(4) YA Profiles in Science series. The life of the Nobel Prize–winning scientist, whose major contributions include characterization of radioactive elements and the structure of the atom, is described through detailed descriptions of his early life in New Zealand to his schooling in England, his professorships and scientific research, and the relationships among famous turn-of-the-twentieth-century scientists. Archival photographs and diagrams supplement the dry text. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) YA Profiles in Science series. This profile of Dalton, an impoverished Quaker, provides a detailed account of his experimental and observational work in many sciences; especially highlighted are his principles of atomic theory, an important development in physical science, as well as insights into the scientific community at the turn of the nineteenth century. Photographs and diagrams supplement the dry text. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Raúl Colón. Burleigh brilliantly imagines details in the life and work of Henrietta Leavitt, a turn-of-the-twentieth-century astronomer whose studies as a "computer" of star patterns at the Harvard College Observatory led to significant discoveries. Paired with Colón's striking illustrations of the serious and scholarly Leavitt, this is a rich portrayal of a woman's determination to follow her unlikely dream of scientific exploration. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) YA Innovative Technologies series. These dense books describe energy sources and technologies that can serve to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels. Each account includes a brief history of the field, the underlying science, technologies under development and the policies that regulate them, and the challenges faced in making these technologies economically and scientifically feasible. High-quality, well-chosen photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Innovative Technologies titles: Hyrbid and Electric Vehicles, Methane Energy, Biomass Energy, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(1) 4-6 The book starts by encouraging children to sharpen their awareness of their surroundings and to notice the presence of birds in pastoral and urban settings. Next are the basics of bird identification, then it's on to habitat, range, and migration. The discussion is lighthearted; Cate and the birds, portrayed in illustrations with speech balloons, poke fun at themselves as they teach bird observation. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2013

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Neal Layton. No punches are pulled here--this is gory-but-fascinating information about predators and prey and the adaptations that assist in their survival. Davies commendably balances spectacle and science with rich factual detail and admiration for the diversity and realities of life. Layton's cartoon illustrations skillfully lighten the tone, as animals in the throes of death or dismemberment often provide humorous asides and jokes.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013

