maxine includes Milton in the Pet Parade with an invention Made by Maxine.

While messages of recycling and inclusion are woven into the narrative, it is Maxine's persistence in the face of setbacks that shines through. Spiro has created one determined little girl. Hatam's illustrations are brimming with clever and inventive touches. (Love the "wheelie delicious" fish-feeder that Maxine operates while reading Fish Tales.)

Let's hope that some little inventor shows up for Halloween dressed in sparkle shoes, a flouncy skirt and a knitted thinking cap with attached antenna.

Companion Resources

Meet this trio of young problem-solvers.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 9, 2018 Publisher: Dial Books ISBN: 978-0399186295

Follow Me

9/24/2018

Little Whale by Jo Weaver

"Are we nearly there?"

It begins south of the equator. A mother gray whale senses that it is time to leave the shelter of warm waters and migrate to northern feeding grounds. Her young calf accompanies her for the first time. The journey is filled with wonders as well as dangers: a coral reef, schools of shimmering fish, passing ships, and sharks,
Realistic physical representation of these noble creatures dovetails nicely with the anthropomorphic elements. Readers young and old can relate to the calf’s repeated query “Are we nearly there?” The protective and loving relationship of a mother for her child is reinforced throughout the text. Migration patterns, an exploration of deep-water life, and a gentle reminder of parental love are all brought to life through gorgeous expressive art.

There are so many reasons to love Little Whale. Illustrations features cool, steely shades of blue. A monochromatic pallet is a brilliant decision. Whales are an integral part of ocean life and fit naturally in the beauty and terror that lies in deep waters.

Weaver's principal medium is charcoal. This could be an excellent opportunity to introduce the technique to youngsters. Use large sheets of paper so that students have plenty of space to work. Compressed charcoal or charcoal pencils are sturdier than vine charcoal. Warning: charcoal can be messy. Provide clothing cover-ups and plan for washing hands after the art session.

Bonus: Illustration Workshop

Jo Weaver shares the process for creating her illustrations for the picture book Little One.

After reading Little Whale, view live footage of an encounter with gray whales. A close-up look at these mammals is fascinating and informative.
Inspiration for young researchers and artists.
Science meets art.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 1, 2018 Publisher: Peachtree Publishers ISBN: 978-1682630495

In Second Place...

9/11/2018

Oliver: The Second-Largest Living Thing on Earth
by Josh Crute ill John Taesoo Kim

Why the obsession with being first? Josh Crute explores this ever-present phenomena in Oliver: The Second-Largest Living Thing on Earth.
Meet Oliver, a mighty sequoia standing 268.1 feet tall. One would think that this height would be impressive. Unfortunately, it is not. There is a taller tree: Sherman, coincidentally bearing a marked resemblance to the world's largest sequoia: The General Sherman Tree located in Sequoia National Park.

Oliver notes that Sherman is the recipient of constant attention. He, on the other hand, receives no notice. Disheartened but not daunted, he begins a regime to increase his stature. "Stretch(ing) limbs" and "munch(ing) on mulch" fail to produce results. Sherman is still bigger and taller.
What's a second-place finisher to do?

The answer comes quite by accident. Oliver changes his point of view. That's when he notices an entire forest of other sequoias. None are as tall as Sherman. However, there are a lot of them. A. Lot. They make up the Sequoia National Forest and it is indeed impressive.

John Taesoo Kim renders the sequoias with insightful details. Sherman has a bushy leaf beard, mossy green growth beneath his armpit branches and some impressive tattoos sprouting on his limbs.

Oliver has scrawny branches for arms, ending with puffs of leaves that resemble cheerleader pom poms. Anthropomorphism is only evident among the sequoias. All other forest vegetation is depicted as silhouettes.

The final pages provide information on actual sequoias as well as some great factoids on other natural and geographic second-largest record-holders. A terrific follow-up activity would be to research other second-largest world records. There is definitely a place for all second-place finishers!

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 11, 2018 Publisher: Page Street Kids ISBN: 978-1624145773

Magnificent Achievement

8/29/2018

Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon
by Suzanne Slade ill Thomas Gonzales

"...it will not be one man going to the moon...it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there."
President John F. Kennedy, May 25, 1961

Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon chronicles events leading up to and concluding with the first lunar landing on July 20, 1969. The narrative begins with the challenge uttered by President John F. Kennedy in May 1961.

I believe that this nation should commit itself
to achieving the goal, before this decade it out,
of landing a man on the moon
and returning him safely to the earth

Suzanne Slade, a mechanical engineer who worked on several space projects including the development of Saturn V rocket, is well qualified to write this superlative work of nonfiction. Her lyrical text vivify the marvel of space exploration. The free verse is accompanied by direct quotations, systematically describing each of the eleven Apollo missions.

Then he spots something surprising
almost surreal.
A brilliant blue ball,
wrapped in wispy white cotton,
rising about the stark horizon.
Earthrise on Christmas Ever, 1968.

