Best Science Books Awarded
RSSBy Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 02/15/2010
Books about microbes, photosynthesis, and pesticides are this year’s winners of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)/Subaru Excellence in Science Books Awards.
To have the AAAS choose Living Sunlight (Blue Sky, 2009) as the year’s best picture book on science, not only says “that they think we did a good job, but the prize will help us get the message out to children—and their teachers and parents,” says Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm, authors of the book about photosynthesis.
Australian author, Idan Ben-Barak, whose book Invisible Kingdom: From the Tips of Our Fingers to the Tops of Our Trash, Inside the Curious World of Microbes (Basic Books, 2009) was the winner in the young adult category, said on his blog that he was looking forward to attending the awards ceremony on February 20 in San Diego, CA. and plans to “flutter like a butterfly between sessions” at the association’s annual conference.
The awards that have been presented since 1999 and are selected by a panels of judges composed of scientists, science literature experts, and librarians.
The panel narrows the books submitted to a list of finalists, from which the winner is selected.
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Pamela Turner |
“Their expertise defines the best in science book evaluation. Having scientists on the committee validates the science, and this is extremely important to the process.”
Those interested in attending the awards ceremony at the San Diego Marriott on February 20, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. should send email requests to hmalcoms@aaas.org before February 12.
Following is a complete list of winners:
Children’s Science Picture Book
Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life (Blue Sky, 2009) by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm. Using verse that is a mixture of fun and fact, this book explores photosynthesis and its connection to all living things.
Middle Grades Science Book
The Frog Scientist (Houghton, 2009) by Pamela S. Turner with photographs by Andy Comins. This book focuses on a man trying to discover the effects pesticides have on frogs and, in turn, on us.
Idan Ben-Barak
Young Adult Science Book
Invisible Kingdom: From the Tips of Our Fingers to the Tops of Our Trash, Inside the Curious World of Microbes (Basic Books, 2009) by Idan Ben-Barak. Microbes from critters that most people find frightening, repugnant, and worthy of mass slaughter via antibiotic hand sanitizer are explored with verve, enthusiasm, and humor.
Outstanding Science Series
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out (HarperCollins). The series explores fascinating questions like how do earthquakes start and why are the ice caps melting.
