Mass & Matter

November 1, 2012

Gr 5-9-This sophisticated series will appeal to report writers and serious astronomy students. Each book carefully examines the history behind attempts to unravel explanations for the subjects, going back to Anaxagoras's work on energy in 450 B.C. all the way up to the contemporary findings of Stephen Hawking. The numerous theories put forth throughout the ages are meticulously detailed and put in context of how research was able to proceed despite political or religious pressures to suppress it. Sidebars bring in interesting tidbits, including information about how pop culture has used or misused science in fiction and film. The photographs, illustrations, and reproductions are impressive, but the texts are sometimes difficult to read because of the unusually small font, particularly when placed against a dark red background. As they bring together science, history, and philosophy, these volumes are exhaustive treatments of their subjects.

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.