Throughout the narrative, Slade adroitly ratchets up the tension. Readers experience the triumphal achievements, small moments of wonder, near misses, and heartbreakingly tragic disasters encountered my NASA teams during the eight-year-long venture.

The computer flashes a warning.
"It's a 1202," Armstrong informs Mission Control.
He's never seen this alarm in a simulator.
Not once.
"What is it?" he asks Aldrin.
He gets no response.

Fear slithers in.
Will they crash?
Will they have to abort/
Will they be able to return home?

Seconds feel like hours,

Thomas Gonzalez carefully detailed, realistic paintings capture the wonder of space exploration. His style allows the readers to place themselves directly into the experience. In addition to sweeping majestic vistas, he includes personal touches. One of my favorite images features silhouettes of family members, eyes riveted to the television screen, watching the progress of Apollo 11. Included in the family portrait is a faithful family dog, joining in witnessing this extraordinary event.

Gonzalez' paintings are enhanced with infographic spreads located between chapters. They include NASA photos of the flight and brief astronaut bios, complete with official head shots. A nice touch is an image of the commemorative patch designed for the flight.

Book design is stellar. Generous trim size (10.3" x 11") while accessible and easy to handle, gives added emphasis to the grandeur of this achievement. The book's text, with clear clean font is thoughtful placed, awarding the narrative added significance. For contrast, pages describing the Apollo 8 expedition as it moves to the far side of the moon are black with striking white text.

Brilliant page design allows the images to bleed beautifully and naturally across the gutters, creating a seamless fusion of image and text.

Back matter nicely rounds out the volume with additional textual information titled “More About Team Apollo” and “Bringing Apollo 11 Home.” Notes from both author and illustrator, Selected Bibliography, Sources for Quotations, and Photo credits are included.

This handsome volume heralds the significance of this seminal event in the history of the United States and space exploration. A worthy commemorative of the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing and a valuable addition to public, school, classroom, and home libraries, Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon, will inspire future generations of explorers.

400,000 men and women-
never gave up.
Together,
They made the dream
come true

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 1, 2018 Publisher: Peachtree Publishers ISBN: 978-0399246531

Reach for the Stars

7/19/2018

Path to the Stars:
My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist
by Sylvia Acevedo

“Is there a badge for you somewhere in the stars? “ my troop leader wondered. ‘Maybe studying space? “

Meet Sylvia Acevedo, daughter of a Papa, Texas chemist originally from Mexico and Mami, a native of Mexico who didn’t speak English. She recalls this story of her birth:

Some of the babies had blond hair. Some had brown hair or no hair at all, and nearly all of them had fair skin. Only one baby had very dark hair. “That was me!”

Acevedo grew up in Las Cruses, New Mexico, surrounded by a close-knit family. Young Sylvia had the desire to learn about her world and the drive to excel in a wide variety of endeavors. She credits the Girl Scouts with helping her learn to set goals and work to achieve them.

From childhood she realized that she had an affinity for numbers and a curiosity to learn how things work. By the age of thirteen, she assumed the responsibility of maintaining the family vehicle, including changing the oil. In junior high school, she opted out of home economics class, choosing instead to take an additional math course. Interestingly, one of the most challenging Girl Scout badges for her to earn was the cooking badge.

I was nine years old, living in a small desert town. And on that day I decided I would go to Stanford someday.

In addition to excelling academically and advancing in Girl Scouts, Sylvia enjoyed basketball. Eventually she reached a point during her college years when she had to make a choice: continue competing on the court or focus her attention on preparing for a career in engineering. She chose engineering. This was a groundbreaking career choice, as engineering was not considered an option for women.

They'd never had a woman engineer, so they didn’t even have a bathroom for women in the test labs.

Sylvia pioneered the work of women in the sphere of science and math. Her achievements resulted in advances in the study of rocket science at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Equally important is the encouragement that her story provides for young girls, particularly for those from under-represented ethnicities and cultures. Her story can be the story for aspiring scientists everywhere.

Introduce middle grade to students to the remarkable Sylvia Acevedo: a girl who had a plan, worked hard and never gave up on her dream. This inspiring memoir belongs in all libraries, classrooms, and organizations which serve young people.

"My parents were proud of me, but now, I knew it was more important that I was proud of myself."

From Brownie to NASA scientist. Still the same winning smile!

There is another hero in this story: Sylvia's amazing mother. She was a woman determined to make life better for her children. Before Sylvia was old enough to attend school, her mother arranged for Sylvia and her brother to learn to read and write English. She also enrolled Sylvia in what was considered at the time to be a questionable program: Head Start. She helped Sylvia obtain a library card, open a savings account, and supported her participation in Girl Scouts. Mami learned to drive a car and made the decision to relocate her family to a neighborhood with more favorable schools. What remarkable women! Both Mami and Sylvia have my admiration and respect.

