(4) K-3 DC Super Heroes: Science Behind Superman series. This book examines where feats of strength like Superman's are found in science and nature. Bolstered by key vocabulary terms, the text explores the science of human muscle movement, strength building, mechanical exoskeletons, and powerful animals. Additional fact sidebars accompany the main text. Relevant photos and diagrams are accompanied by mostly unnecessary, generic drawings of Superman characters. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 DC Super Heroes: Science Behind Superman series. This book explains the differences between Superman's powers of flight and real airborne inventions and wildlife. Basic science and engineering vocabulary elucidates the principles that allow airplanes, helicopters, and animals to take flight. Additional fact sidebars accompany the main text. Generic drawings of Superman characters often feel unnecessary beside the more relevant diagrams and photos of inventions and animals. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 DC Super Heroes: Science Behind Batman series. These books show how the Caped Crusader's high-tech gadgets and vehicles are reflective of real-life technologies. Introducing new readers to science and engineering vocabulary, they explore the real-world uses of grappling hooks, smoke grenades, jet engines, helicopters, and more. Generic drawings of Batman characters sometimes feel unnecessary when the photos of real inventions are more useful. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Science Behind Batman titles: The Science Behind Batman's Tools and The Science Behind Batman's Flying Machines.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 DC Super Heroes: Science Behind Batman series. These books show how the Caped Crusader's high-tech gadgets and vehicles are reflective of real-life technologies. Introducing new readers to science and engineering vocabulary, they explore the real-world uses of grappling hooks, smoke grenades, jet engines, helicopters, and more. Generic drawings of Batman characters sometimes feel unnecessary when the photos of real inventions are more useful. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Science Behind Batman titles: The Science Behind Batman's Tools and The Science Behind Batman's Flying Machines.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: The Science Behind Natural Phenomena series. Each volume explores intriguing natural Earth events through detailed descriptions and extended explanations of the causes or scientific principles underlying the phenomena. The topics--ranging from the familiar (clouds, thunder, icebergs) to the curiosity-evoking (auroras, exploding lakes, brinicles)--seem arbitrarily chosen, but the information about each is interesting, scientifically accurate, and accompanied by helpful photographs and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: The Science Behind Natural Phenomena titles: The Science Behind Wonders of the Water and The Science Behind Wonder of the Sky.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: The Science Behind Natural Phenomena series. Each volume explores intriguing natural Earth events through detailed descriptions and extended explanations of the causes or scientific principles underlying the phenomena. The topics--ranging from the familiar (clouds, thunder, icebergs) to the curiosity-evoking (auroras, exploding lakes, brinicles)--seem arbitrarily chosen, but the information about each is interesting, scientifically accurate, and accompanied by helpful photographs and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: The Science Behind Natural Phenomena titles: The Science Behind Wonders of the Water and The Science Behind Wonder of the Sky.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Science Behind Sports series. The history and science of this sport are explained in detail, accompanied by diagrams and photographs that illustrate the science underlying the layout of the soccer field, equipment, and rules of play. The explanations are framed as tips for improving one's game, as readers are encouraged to use physics, physiology, and even psychology of competition to become better players. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Science Behind Sports series. These overviews of popular sports foreground performance; chapter headings include topics such as "Training and Nutrition," "High-Tech Equipment," and "Injuries and Treatments." Physics, biology, and psychology concepts related to the sports are rarely isolated; instead, they're wrapped into technical discussions of moves and techniques. Many photographs of pros and novices in action add interest to the volumes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Behind Sports titles: Gymnastics, Snowboarding, Ice Hockey, and Basketball.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Science Behind Sports series. These overviews of popular sports foreground performance; chapter headings include topics such as "Training and Nutrition," "High-Tech Equipment," and "Injuries and Treatments." Physics, biology, and psychology concepts related to the sports are rarely isolated; instead, they're wrapped into technical discussions of moves and techniques. Many photographs of pros and novices in action add interest to the volumes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Behind Sports titles: Gymnastics, Snowboarding, Ice Hockey, and Basketball.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Science Behind Sports series. These overviews of popular sports foreground performance; chapter headings include topics such as "Training and Nutrition," "High-Tech Equipment," and "Injuries and Treatments." Physics, biology, and psychology concepts related to the sports are rarely isolated; instead, they're wrapped into technical discussions of moves and techniques. Many photographs of pros and novices in action add interest to the volumes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Behind Sports titles: Gymnastics, Snowboarding, Ice Hockey, and Basketball.