500s: A Look Inside: Series Nonfiction on Life Science

Reviewed by Carol Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI -- School Library Journal, 11/1/2008

Also in this article: The Outdoor Life The Bottom Line

Topics in the life sciences continue to be hot this year. Hardly a week goes by without headlines about stem-cell research and genetic diseases. Research in those areas is moving ahead at a frantic pace and what is known pales in comparison to what is yet to be discovered. Keeping a collection current in these growing fields is a challenge, but several of the options listed below will help fill those gaps. Each series presents both the wonder and the challenge of these ever-changing fields.

HOOKS, Gwendolyn. Arctic Appetizers: Studying Food Webs in the Arctic charts. illus. ISBN 978-1-60472-314-4. LC 2008024855.
HOOKS, Gwendolyn. Freshwater Feeders: Studying Food Webs in Freshwater chart. diag. ISBN 978-1-60472-317-5. LC 2008024857.
HOOKS, Gwendolyn. Makers and Takers: Studying Food Webs in the Ocean chart. illus. ISBN 978-1-60472-319-9. LC 2008024860.
LUNDGREN, Julie K. Desert Dinners: Studying Food Webs in the Desert chart. ISBN 978-1-60472-315-1. LC 2008024856.
LUNDGREN, Julie K. Forest Fare: Studying Food Webs in the Forest chart. ISBN 978-1-60472-316-8. LC 2008024858.
LUNDGREN, Julie K.. Grassland Buffet: Studying Food Webs in the Grasslands and Savannas illus. ISBN 978-1-60472-318-2. LC 2008024855. ea vol: 32p. (Studying Food Webs Series) maps. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rourke 2008. PLB $28.50.

Gr 3-5–This series has stunning photos, fascinating facts, and intriguing examples. “'Primary providers” are introduced along with photosynthesis. As the pyramid narrows, herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores specific to each ecosystem are presented. The roles of scavengers and decomposers close the loop. Humans are mentioned only in their relationship to global warming and the destruction of the ecosystems. The authors stay upbeat with suggestions for change. “Chew on This” insets add further interest and information. A photographic flow chart reviews the entire chain. These titles will support the science curriculum and appeal to general readers.

HUSEBY, Victoria & Rachel Tonkin, ed. Butterfly diag. ISBN 978-1-59920-174-0. LC 2007030462.
HUSEBY, Victoria & Rachel Tonkin, ed. Cat diags. photos. ISBN 978-1-59920-177-1. LC 2007030464.
HUSEBY, Victoria & Rachel Tonkin, ed. Chicken diags. photos. ISBN 978-1-59920-175-7. LC 2007030459.
HUSEBY, Victoria & Rachel Tonkin, ed. Daisy diags. photos. ISBN 978-1-59920-179-5. LC 2007030466.
HUSEBY, Victoria & Rachel Tonkin, ed. Frog diags. photos. ISBN 978-1-59920-176-4. LC 2007030463.
HUSEBY, Victoria & Rachel Tonkin, ed. Oak Tree diags. photos. ISBN 978-1-59920-178-8. LC 2007030465. ea vol: illus. by John Alston. 24p. (Looking at Life Cycles Series). glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Smart Apple Media 2008. PLB $24.25.

Pres-Gr 1–A variety of life cycles is simplistically described. Each book begins with either pregnancy, the laying of eggs, or the sprouting of seeds, and closes with a mature animal or plant ready to begin the cycle again. Only Frog mentions mating directly as “a male and female frog come together to make baby frogs.” Butterfly and Frog describe metamorphosis without using the terminology. A crisp, colorful full-page photograph faces each page of text. Across the bottom of each spread a color-coded band builds, including a graphic for each of the preceding life stages. A closing page includes six to eight facts that add interest or more detail. This basic information is well organized and presented in an attractive format.

SALAS, Laura Purdie. From Mealworm to Beetle: Following the Life Cycle diag. further reading. ISBN 978-1-4048-4925-9. LC 2008006435.
SALAS, Laura Purdie. From Seed to Daisy: Following the Life Cycle diag. further reading. ISBN 978-1-4048-4919-8. LC 2008006431.
SALAS, Laura Purdie. From Seed to Maple Tree: Following the Life Cycle diag. further reading. ISBN 978-1-4048-4931-0. LC 2008006438.
SLADE, Suzanne. From Caterpillar to Butterfly: Following the Life Cycle chart. further reading. ISBN 978-1-4048-4916-7. LC 2008006451.
SLADE, Suzanne. From Puppy to Dog: Following the Life Cycle diag. ISBN 978-1-4048-4928-0. LC 2008006434.
SLADE, Suzanne. From Tadpole to Frog: Following the Life Cycle diag. further reading. ISBN 978-1-4048-4922-8. LC 2008006432. ea vol: illus. by Jeff Yesh. 24p. (Amazing Science: Life Cycle series). illus. photos. glossary. index. CIP. Picture Window 2008. PLB $25.26.

K-Gr 2–Each book introduces a well-known species before focusing on its life cycle. All of them have four stages except Puppy, which has three. Scientific terminology such as “metamorphosis,” “dispersal,” and “gestation period” is used. A concluding diagram of the entire cycle gives the approximate length of each stage and provides a tidy review of the content. Most spreads include an inset with additional material; “Fun Facts” add a little more information. Unfortunately, the digitally produced illustrations, a major part of the book, lack detail and offer no additional information.

