Omaha Public Schools
This book would be a helpful resource for students when studying the ecosystems, habitats, and food chains. The language is clear and easy for readers to understand. The selected photographs represent the topics being discussed accurately. It also touches on evolutions and reproduction, but does it in scientific terms. The book provides activities, a quiz, glossary, and other books/websites that provide more resources. – Omaha Public Schools
November 14, 2011School Library Journal - Judith V. Lechner
Clear language, embedded definitions, and interesting examples illustrate abstract concepts through both text and well-chosen photographs. The authors do not avoid difficult or controversial issues: Changing Life, for example, provides a clear and useful explanation of the theory of evolution, with multiple sources of evidence and a discussion of how it helps scientists to predict the implications of changes to the environment. Science Ethics discusses topics such as global warming and animal research, and their implications for decision-making by scientists, policy makers, and voters. Because so many issues are raised in this book, it will be especially useful as a research starter in both science and social-studies classes. In addition to describing relevant theories and the scientific explanations for observed phenomena, each book also discusses the impact of human activities on the issues discussed, whether the way humans impact ecosystems (Ecology) or how smoking and drinking affect sperm count and the unborn child (Human Reproduction). The main focus, however, is on the scientific concepts rather than applications–for instance, Human Reproduction does not discuss contraception except to note the statistic that "sexually active teenage girls who do not use contraceptives (birth control) have a 90 percent chance of becoming pregnant within a year." Each book also includes suggested activities to test ideas as well as a thorough glossary and a Webliography.–Judith V. Lechner, Auburn University, AL<i> School Library Journal</i>September 2009
November 14, 2011NSTA - Richard Lord
Describing topics that are both timely and interesting to middle school students, the Sci-Hi series explores science with accessible text and engaging pictures. The authors break complex content into short chunks that students can read and think about. These sections provide background information on the subject, show flow charts to explain concepts, and introduce key vocabulary. In students' hands, these books provide a great place to start research on a topic or can just be interesting reads. Each book in the series has the essential elements of good informational text. The tables of contents draw students in by framing questions in bubbles; students can then find the answers in the text. Key words are presented in bold type and are defined in the glossaries. Interesting facts are featured in sidebar notes, and students are guided to new information as they read. The images in the books are both current and global in their content. The use of varied text elements, such as diagrams, graphs, and charts are a real plus, presenting information in a variety of ways. The books also contain bibliographies of current books and websites that students can explore if they want more information on the subject. Did you know that no two zebras have the same pattern of stripes or that peregrine falcons are found on all continents except Antarctica? These are just two of the many intriguing facts to be gleaned from this fascinating book. The basic concepts of ecology—interactions, ecosystems, producers, consumers, decomposers, food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids—are all presented with clear graphics and great tidbits of information. A wide variety of ecological topics can be found in this volume. Biomagnification is presented in the context of Rachel Carson’s elegant wake-up call to the world concerning the environmental effects of pesticides. This is followed by the threat of invasive species, the highly adaptable creatures that can easily wipe out native species in an environment. Symbiotic relationships, competition, the concept of an ecological niche, and ecological succession are described as factors that affect the success and balance in ecosystems. Many effects of human activity on the environment are also brought up. Also included in the book are student activities on designing an energy pyramid, researching endangered species, exploring symbiotic relationships, creating compost, and doing a field study of an ecosystem. Considering the information in this book, it would be good background for anyone needing a quick refresher of basic ecology. —Richard Lord <i>NSTA</i>9/23/2009
September 23, 2009
