The Science of Life

November 1, 2001
Gr 5-8-An introduction to the fundamentals of biology through different activities. Arranged by the five kingdoms of life, the text includes 25 projects. The book begins with a thorough section on safety and an introduction to the scientific method. The experiments range from creating a compost bin to observing and growing carnivorous plants to growing mushroom spores on a potato medium. Most of the activities are somewhat complicated and would require adult supervision, but students should find them intriguing. For example, all of the projects in one chapter begin with creating a bacteria-growth medium and range from attempting to grow bacteria to then attempting to inhibit that growth with a variety of different materials. Each activity includes an objective, a list of required materials, and information about results and variations. Black-and-white line drawings supplement the text. While the activities are fascinating and educational, some of the items may be difficult to track down, so Bottone has provided a list of suppliers. The volume provides a thorough introduction to this area of science and would be useful in most collections.-Maren Ostergard, Bellevue Regional Library, WA BRANCH, Muriel Miller. Fine Arts and Crafts. 96p. (African-American Arts Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. 21st Century Bks. 2001. PLB $28.90. ISBN 0-7613-1868-2. LC 2001027166. Gr 7 Up-An introduction to African-American contributions to the fine arts. The author traces the origins of these arts back to their roots and, artist by artist, brings the diverse contributions up-to-date. Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, quilter Harriet Powers, landscape artist Edward Mitchell Bannister, sculptors (Mary) Edmonia Lewis and Augusta Fells Savage, and photographers James Augustus Van Der Zee and Gordon Parks are among the individuals featured. Good reproductions of representative art both in color and black and white are included. The political and social atmosphere of each era is covered in relationship to the artists' opportunities and selection of subject matter. Although the writing is occasionally stilted, the author is passionate about her subject matter and ends with a plea for both conservation and restoration of African-American art. A helpful glossary of art terms and an excellent list for further reading are appended.-Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH

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