ALLMAN, Toney. Diabetes charts. notes. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7910-9585-0. LC 2008001195.
EVANS-MARTIN, F. Fay. Down Syndrome charts. Apr. 2009. ISBN 978-0-7910-9644-4. LC number unavailable.
FREEDMAN, Jeri. Tay-Sachs Disease charts. May 2009. ISBN 978-0-7910-9634-5. LC number unavailable.
GIDDINGS, Sharon. Cystic Fibrosis charts. June 2009. ISBN 978-0-7910-9694-9. LC number unavailable.
GOLDSTEIN, Natalie. Parkinson’s Disease charts. notes. Dec. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7910-9584-3. LC 2008010494.
JONES, Phill. Sickle Cell Disease chart. map. reprods. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7910-9587-4. LC 2008004959.
KELLY, Evelyn B. Alzheimer’s Disease charts. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7910-9588-1. LC 2007051319.
LAWRENCE, David M. Huntington’s Disease charts. July 2009. ISBN 978-0-7910-9586-7. LC number unavailable.
RAABE, Michelle. Hemophilia charts. Nov. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7910-9648-2. LC 2008004897.
SMITH, Terry L. Asthma charts. July 2009. ISBN 978-0-7910-9663-5. LC number unavailable. ea vol: 128p. (Genes & Disease Series). diags. illus. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Chelsea House PLB $35.

Gr 8 Up–These overviews open with accounts of people who have the disease (including some famous individuals), followed by information on history, symptoms, variations, diagnosis, treatments, and research. Common topics include Mendel’s groundbreaking research, cell structure, division and mutation, and the potential use of stem cells in treating the diseases in question. The chapters devoted to current genetic research and therapies can become dense as they introduce complex topics but photos, diagrams and charts help to clarify the details. The controversial issues that accompany cutting-edge scientific research are introduced fairly. These titles will provide strong foundations for science students.

FREEDMAN, Jeri. Autism ISBN 978-1-4042-1852-9. LC 2007040006.
JOHANSON, Paula. Muscular Dystrophy diag. ISBN 978-1-4042-1850-5. LC 2007040002.
PETERSON, Judy Monroe. Sickle Cell Anemia diag. ISBN 978-1-4042-1851-2. LC 2007040003.
WATSON, Stephanie. Spina Bifida diag. ISBN 978-1-4042-1853-6. LC 2007040004. ea vol: 64p. (Genetic and Developmental Diseases and Disorders Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen 2008. PLB $29.25.

Gr 8 Up–These slim volumes will fill specific needs. Each title introduces the disease or disorder, covers its history, current status, and future treatments; identifies who is susceptible and why; and discusses diagnosis and current and future treatments. The genetic basis (or lack thereof) is also outlined, without focusing on cellular activities. The books are humanized by real-life stories and (except for in Autism), a list of questions to ask doctors. Background knowledge is occasionally assumed–words like plasmid and adenovirus are used without being defined in the texts or glossaries. The writing is a little uneven, with that in Autism the best and Muscular Dystrophy the worst. Photos are mostly small and superficial.

The Outdoor Life

GRAHAM, Amy. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Adventure, Explore, Discover ISBN 978-1-59845-093-4. LC 2007013456.
JANKOWSKI, Susan. Everglades National Park: Adventure, Explore, Discover ISBN 978-1-59845-091-0. LC 2007038262.
JANKOWSKI, Susan. Olympic National Park: Adventure, Explore, Discover ISBN 978-1-59845-092-7. LC 2007017341.
REED, Jennifer. Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Adventure, Explore, Discover ISBN 978-1-59845-086-6. LC 2006102321. ea vol: 128p. (America’s National Parks Series). maps. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Enslow/MyReportLinks.com 2008. PLB $33.27.

Gr 4-8–Each informative, well-written book contains a physical description of the park; a summary of its history including the Native peoples of the area; activities such as hiking trails, campsites, and visitor centers; information about the park’s plants, animals, and weather; full-color photographs; and numerous approved links available through the publisher’s Web page. Endnotes for each chapter connect readers to more print and online resources. The authors take slightly different approaches to their narratives. Jankowski writes entirely in the third person. Reed’s “Fun in the Sun” chapter in Cape Hatteras details her family’s activities while vacationing in the area. Graham uses a fictional family in her introductory chapter to simulate “A Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains.” Thorough, useful, and appealing, this series is a great update for collections housing older material on national parks.– Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA

The Bottom Line

These series offer many options. For the youngest readers, choose “Looking at Life Cycles” with its simple text, colorful photographs, and uncluttered layout. The “Amazing Science: Life Cycle” books will be a better choice for a slightly older age group, given their use of scientific terminology. The colorful exploration in “Studying Food Webs” will draw in intermediate report writers and budding naturalists alike. For older readers, the two genetics series will be excellent resources. “Genetic and Developmental Diseases and Disorders” has a lower reading level and will be more useful where the scientific details of genetics aren’t critical. “Genes and Disease,” on the other hand, covers current research, making its content dated almost immediately, but the solid scientific background information it presents make it a valuable investment.

Backyard to Big Bang: Series Nonfiction on Science (Spring 2009)

Material Matters: Series Nonfiction on Physical Science (Fall 2008)

Rooting Around: Series Nonfiction on Plants (Fall 2008)

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