(3) K-3 Awesome Ancient Animals series. Facts about animal life from the Paleozoic Era to the Ice Age are presented in appealing field guide–like formats. Each two-page spread contains a paragraph of descriptive information and specifications for selected genera; captioned photographs of fossil remains or models and colorful illustrations that situate the animals--often in fierce or combative poses--in their habitats bolster appeal. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Awesome Ancient Animals titles: Dinosaurs Dominate, Huge Hunters Roam the Earth, Reptiles Rule, Saber Tooths Are the Big Cats, Sea Creatures Crawl on Land, and T. rex Is King.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(3) K-3 Awesome Ancient Animals series. Facts about animal life from the Paleozoic Era to the Ice Age are presented in appealing field guide–like formats. Each two-page spread contains a paragraph of descriptive information and specifications for selected genera; captioned photographs of fossil remains or models and colorful illustrations that situate the animals--often in fierce or combative poses--in their habitats bolster appeal. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Awesome Ancient Animals titles: Dinosaurs Dominate, Huge Hunters Roam the Earth, Reptiles Rule, Saber Tooths Are the Big Cats, Sea Creatures Crawl on Land, and T. rex Is King.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(3) K-3 Awesome Ancient Animals series. Facts about animal life from the Paleozoic Era to the Ice Age are presented in appealing field guide–like formats. Each two-page spread contains a paragraph of descriptive information and specifications for selected genera; captioned photographs of fossil remains or models and colorful illustrations that situate the animals--often in fierce or combative poses--in their habitats bolster appeal. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Awesome Ancient Animals titles: Dinosaurs Dominate, Huge Hunters Roam the Earth, Reptiles Rule, Saber Tooths Are the Big Cats, Sea Creatures Crawl on Land, and T. rex Is King.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(3) K-3 Awesome Ancient Animals series. Facts about animal life from the Paleozoic Era to the Ice Age are presented in appealing field guide–like formats. Each two-page spread contains a paragraph of descriptive information and specifications for selected genera; captioned photographs of fossil remains or models and colorful illustrations that situate the animals--often in fierce or combative poses--in their habitats bolster appeal. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Awesome Ancient Animals titles: Dinosaurs Dominate, Huge Hunters Roam the Earth, Reptiles Rule, Saber Tooths Are the Big Cats, Sea Creatures Crawl on Land, and T. rex Is King.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(3) K-3 Awesome Ancient Animals series. Facts about animal life from the Paleozoic Era to the Ice Age are presented in appealing field guide–like formats. Each two-page spread contains a paragraph of descriptive information and specifications for selected genera; captioned photographs of fossil remains or models and colorful illustrations that situate the animals--often in fierce or combative poses--in their habitats bolster appeal. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Awesome Ancient Animals titles: Dinosaurs Dominate, Huge Hunters Roam the Earth, Reptiles Rule, Saber Tooths Are the Big Cats, Sea Creatures Crawl on Land, and T. rex Is King.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(3) K-3 Awesome Ancient Animals series. Facts about animal life from the Paleozoic Era to the Ice Age are presented in appealing field guide–like formats. Each two-page spread contains a paragraph of descriptive information and specifications for selected genera; captioned photographs of fossil remains or models and colorful illustrations that situate the animals--often in fierce or combative poses--in their habitats bolster appeal. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Awesome Ancient Animals titles: Dinosaurs Dominate, Huge Hunters Roam the Earth, Reptiles Rule, Saber Tooths Are the Big Cats, Sea Creatures Crawl on Land, and T. rex Is King.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) YA Innovative Technologies series. These dense books describe energy sources and technologies that can serve to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels. Each account includes a brief history of the field, the underlying science, technologies under development and the policies that regulate them, and the challenges faced in making these technologies economically and scientifically feasible. High-quality, well-chosen photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Innovative Technologies titles: Hyrbid and Electric Vehicles, Methane Energy, Biomass Energy, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) YA Innovative Technologies series. These dense books describe energy sources and technologies that can serve to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels. Each account includes a brief history of the field, the underlying science, technologies under development and the policies that regulate them, and the challenges faced in making these technologies economically and scientifically feasible. High-quality, well-chosen photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Innovative Technologies titles: Hyrbid and Electric Vehicles, Methane Energy, Biomass Energy, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. Photographs by Andy Comins. Dr. Randy Lewis and his team have produced "spider goats" by injecting golden orb genetic material into developing goats, who then produce milk containing the spider silk protein; in sufficient quantities this could be of immense commercial value. The positive account glosses over controversy (one small section addresses the ethics of transgenic organisms). Excellent photographs document the fascinating research. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) YA Innovative Technologies series. These dense books describe energy sources and technologies that can serve to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels. Each account includes a brief history of the field, the underlying science, technologies under development and the policies that regulate them, and the challenges faced in making these technologies economically and scientifically feasible. High-quality, well-chosen photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Innovative Technologies titles: Hyrbid and Electric Vehicles, Methane Energy, Biomass Energy, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(2) PS "What did you do on your first day--the day you were born? Probably not much" begins this book about baby animals' first hours of life. The simple text effectively highlights the differing degrees of independence of a variety of species' young. Jenkins's torn- and cut-paper collage illustrations employ rounded edges and fuzzy textures to maximize the adorableness of the newborns.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2013

(3) YA In this thoughtful history of both Darwin and his theories of evolution, Johnson explains how the scientist lived and worked, religious and scientific challenges to his theories, and American legal challenges to evolution that continue in contemporary times. Numerous historical photographs and scientific illustrations, many from scientists of his time, greatly enhance the text. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Mia Posada. The bar-tailed godwit is a shorebird with residences in Alaska and New Zealand. Brief text conveys information about godwit behaviors as they learn to fly, forage, and eat the enormous amount of food needed to fuel the journey. Creative paper-collage illustrations capture the fuzzy down of newborn chicks and the starry nights of flying. A list of resources is provided.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2013

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: Do You Dig Earth Science? series. These solid earth science introductions provide definitions of various earth materials and their properties, as well as explanations of the formation processes and the ways in which humans use them. Accurate information is interspersed with questions, most embedded in captions that accompany color photographs, to encourage careful observation and reasoning. Diagrams, maps, and other visuals are very clear. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: Do You Dig Earth Science? titles: Examining Erosion, Uncovering Earth's Crust, Figuring Out Fossils, Marveling at Minerals, Researching Rocks, Studying Soil.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson