John Peters

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Endangered Energy: Investigating the Scarcity of Fossil Fuels

Jody Sullivan RAKE | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Despite the flaws, these issues are important, and even if these introductions are stronger on general concepts than specific facts, they should stimulate enough concern to fuel further inquiry.

These volumes point to the role humans have played in endangering Earth's resources. The information is presented in four chapters; each book's final chapter focuses on what government and individuals can do now before it's too late. The choppy texts are accessible and supported by photos, diagrams, and related fact boxes. Common Corerelated questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Endangered Earth titles: Endangered Energy and Endangered Rivers.

Animal Pollinators

Candice RANSOM | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Suitable additions for those looking for material on plants or flowers.

For seeds to grow, pollen needs to reach a flower's carpel. In simple language (with potentially difficult words in bold print), this series teaches early readers about the various ways this happens; information is often repeated from book to book. Close-up photos (inconsistently labeled and captioned) of flower structures and yellow pollen dust on fuzzy bees and bats help readers visualize the process. Glos., ind. Review covers the following First Step Nonfiction: Pollination titles: Animal Pollinators, Cross-Pollination, Insect Pollinators, Self-Pollination, and Parts of a Flower.

Your Circulatory System Works!

Flora BRETT | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Useful additions.

These introductions to the human body are very basic, with some complexity added in fact boxes and captioned photos or diagrams. One spread in each volume addresses some common disorders (for example, sprains and spasms in Muscular), though Nervous also preaches about damage from drug and alcohol use. Three appended questions link material to the Common Core. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review includes the following First Facts: Your Body Systems titles: Your Digestive System Works!, Your Muscular System Works!, and Your Nervous System Works!.

Are Humans Damaging the Atmosphere?

Catherine CHAMBERS | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Readers studying climate change, pollution, natural catastrophes and related subjects will find these studies low on definitive answers, but rich in points to ponder.

The debates in these titles center on the benefits and/or problems associated with attempts to circumvent or remedy environmental depredation. The slim volumes don't get deeply detailed; Chambers's dispassionate, generally even-handed approach is realistic about the lack of clear answers to these dilemmas. Relevant photos, graphs, sidebars, and "eyewitness" accounts supplement the narratives. Each book includes a quiz. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Earth Debates titles: Are Humans Damaging the Atmosphere? and How Effective is Recycling?.

The Human Body: The Skin on Your Body

Ryan NAGELHOUT | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Lackluster additions.

The Plague

Timothy GRAYSON-JONES | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Suitable additions.

Experiment with a Plant's Living Environment

Nadia HIGGINS | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Not recommended.

Higgins guides young scientists through careful examination of botany concepts, from parts of a plant and their functions to the environmental conditions necessary for growth. The classic activities and explanations are well organized and clearly illustrated, although a trip to the gardening store will be necessary for specific materials. Together, the books are comprehensive; separately, content is thin. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments titles: Experiment with a Plant's Living Environment, Experiment with a Plant's Roots, Experiment with Parts of a Plant, Experiment with Photosynthesis, Experiment with Pollination, and Experiment with What a Plant Needs to Grow.