”'Are you happy?'! And, I finally realized, Mami asked the only question that really mattered."

Bonus

My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist (English edition)
is also available in Spanish:
Camino a las estrellas: Mi recorrido de Girl Scout a ingeniera astronáutica

This autobiography is enhanced with liberal use of personal and family photographs inserted throughout the text. The author's "Note about Girl Scouts Yesterday and Today" provides context.

Companion Reading

Super Women:
Six Scientists Who Changed the World

First Girl Scout:
The Life of Juliette Gordon Low

Hidden Figures:
Young Readers Edition

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 4, 2018 Publisher: Clarion Books ISBN: 978-1328809568

Soul of Invention

5/15/2018

Calling All Minds by Temple Grandin with Betsy Lerner

How to Think and Create Like an Inventor

"if you want to create, you need to take things apart and put them back together with your own hands."

Calling All Minds is an intriguing mix of inventor mini-biographies, images of registered inventions from the U.S. Patent office, and step-by step project instructions for youngsters. Grandin frames all these elements within a running narrative describing her personal journey of discovery. She introduces readers to her thinking process, her experiments with various concepts, and schematic drawings of her creations.

"There is no better way to start than by making things of your own design. All the projects I made when I was young contributed to the inventions I've made throughout my life. And they have given my life meaning. I hope these projects and the ones you create will do the same for you."

The book is organized into five general sections: "Things Made of Paper," "Levers and Pulleys," "Things Made of Wood," "Things That Fly", and "Optical Illusions." Each section includes a cornucopia of material that is loosely connected. Like the discovery process, they do not flow in a strict linear fashion, instead inviting moments of serendipity along the way.

"Things Made of Paper" chapter callout boxes contain a plethora of STEM-related components. Readers will find brief introductions to the history of these inventions: moveable type, the typewriter, Liquid Paper, scissors, and Crayola crayons. Bonus material includes an explanation of the term QWERTY and a discussion of the Fibonacci "golden ratio." Makers are treated to directions for creating Handmade Paper, Paper Snowflakes, a Crystal Snowflake, a Kaleidoscope, and Water Bombs.

A treasure trove for the curious, creatives, tinkerers, inventors, makers and problem-solvers. It will find a place in libraries, classrooms, after school programs, summer camps, scout troops, homeschool curriculum, professional development collections, as well as personal and family bookshelves.

"I observed a situation that needed to be fixed...I could see in my mind how to do that. Then I learned how to draft and communicate my ideas. And that, as far as I can tell is the soul of invention."

Review based on copy provided by the publisher.

Pub date: May 15, 2018 Publisher: Philomel Books ISBN: 978-1524738204

Never Give Up

5/3/2018

Izzy Gizmo by Pip Jones ill Sara Ogilvie

There's a new little inventor in Kid Lit and her name is Izzy Gizmo. She maintains a massive collection of various pieces and parts. Always on the lookout for new and creative invention ideas, she designs such items as a spaghetti eating contraption and a mechanized teapot. Unfortunately, many of these brilliant ideas do not work out. It is only when she recognizes the need to help a crow with a broken wing that Izzy's efforts succeed.

Everything about this book is a delight! The title is spelled out in stylized letters resembling gears and parts. Wide-eyed Izzy: sporting round spectacles, pencil behind the ear, and held aloft with a bizarre contraption is the epitome of our plucky young heroine. End papers created from relief images of moving parts echo the theme. Then there's Izzy's ever-present tool belt and her boots. How could I forget the boots?

Pip Jones’ rhyming text is lively, making this picture book an excellent read aloud. Words such as “tweak" "glitch" "piston" "circuits" and "sprockets” provide opportunities for discussion and exploration.

Sara Ogilvie's illustrations capture the enthusiasm, discouragement, and determination of young Izzy. However, grandpa often steals the show. His long-suffering patience with Izzy and her string of inventions, allowing himself to be the object of her study, is priceless. His optimism after his granddaughter shaves a large swath down the middle of his head, is a testament to the power of his love. When Izzy gets discouraged, his never-failing confidence in her ability to solve a problem spurs her on.

After a long string of failures, Izzy is determined to try and help her friend fly again. Her willingness to try, fail, and try, try again offers reassurance to creative thinkers and problem-solvers everywhere. There’s a lesson here: desire, determination, creativity, and learning from mistakes is the formula for solving problems.

Makers Make It Happen

Meet more inquisitive, inventive, and determined young problem solvers.

The Most Magnificent Thing
by Ashley Spires

Mary Had a Little Lab
by Sue Fliess ill by Petros Bouloubasis

Ada Twist, Scientist
by Andrea Beaty ill by David Roberts

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
by Mark Pett, Gary Rubinstein

Review based on uncorrected text copy.

Pub date: March 1, 2018 Publisher: Peachtree Publishers ISBN: 978-168263021