~ MMGM EARTH DAY 2022 CELEBRATION ~

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~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE 

MONDAY ~

🌎 --  EARTH DAY 2022 CELEBRATION

FEATURING THREE CURATED 

BOOK REVIEWS OF S.T.E.A.M.

BOOKS ABOUT OUR EARTH

FROM PREVIOUS POSTS ON

READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC -- 🌎

 

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POST #1:

 

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~ MIDDLE-GRADE 

S.T.E.A.M. FEATURE ~

--  'A FOREST IN THE CITY'  --

AUTHOR ANDREA CURTIS

ILLUSTRATOR PIERRE PRATT 

 

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 ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:

“Imagine a city draped in a blanket of green … Is this the city you know?” 

This book of narrative non-fiction looks at the urban forest, starting with a bird’s-eye view of the tree canopy, then swooping down to street level, digging deep into the ground, then moving up through a tree’s trunk, back into the leaves and branches.

It discusses the problems that city trees face, such as the abundance of concrete, poor soil, and challenging light conditions. It traces the history of trees in cities over time, showing how industrialization and the growth of populations in urban centers led to the creation of places like Central Park in New York City, where people could enjoy nature and clean air. It wasn’t until Dutch Elm disease swept across North America, killing hundreds of thousands of trees, that people realized how important trees are to our cities.

So how can we create a healthy environment for city trees? Some urban foresters are trying to create better growing conditions using specially designed soil trenches or planters, they are planting diverse species to reduce the harm of invasive pests, and they are maintaining trees as they age, among a number of other strategies.
The urban forest is a complex ecosystem, and we are a part of it. Trees make our cities more beautiful and provide shade but they also fight climate change and pollution, benefit our health and connections to one another, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and much more. It is vital that we nurture our city forests.

Includes a list of activities to help the urban forest and a glossary.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:

Andrea Curtis is an award-winning writer in Toronto. She writes for both adults and children.
 
Her first YA novel is Big Water, published by Orca. It's inspired by the true story of a shipwreck on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, and the harrowing experience of the two teenaged survivors.

Her most recent kids' book is Eat This! How Fast Food Marketing Gets You to Buy Junk (and How to Fight Back) published by Red Deer Press. It was named one of the best books of 2018 by both Kirkus Review and School Library Journal. It is a followup to her first award-winning children's book, What's for Lunch? How Schoolchildren Eat Around the World, also published by Red Deer Press.

Her most recent adult book, written with Nick Saul, is the National Bestseller, The Stop: How the Fight for Good Food Transformed a Community and Inspired a Movement. It is published by Random House Canada and Melville House Press in the US and UK. It was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award and won the Taste Canada Award for Culinary Narratives.

Andrea's critically acclaimed creative non-fiction book Into the Blue: Family Secrets and the Search for a Great Lakes Shipwreck (Random House) won the Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction.

Andrea lives in Toronto, Canada, with her family.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR {from his website}:

Being born in 1962 isn’t easy, but that’s exactly what Pierre Pratt did, on a February 8th. Little by little, he began to grow. Like any growing artist, he drew the objects around him, the people he met, in the quiet atmosphere of his little room, his face a mask of perfect concentration. He still retains that expression. He studied graphic design at Ahuntsic College in Montreal. At the beginning of the 1980s, he began drawing small comic strips. Then he turned to illustration. He did his apprenticeship with several different magazines in Quebec. Since 1990, he has been illustrating (and also writing) books for children, some 50 by now. He has won several prizes, including the Governor-General’s Award of Canada three times, a Golden Apple and a Golden Platein Bratislava, a Totem at the Montreuil Salon du Livre in France, a UNICEF Prize in Bologna, the Boston Globe Horn Book Award, the Elizabeth Cleaver Prize, the Mr. Christie Book Award, and the TD Children’s Literature Award. In 2008 he represented Canada for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award.

MY THOUGHTS:

This book is the the first installment of the publisher's 'ThinkCities' series. The picture book format of this book is perfect for the subject matter and the art work included with its covers.

