(3) YA Exiled after a cruel betrayal causes her to fail her coming-of-age trial, Rasmira leaves her village for the treacherous wilds, where she meets fellow exiles Iric and Soren. Working together, they can accomplish their "mattugrs"--impossible tasks--and return to their villages, but Rasmira's mattugr is daunting: she must assassinate a god whose supernatural powers kill at a gesture. Growing self-confidence, humorous banter, and an incipient romance distinguish this fantasy adventure.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 As twins Tempest and Tally approach their thirteenth birthday, traveling with their grandfather's carnival for the summer, something is pulling them apart--not just figuratively but literally. Tally tries to combat this destructive magnetic energy alone but discovers that she must rely on Tempest's strengths, too, if there's hope of preserving their relationship. The story's magical realism blends well with the sisters' complicated bond.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Anna Raff. This informative, interactive exploration of magnets and magnetism encourages readers to track down materials and investigate on their own. Each physics concept is carefully explained at just the right level and anchored in visible phenomena. Adler addresses common misconceptions or skillfully constructs lines of reasoning that prevent them from developing. Illustrations provide a friendly and helpful guide to the activities described in the text. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(4) K-3 My Day Learning Science series. In this very basic introduction, a slight easy-reader text points out new vocabulary words in bold-colored type while the magnets take center stage in the large color photos. The concept of different poles attracting each other and same poles repelling each other is presently clearly and simply for the very young. Discussion questions are appended. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) K-3 A+ Books: Simply Science series. This volume skims through magnets' basic properties and their uses in society. Clear photographs and diagrams paired with simple sentences keep this book accessible to young science learners. The content is minimal, but clear organization and subject headings make the flow of information easy to follow. A basic supplemental activity helps illustrate how magnets work. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristine Caldwell

(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: Key Questions in Physical Science series. Each volume lucidly introduces a major topic in the physical sciences through definitions of important terms, profiles of scientists and their historic discoveries, and applications to everyday experiences. Most pages include numerous relevant photographs and clear diagrams of science concepts. A "Try It!" activity is included at the end of each book. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: Key Questions in Physical Science titles: Energy Investigations, Forces and Motion Investigations, Magnetism Investigations, Sound and Light Waves Investigations, States of Matter Investigations, Electricity Investigations.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Science at Work series. With one to three brief sentences per page, these leveled readers serve as adequate, albeit simplistic, introductions to mass, temperature, and other physical science topics. Photographs show everyday objects that illustrate the concepts--though some photos may need explanation--as well as obviously posed children of various ethnicities engaging in activities or pondering the information. Glos. Review covers the following Science at Work titles: Electricity at Work, Magnetism at Work, Elements at Work, Light at Work, Mass at Work, and Temperature at Work.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 All About Science series. These books, designed for a primary-grade audience, superficially introduce the concepts of force and magnetism. Royston uses short sentences and simple language to explain the basics of these principles, while bland stock photos and easy experiments (interspersed throughout, with results appended) adequately illustrate and exemplify them. Both books include a quiz. Reading list. Glos., ind. Reviews cover the following All About Science titles: All About Forces and All About Magnetism.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Essential Physical Science series. Accurately if somewhat jumpily, these question-and-answer-format books explain and illustrate their title principles. Topics such as clashing forces and uses for evaporation are covered on crammed spreads including several blocks of text, color photos with boxed captions, diagrams, and sidebars. Each book contains three experiments, some more practical than others. Overall, these are browsable, useful overviews. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Physical Science titles: Forces of Energy, Magnetism, and Solids, Liquids, and Gases.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Last-Minute Science Projects series. Typical science activities are sorted by the amount of time they take to complete--all under an hour, for readers desperate to meet their homework deadlines. Step-by-step directions, diagrams, and full explanations of the results undermine the learning potential, although each experiment is accompanied by good but easy-to-bypass suggestions to "keep exploring." Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Last-Minute Science Projects titles: Atoms and Molecules Experiments Using Ice, Salt, Marbles, and More, Electricity and Magnetism Experiments Using Batteries, Bulbs, Wires, and More, Energy Experiments Using Ice Cubes, Springs, Magnets, and More, Human Body Experiments Using Fingerprints, Hair, Muscles, and More, Simple Machine Experiments Using Seesaws, Wheels, Pulleys, and More, and Solids, Liquids, and Gases Experiments Using Water, Air, Marbles, and More.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 My Science Investigations series. After a too-brief introduction to the underlying science and a description of scientific method, readers are guided through a series of basic experiments (testing metals and nonmetals for magnetic attraction; plant growth conditions). Proper procedure is emphasized throughout, and readers are encouraged to ask their own research questions. Color photographs show children engaged in the activities. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these My Science Investigations titles: Experiments with Magnets and Metals and Experiments with Plants.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Searchlight Books: How Does Energy Work? series. These books start with definitions of force, work, and machines, then explain how machines reduce the amount of force needed to do work. Interactivity is encouraged, as readers are directed to perform simple experiments along with children shown in accompanying pictures; the texts provide guidance on what to look for. Clear explanations, relatable examples, and effective visuals make these solid selections. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: How Do Simple Machines Work? titles: Put Inclined Planes to the Test, Put Levers to the Test, Put Pulleys to the Test, and Put Wheels and Axles to the Test.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Easy Genius Science Projects series. Dozens of life- and physical-science activities are presented with background information, step-by-step instructions, and suggestions for extending to the science fair level. Many of the experiments are quite involved, requiring access to difficult-to-obtain scientific materials, the use of mathematics, and careful data collection (sometimes over extended periods of time). Color illustrations and important safety information are included. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Ace Your Science Project titles: Ace Your Animal Science Project, and Ace Your Ecology and Environmental Science Project, Ace Your Human Biology Science Project, Ace Your Math and Measuring Science Project, Ace Your Physical Science Project, and Ace Your Science Project Using Chemistry Magic and Toys.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Super SandCastle: Super Simple Crafts series. These books include step-by-step directions in easy-to-follow language accompanied by photos illustrating the steps. Each volume presents seven to nine projects to be made from materials that are generally easy to acquire. Crafts include safety-pin and clay-bead jewelry, jar snow globes, colorful magnets, masks, and wearable art. The books' bright colors and child-friendly design will pique the interest of young crafters. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Super Simple Crafts titles: Super Simple Art to Wear, Super Simple Glass Jar Art, Super Simple Jewelry, Super Simple Magnets, and Super Simple Masks.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Simple Science series. These books describe basic characteristics and practical applications of physics. Easy-to-read sentences using very simple vocabulary and occasional small boxed photographs appear on left-hand pages. The writing tends to be too vague ("Nothing would ever happen without forces"). Each facing page contains a large, bright photograph that reinforces the text. An activity is included in each book. Glos., ind. Review covers these Simple Science titles: Gravity, Magnetism, and Motion & Movement.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Investigate series. These books introduce basic physics concepts and their roles in daily life. Though many of the explanations are straightforward and some examples are relatable, they vary in reading and experience level for the intended audience. The question-and-answer format encourages engagement with the material. Large stock photos are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Investigate titles: Magnets, Push and Pull, Electricity, and Sound.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Do It Yourself series. These books intersperse information on life- and physical-science topics with well-worn demonstration experiments that illustrate the featured scientific principles. Magnets and Electrical rely on materials more readily found in classrooms than at home. Color diagrams illustrate steps in the experiments; photographs help break up the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Do It Yourself titles: Growing Plants, Electrical Experiments, Experiments with Light, Gravity, and Magnets.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 In Touch with Basic Science series. These activities are classic make-and-observe demonstrations (lemon batteries, baking soda volcanoes), accompanied by brief (sometimes woefully so) facts about each. Colorful photographs of children busily engaged in the experiments help illustrate the steps, and diagrams help explain some concepts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these In Touch with Basic Science titles: What Are Forces and Motion?, What Are Solids, Liquids, and Gases?, What Is Electricity and Magnetism?, What Is Energy?, What Is Light?, and What Is Sound?.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Physical Science in Depth series. Each volume broadly covers a physical science topic, presenting factual information through textbooklike writing. The content is comprehensive in scope but rarely goes beyond a cursory treatment of facts. All volumes include asides about scientific practice (modern and historical) and unusual facts. Captioned photographs and diagrams illustrate the pages, which are decorated with colorful borders. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Physical Science in Depth titles: Heating and Cooling, Forces and Motion, Electricity and Electrical Circuits, Energy, Sound, Light, and Magnets and Electromagnetism.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Scientific American series. Beginning with early attempts to understand scientific phenomena, these books progress through experiments and more refined theory to such topics as black holes, dark matter, and atomic colliders. Captioned illustrations and sidebars extend the texts, whose material is generally accurate if introductory. Gravity is current; Electromagnetism uses some outmoded examples (e.g., cassette tapes) and non-standard terminology. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Scientific American titles: Gravity, and How It Works and Electromagnetism, and How It Works.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian