Category: Science Books For Summer Reading

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Orb Weavers: Hungry Spinners By Sandra Markle

Did you hear about the spiders that went into space last week on the Space Shuttle Endeavor? The spider are part of a project aimed at getting children involved in science (see more about it in related activities section). Our books today, Orb Weavers: Hungry Spinners by Sandra Markle, is a perfect tie-in book to accompany the Spiders in Space experiment.

Series:  Arachnid World

Reading level:  Upper Elementary (Grades 4-8)

Summary:  Overview of what makes orb weavers unique from other spiders. Includes information on anatomy, life cycles, and about their webs.

Illustrations: Color photographs

Comments: Sandra Markle has written a number of books about spiders and her passion for them shows through. Just the right amount of information to keep the reader interested.

Related activities:

  • The book has an activity on page 46 to test how spiders feel movement of their webs.
  • Check out the Spiders into Space science project
  • Scientists have just discovered an orb weaver that produces the biggest web in the world, so large they go across streams!.

Compatible fiction: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Publisher:  Lerner Pub Group (T) (March 2011)

ISBN-10: 0761350392
ISBN-13: 978-0761350392

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nonfictionmonday

Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by the new Nonfiction Monday blog to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s post is at Great Kid Books.

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The Chiru of High Tibet: A True Story

The Chiru of High Tibet: A True Story by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Linda Wingerter

Reading level: Picture Book (Ages 4-8)

Summary:  Overview of the life of the unique antelope-like chiru (found only in Tibet) and of the arduous trek by four men to try to discover more about the mysterious animals before it is too late to save them.

Video summary in the author’s own words:

Illustrations: Acrylic paintings plus a few photographs in the back

Comments:  The text is written in free verse and beautifully captures the struggles of both the chiru and the men. The illustrations are bright and imaginative. A lovely story that is both sad and hopeful at the same time.

Related activities:

Compatible fiction:

Tibet Through the Red Box by Peter Sís

Compatible Middle Grade Nonfiction:
A Life in the Wild: George Schaller’s Struggle to Save the Last Great Beasts by Pamela S. Turner

Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia by Sy Montgomery  and photographs by Nic Bishop

Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (September 27, 2010)

ISBN-10: 9780618581306
ISBN-13: 978-0618581306

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Next title to be reviewed: Orb Weavers by Sandra Markle

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Bat Researcher, A Dirty Job

Bat Researcher by Michael Burgan

Series:  Dirty and Dangerous Jobs

Reading level: Grade 4+

Summary: Easy-to-read overview of bat biology and what it like to be a bat researcher.

Illustrations: Color photographs

Comments:  Useful as a quick introduction to the topic, best for upper elementary ages.

Related activities:

Compatible fiction:

For younger children, try the picture book  Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

For older children, try the middle grade Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

Compatible nonfiction: The Bat Scientists by Mary Kay Carson

Publisher:  Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books; 1 edition (September 2010) (has view inside)

ISBN-10: 1608701700
ISBN-13: 978-1608701704

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Next title to be reviewed: The Chiru of High Tibet: A True Story by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Linda Wingerter

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Insect Detective

Insect Detective by Steve Voake and illustrated by Charlotte Voake

Reading level: Picture book (Ages 4-8)

Summary: “Become an insect detective and find out what the insects around you are up to. ” Children are encouraged to listen for a wasp scraping wood from a fence post, to follow ants, to lift a stone, to look closely at a leaf that is hiding a moth, and to count legs.

Illustrations: Pen-and-watercolor

Comments:  A lovely book! The text is poetic and the descriptions of different kinds of insects are enchanting. The illustrations are delicate. Underlying the beauty, however, is a solid foundation of factual information and the gentle message to learn to appreciate the wonders of nature around you.

Related activities:

Compatible fiction: Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss

Publisher:  Candlewick (February 23, 2010)

ISBN-10: 9780763644475
ISBN-13: 978-0763644475

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Next title to be reviewed: Bat Researcher by Michael Burgan