Don't Blow Your Top!

April 1, 2017
Gr 2-4-This eclectic set explores topics from various branches of science. Starting in a familiar setting, a protagonist is transported through time or space to learn firsthand about a related topic. For example, fictional character Lee travels from a natural history museum to a prehistoric landscape with dinosaurs in No Bones, while Savannah shrinks to ladybug size to explore her backyard habitat in Blades. All of the plots work reasonably well except for Seed Power's questionable choice to explore plant growth by transporting Connor from a melon-eating contest to a watermelon field, where he helps a stereotypical grinning African American farmer in bib overalls plant seeds by hand. Each story is followed by several fact-filled pages complete with diagrams and photos to bolster the fictional presentation. VERDICT Stereotypical imagery in Seed Power mar what is otherwise an alternative way to pique science interest in young readers.

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