Autumn Across America (Seasons Across America) [Hardcover]

Seymour Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 1993 | Age Level: 7 and up | Series: Seasons Across America

Describes the signs of autumn that are seen in different parts of the United States, such as leaves changing color, migration of birds and insects, harvesting of crops, and changes in weather.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-This exploration of seasonal change takes a slightly different tack from most books on the subject. The usual leaf coloration, harvest, and animal adaptation are included here as Simon follows autumn from east to west across North America. A great deal of information is packed into the dense text. It is clearly stated, but often requires conceptualization beyond the reach of the intended audience. For example, many young readers will not understand the Earth's axis titling at a 23.5 degree angle. Others may not have the geographical background to know what is meant by "Midwest" and other regional names without a map for reference. Simon does not adhere strictly to the trans-American path. While telling of autumn in the Midwest, he describes insect changes, seed scattering, and harvests that occur all across the country. Since there is no index and no table of contents, children looking for specific information will be frustrated. The book's main attraction is its design-beautiful photographs set in pages of glowing fall colors. Closeup pictures of a praying mantis forming an egg case and a milkweed pod's seeds floating away are exquisite. Unfortunately, the last photograph is obscured by an inset of text. Seasonal materials are always in demand; this one is a good choice for browsers.
Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. Simon's first book in a series about the changing seasons introduces autumn as a "season of memory and change." By the book's end, readers will grasp the significance of that phrase. Throughout this tribute, each double-page spread contains at least one, sometimes two, four-color photographs of a typical fall scene opposite two or three paragraphs of Simon's information-packed text, all appearing on a brilliant background color. This makes each turn of the page a delightful shock, not unlike the astonishment of seeing the first orange tree of fall. In his text, Simon discusses the signs of autumn as he covers the tilt of the earth, chlorophyll production, migratory patterns, animal life-cycles, pollination, and harvesting. He also goes beyond that to include special details, such as information about which trees turn what colors and which pigments produce what colors. As usual, Simon presents his subject with flair. Kathryn Broderick

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (November 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562824678
• ISBN-13: 978-1562824679
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,889,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Seymour Simon, whom the NY Times called "the dean of [children's science] writers," is the author of more than 250 highly acclaimed science books (many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association). His free, educational children's app, SCIENCE FUN TO GO, debuted in the Top 10 of all free children's apps in the Amazon App store, and features in app purchase of original Seymour Simon eBooks, as well as a multitude of free content.

Seymour Simon uses his website, SeymourSimon.com, to provide free downloads of a wealth of materials for educators, homeschoolers and parents to use with his books, including 4-page Teacher Guides for all 26 of his Collins/Smithsonian photo essay books. The site provides multiple resources for kids writing book reports or wanting to explore the online Science Dictionary, and also features the Seymour Science blog highlighting current science news. Educators and families are encouraged to sign up to receive the monthly newsletter from SeymourSimon.com to stay abreast of the latest materials that Seymour Simon is introducing to enrich the reading experience.

He taught science and creative writing in elementary and secondary schools and was chair of the science department at a junior high school in the New York City public school system before leaving to become a full-time writer. "I haven't really given up teaching," he says, "and I suppose I never will, not as long as I keep writing and talking to kids around the country and the world."

Seymour Simon is also a creator and the author of a series of 3D books and a series of Glow-in-the-Dark Books for Scholastic Book Clubs, a series of leveled SEEMORE READERS for Chronicle Books, and the EINSTEIN ANDERSON, SCIENCE DETECTIVE series of fiction books. His books encourage children to enjoy the world around them through learning and discovery, and by making science fun. He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects; one prominent science education specialist described Simon's books as "extraordinary examples of expository prose."

Seymour Simon has been honored with many awards for his work, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature; the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library for his contribution to children's science literature; The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction; the Jeremiah Ludington Award for his outstanding contribution to children's nonfiction; the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum on Children's Science Books.

In a recent interview Simon was asked if he ever thinks of retiring. "I seem to be working faster and harder than ever. I absolutely don't feel any urge to sit back and look at what I've done. The only things that I'm thinking about are things I'd like to do in the future. I'm planning and doing and continuing to write. It's what I love to do. I remember a story about an anthropologist going to talk to a tribe and he asked them what was their word for "work." Their response was they have no word for work. Everybody does the things that they do in their life. I love that response. I don't differentiate between work and play. Everything I do is something that I enjoy doing - the writing, the research and everything else."

Seymour Simon writes and photographs nature from his hilltop home in Columbia County in upstate New York. You can follow his daily nature walks and see his photographs from the field on Twitter (@seymoursimon) or on his Facebook group page. He also regularly hosts Q&As and sponsors book giveaways on GoodReads.