The Science Book for Girls: and Other Intelligent Beings (Books for Girls) [Paperback]

Valerie Wyatt (Author), Pat Cupples (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Books for Girls

Studies show that many girls' interest in science falls off during the preteen years. In an effort to keep girls tuned in to science, this book demonstrates that science is fun -- and that it is for girls. In this title in the Books for Girls series, lively text and illustrations help kids investigate what makes their toast turn brown in the morning and why their stomachs rumble. They'll find out how to collect and compare snowflakes, discover how genetics relates to family traits and much more. With brain teasers, puzzles and experiments in astronomy, physics, zoology, botany, geology and chemistry, The Science Book for Girls will help build science skills and confidence, as well as introduce readers to women who have exciting careers in science. With a distinctly female slant, this stimulating book gives girls a positive and non-threatening look at science and science careers -- although there's nothing stopping "other intelligent beings" from taking a peek, too!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5. This book begins with a fictional story of a girl and her scientific "fairy godmother" Nora, who helps her explore everyday activities through experimentation. Activities include examining the effect of milk on different kinds of cereal, measuring air humidity with a hair hygrometer, and using chromatography to separate the colors in ink pens. In the segment that discusses food digestion, Wyatt does a nice job of simplifying the process and defining terms such as bolus, chyme, and peristalsis. Introductions to female scientists such as Mary Leakey and Sally Ride appear throughout the book, as do lesser-known women such as geologist Cathie Hickson and zoologist Melanie Watt, exposing readers to different careers in science. The text is decorated with watercolor illustrations and Nora bears some resemblance to Ms. Frizzle from the "Magic School Bus" series (Scholastic). The experiments are clear, easy to follow, and achievable for the intended audience. Procedures are illustrated, and sample charts will help readers to develop their own charts to map results. Wyatt also includes some helpful suggestions for adults on how to share science with girls in everyday situations. Overall, a well-done book that will be enjoyable and useful to both girls and boys.?Katherine Borchert, Arlington Central Library, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A well-intentioned collection of experiments, puzzles, tricks, and tips meant to make science concepts and careers approachable to girls. The book is divided into three major sections--everyday science, science as a profession, and science-related activities. Each experiment is introduced in chatty, magazine-style dialogues between a girl and Nora, a fairy godmother who happens to be a self-appointed Natural Observation Research Activator. These corny vignettes segue into elementary experiments involving cooking, chemistry, math, the human body, weather, food, and biology. The section on careers encourages deductive reasoning; asides offer information about famous women scientists and ask thought-provoking questions. The science presented is friendly and not intimidating, although the giggly, cutesy conversations seems to run counter to the serious purpose expressed in the subtitle. Skeptics who question the notion of a gender-specific science book may find Wyatt's afterword useful, but with so many non-gender-specific activity and experiment books available, this one seems appropriate only for the most desperately timid. (diagrams, charts, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550741136
• ISBN-13: 978-1550741131
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #514,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great for introducing science, May 4, 2008

By 

elfdart - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science Book for Girls: and Other Intelligent Beings (Books for Girls) (Paperback)

this book is directed towards girls aged... maybe 6-10 and is a good book to introduce an interest in and passion for science. the first part is arranged like a story as the reader follows a girl through a normal day and this fairy like science woman named nora tells us the science behind that part of the day. there are experiments the reader can try for each part of the day nora describes that allows the reader to interact with the information and better understand it.

the second part introduces different kinds of sciences, with more fun experiments of course. one of my favourite experiments was the 'invisible glue' experiment, which was helping to describe physics and a person's centre of gravity, so you would get a friend to get into a certain position against the wall and watch as they try to move but can't, or you can hold down a friend with a finger, same concept.

and the third part is basically just more experiments.

so as i say, great introduction to science, a fun way to get into the subject. and this book is by no means just for girls. both of my brothers enjoyed trying out the experiments just as much as i did. i found that this book got me more interested in science than school did because it made it fun and connected it to every day life. it is by no means in depth or lengthy, which i now have some issues with, but as intro books go, this one isn't that bad.