Library Media Connection - Kyla M. Johnson
This series explores major systems and parts of the human body. Photographs, some taken with electronic microscopes, and clearly labeled color diagrams accompany an interesting text written in an easy-to-follow style. Blocks of "In Focus" text illustrate or further define the main ideas. Although two different authors contributed to this series, the texts are consistent in style. Motivated students in middle school will be able to follow the material presented, but the set is more appropriate for high school biology students due to the technical language. Books and websites for further reading are listed in all books except The Reproductive System and the Spinal Cord and Nerves volumes, which only have books listed. I found the series to be informative and interesting to read. Glossary. Index. Recommended—Kyla M. Johnson, Librarian, Farmington (New Mexico) High School <i> Library Media Connection</i> March/April 2010
November 14, 2011NSTA - Cary Seidman
This series includes some volumes written by a former teacher and some by a veteran children’s science writer. The skillful editing resulted in no discernable variation in the style, content, or level of difficulty between the two authors’ work. The books include a thorough and understandable survey of the anatomy and physiology of a system or organ as well as disorders and health maintenance pertinent to the topic. Each volume consists of 21 short chapters. The writing is clear, detailed, and understandable, and the authors do not oversimplify the content. The illustrations, consisting of high-quality, attention-grabbing photography and clutter-free diagrams, are always relevant to the specific unit under discussion and greatly enhance the series overall. In areas in which students may have some familiarity with social or societal issues that may resonate with the study of a system or organ, the authors discuss the controversy. For example, the volume Muscles includes a section on the action of anabolic steroids and other substances that have become notorious among elite athletes. This volume begins with a fascinating treatment of the development of vision in infants. Author Carol Bellard offers a number of constructive tips on good eye health, interwoven with sections on the functions of the eyes. Students will be particularly interested in the causes of blindness and how vision-impaired people can manage to function productively. Recommended—Cary Seidman <i>NSTA</i>
November 14, 2011
