Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

September 1, 2011

Gr 7-10-The first book provides a detailed account of the metallic elements. The second title covers nonmetals including the halogens and noble gases. In the introduction to Organic Chemistry, the editor states that the book "describes the essentials of chemistry from the fundamentals of atomic structure, through the periodic table...." However, an image of the periodic table does not appear in the book, nor does the term "periodic table" appear in the index. Both would have been useful for students navigating the volumes. The texts are dense and the print is small. The explanations are thorough, and the titles would be best used by students with a basic scientific knowledge. Captioned color photographs appear throughout. Labeled and numbered diagrams illustrate various scientific processes, and boxed "Science Words" highlight words and definitions that can also be found in the glossary. "Try This" boxes suggest experiments that readers can try to begin their practical investigations. Many of the activities seem simplistic, such as the one that instructs readers to place half an apple in a refrigerator and leave the other half out to show how temperature affects the rates of reactions. Another activity requires the use of an empty film canister, which students may or may not be able to find. The "Further Resources" list for each of the three titles is identical. Students would be better served by Monique Laberge's Biochemistry (Chelsea House, 2008) or "The Elements" series (Marshall Cavendish).-Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

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