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Science Behind Sports series. These overviews of popular sports foreground performance; chapter headings include topics such as "Training and Nutrition," "High-Tech Equipment," and "Injuries and Treatments." Physics, biology, and psychology concepts related to the sports are rarely isolated; instead, they're wrapped into technical discussions of moves and techniques. Many photographs of pros and novices in action add interest to the volumes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Behind Sports titles: Gymnastics, Snowboarding, Ice Hockey, and Basketball.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Science Behind series. After a brief introduction, Brasch answers thirteen specific questions about each physics subtopic (e.g., "Why Are Bubbles Always Round?") using main text, captioned photos, diagrams, and simple experiments. The broad scope of the questions, from whether a singer's voice can shatter glass to how roller coasters work, results in some superficiality, but the information is accurate and accessible. Ind. Review covers these Science Behind titles: Theme Parks, Playgrounds, and Toys and Tricks of Light and Sound.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Science Behind series. After a brief introduction, Brasch answers thirteen specific questions about food science (e.g., "What Are GM Foods?") using main text, captioned photos, diagrams, and simple experiments. The uneven scope of the questions, from whether coffee or tea has more caffeine to how bacteria cause food poisoning, results in some superficiality, but the information is accurate and accessible. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Science Behind series. After a brief introduction, Brasch answers thirteen specific questions about plants and animals (e.g., "What Happens When a Food Chain Breaks?") using main text, captioned photos, diagrams, and simple experiments. The broad scope of the questions, from what a parasite is to which creatures can survive on the ocean floor, results in some superficiality, but the information is accurate and accessible. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Science Behind series. After a brief introduction, Brasch answers thirteen specific questions about each subject (e.g., "Why Are There 12 Months in a Year?") using main text, captioned photos, diagrams, and simple experiments. The broad scope of the questions, from what causes tides to why Pompeii wasn't evacuated, results in some superficiality, but the information is accurate and accessible. Ind. Review covers these Science Behind titles: Natural Disasters and Time, Tides, and Revolutions.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Science Behind series. After a brief introduction, Brasch answers thirteen specific questions about each physics subtopic (e.g., "Why Are Bubbles Always Round?") using main text, captioned photos, diagrams, and simple experiments. The broad scope of the questions, from whether a singer's voice can shatter glass to how roller coasters work, results in some superficiality, but the information is accurate and accessible. Ind. Review covers these Science Behind titles: Theme Parks, Playgrounds, and Toys and Tricks of Light and Sound.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Science Behind series. After a brief introduction, Brasch answers thirteen specific questions about each subject (e.g., "Why Are There 12 Months in a Year?") using main text, captioned photos, diagrams, and simple experiments. The broad scope of the questions, from what causes tides to why Pompeii wasn't evacuated, results in some superficiality, but the information is accurate and accessible. Ind. Review covers these Science Behind titles: Natural Disasters and Time, Tides, and Revolutions.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Science Behind Natural Disasters series. Each formulaic book starts with an account of a recent disaster and its impact on property and people, then moves to a basic overview of the underlying meteorological or geological concepts, and provides explanations of the phenomenon. The volumes conclude with information on current efforts to better understand and predict these events. Photographs underscore the devastation; diagrams explain the science. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Behind Natural Disasters titles: Earthquakes, Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Volcanoes, and Wildfires.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Science Behind Natural Disasters series. Each formulaic book starts with an account of a recent disaster and its impact on property and people, then moves to a basic overview of the underlying meteorological or geological concepts, and provides explanations of the phenomenon. The volumes conclude with information on current efforts to better understand and predict these events. Photographs underscore the devastation; diagrams explain the science. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Behind Natural Disasters titles: Earthquakes, Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Volcanoes, and Wildfires.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Science Behind Natural Disasters series. Each formulaic book starts with an account of a recent disaster and its impact on property and people, then moves to a basic overview of the underlying meteorological or geological concepts, and provides explanations of the phenomenon. The volumes conclude with information on current efforts to better understand and predict these events. Photographs underscore the devastation; diagrams explain the science. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Behind Natural Disasters titles: Earthquakes, Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Volcanoes, and Wildfires.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford