Eew, That's Gross!

If there’s a trend in life science series this season, it seems to be toward the “extreme.” In an effort to catch young readers’ attention, titles, text, and photos are focusing on anything that can be labeled disgusting. The selections cover a range of topics, from an introduction to genetics and various life-forms to human senses and body parts and their functions. Overall, publishers continue to move toward a more visual presentation with smaller doses of text.

Gr 4-6–With high-interest fact boxes and headings such as “Bones: Living Armor” (Head) or “The Growler” (Organs), a kid-friendly presentation prevails in these books. Content includes the location, function, and healthy maintenance of the body parts. Head gives a systems overview that includes the brain; Organs skips the brain as well as location information for some of the organs mentioned. The vivid scientific photographs (some apparently from “Body Works” exhibits) and micrographs (which lack magnification information) are a plus for this series. On-page definitions, current further-reading lists, and a webliography maintained at the publisher’s FactHound Web site all add value. Additional.

Gr 4-6–As the series implies, the perspective here is on “gross,” “disgusting,” and “nasty” but necessary and healthy body functions that are outlined through a mix of facts and descriptions of possible scenarios. Normal body fluids are explained, including their production and purpose. In some titles, relevant health issues such as blood-borne diseases (Blood), dehydration (Sweat), and kidney stones (Pee) are described. Slang terminology, “Gross Fact” boxes, and an occasional full-page sidebar of related information extend the content. Same-page definitions and labeled diagrams add ease of use. Unfortunately, the studio photos that make up more than 50 percent of the visuals often add little. Still, these are good general purchases that will draw interest.

Gr 2-4–What makes this series different is the inclusion of Common Sense, a book that presents that attribute as the result of experiences gained through other senses, and contrasts it with instinct. Another unusual feature is the addition of umami, a meaty or savory flavor, in Taste. Otherwise, the content is standard fare. The striking color photographs are often extraneous and lack labels, and there are no diagrams. Scientific vocabulary is avoided unnecessarily or added without adequate explanation. An uninspired hands-on activity at the end of each book varies from extremely simple to beyond the age level of the intended audience.

K-Gr 2–This series describes the senses as tools that can help readers learn about the world and protect themselves from danger. How each sense works and examples and variations of the information it provides are presented in short chapters. A concluding activity demonstrates the sense in action. Readers will be drawn into these books by questions in the narrative and a first-person perspective (from Hearing, “Emotions and sounds are closely connected. What sounds make you happy?”). There are some errors and omissions. In Hearing, some phrasing (“High sounds are produced when sound waves move quickly,” for example) may cause misunderstandings about the mechanics of sound. Sight does not mention color blindness, though it covers near- and farsightedness, and Smell mistakenly blames the tears caused by onions on their odor. As in the series above, Taste adds umami to the usual four flavors that can be distinguished by humans. Overall, given their simple sentences, colorful layout, full-page photos, and well-chosen diagrams, these books will be useful for reports.

Gr 4-6–These titles work the ick factor to the max with their irreverent style and over-the-top look at body functions. Solid information layered between sarcastic comments and kid-friendly terminology like fart, poop, barf, and puke will keep readers engaged. “Gross fact” and other call-out boxes include historical and scientific details. Labeled, captioned (and graphic) photographs, cartoon-style illustrations, and micrographs add information, though some of the micrographics are incompletely labeled. Read these on an empty stomach.

Gr 4-6–A clone of Ms. Frizzle from Scholastic’s “The Magic School Bus” series introduces four students and a pair of aliens to important organs. The graphic-novel format doesn’t disguise the books’ didactic passages and awkward dialogue, and the all-caps font sometimes makes reading challenging. However, the books give an accurate inside look at the organs and their roles, placement, and operation, as well as related organs and systems. The illustrations incorporate scientific images and labeled body parts. Final panels cover safety and health tips, and a closing diagram of the featured organ’s main features provides a quick review. The format of these books will draw readers.

Gr 1-3–These books open with seeds or eggs or just after a birth and move through the life cycle, closing as another generation begins. Each stage is described on a spread that features clearly written, oversized text and a caption opposite a full-page, realistic watercolor, or, occasionally, a photograph. Near the bottom of the illustration, a question (“What will hatch out of the eggs?”) leads readers to the next chapter. Some illustrations don’t reflect the text or lack sufficient details, close-ups, or diagrams. A final “More About” page gives species, location, and size information. A worthwhile purchase despite the minor flaws.

Gr 6-8–Problems mar this series. Background science, current research, and future possibilities are presented in large type and with numerous photos and occasional diagrams and sidebars. Controversial topics include questions for consideration–for example, an “In the Lab” sidebar in Cells explaining one of the roles of brain cells asks, “Can Playing Violent Video Games Make You Violent?” Kids will appreciate Genetic Engineering’s humorous introduction and use of analogies. Unfortunately, the lightheartedness isn’t continued in the other books; as topics become more challenging, the writing gets denser. Also, in an effort to simplify meiosis, important information and terminology are absent, muddying the description that repeats in Cells, Animal Cells, and Plant Cells. Occasionally, topics and photos are out of order, and the closing “Notebook” experiments are often more like kitchen fun than science.

Gr 7-9–This series gives an overview of a few of the main classifications of living things. Packed with text, photos, micrographs, and insets, these titles will compel readers to look closely. The main text meanders through the loaded pages providing background information, while visuals with italicized captions provide examples and detail. Scientific terms are often defined in the text and used again in later pages. Each spread focuses on a single aspect of the life-form and either moves through the life cycle or presents variations of the classification. Final spreads examine beneficial and harmful varieties. The books close with an overview of scientific classification with a specific example. With its compelling facts and visuals, this is a quality choice.

If a series on the senses is needed, choose Lerner’s “Lightning Bolt Books: Your Amazing Senses.” It’s on target for its audience, and the books’ minor flaws could be the inspiration for a hands-on experience. The body-parts series are worlds apart and both have problems making an either-or choice difficult. ABDO’s “Graphic Adventures: The Human Body” gives a sense of the location of internal organs but the writing is awkward, and the scientific illustrations in Capstone’s “Fact Finders: Anatomy Class” are great but lack context and labels. Millbrook’s “Gross Body Science” is an easy choice. The titles entertain while keeping the content meaty, leaving everyone satisfied. Of the remaining series, you won’t go wrong with Smart Apple Media’s “How Does It Grow?” or Compass Point’s “Kingdom Classification.” From Crabtree’s “Let’s Relate to Genetics,” choose Genetic Engineering and avoid the rest.

Ann Brownson, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston

Gr 5-9–These books offer a variety of topics dealing with forensic science and include more than just body and blood evidence. Each title boasts in-depth information, sidebars detailing events of true crime, and activities that will increase understanding. Two of the most interesting titles are Virtual Crime! and Counterfeit! However, there is a great deal of repetition, particularly in the Ballard titles. Photographs are colorful, well-captioned, and related to the text, and include no bloody bodies.

Gr 3-6–The short chapters in these titles cover information such as the treatment of a crime scene, DNA evidence, and fingerprints. Shared reading with an adult who can answer questions and explain somewhat disturbing content is a must. Many of the concepts are oversimplified; for example, suicide is introduced with only the definition “the taking of one’s own life.” There are several photographs of bodies and body parts, blood, and bloody murder weapons. For the older, reluctant readers in the target audience, this will be an acceptable series, but they will want more information than it provides. The books introduce related vocabulary reasonably well, though somewhat incompletely, both in the texts and in the glossaries. The publisher’s “Forensic Crime Solvers” (2004) is more appropriate for the audience.