This book covers earth science, environmental science, history of trees, botany, city planning, engineering, public health, and sociology. There is so much information included in this book that it will make a perfect thematic unit of study for a middle-grade classroom.

The author begins by explaining why cities are difficult places for trees to thrive and to even survive. Lack of rainwater, pollution, heat, and lack of sunlight all contribute to the challenges trees must overcome in order to flourish in 'our concrete jungles'. (page 4)

The illustrator's artwork effectively supports the author's narrative. I really liked the manner in which he drew a forest and a city street as a 'slice' drawing showing the ground beneath these areas.

Here's a link to the publisher's website which shows three pages from the book: BOOK'S PAGE ON PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE

This book is rich with higher-level vocabulary, beautiful illustrations of diverse citizens living together in diverse communities, and excellent Back Matter. 'Speak for the trees!' is a section after the main narrative which encourages readers to be advocates for trees in their home communities. The 'Glossary' includes many scientific terms used in the book. 'Selected Sources' includes several websites where students and teachers will find more information on the subject.

Note: On the publisher's website the grade level recommendation for this book is: Grades 3-7.

Highly-recommended for teachers, librarians, families, scout groups, and adults who want to learn a lot about the how and why trees don't survive in the city.

I borrowed this book from the 'New Arrivals' shelf in the local public library.

 

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POST #2:

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~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE

MONDAY S.T.E.A.M. FEATURE ~

-- 'SMITHSONIAN MAKER LAB OUTDOORS:

25 SUPER COOL PROJECTS TO BUILD, 

INVENT, CREATE, DISCOVER' --

Written by Author Jack Challoner

LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS

ABOUT THE BOOK: {from Goodreads}:
Twenty-eight science projects and experiments to be done outside will spark kids' creativity and help them develop science skills through hands-on learning.

Projects focus on Earth and the environment, plants and animals, rocks and minerals, and space, bringing science learning home and into the backyard. Young scientists can make a cave system and find out about underground rivers, construct a working model of tectonic plates and learn about earthquakes, build a telescope and look to the planets and stars, and more.

Supporting STEAM education initiatives and the Maker Movement, Maker Lab: Outdoors includes 25 interactive projects to inspire kids' creativity and their scientific side, and, as the founder of Maker Faire Dale Dougherty says, "to realize with their hands what they can imagine in their minds."

With stunning photography, succinct step-by-step instructions, and detailed explanations, Maker Lab: Outdoors takes readers on a journey of discovery. A must-have for every young scientist curious about their surroundings, and for makers, crafters, and those who enjoy exploring the outdoors.

MY REVIEW:

This book is such a fabulous resource for individuals who teach and work with middle-graders! The book is divided into four thematic chapters:  Nature Watch, World of Weather, Water Power, and Earth and Sky. There are several projects in each chapter.

I cannot say enough about the quality of the projects in this book. From the very first project--'How to Build a Periscope'--to the last project--'Paper Sundial'--these are engaging, useful, fun projects for middle-graders and adults alike!

In addition to the project photos and instructions, there is an introduction to each 'how to' sharing the science behind the DIY activity. The 'Wormery' project extends the idea of the project to the 'real-world science' of composting. The 'Soil-Free Planter' extends to aquaponics. The 'Brilliant Barometer' extends to meteorology and isobars. You get the picture.

Two of my favorite projects are the 'How to Grow Mycelium' in the Nature Watch chapter and the 'Anemometer' in the World of Weather chapter. The mycelium-in-a-jar project is unique; I've never seen it in any other science manual or STEAM education book before.

The author has done an excellent job of explaining difficult theories in interesting, yet down-to-earth terms. The projects are clever and are supported with user-friendly stepped-out instructions with photos. Makers are encouraged to use recycled goods from around the house, i.e. plastic bottles, cardboard, glass jars, shoe boxes, etc.

Back matter includes templates for the projects, a thorough glossary, and an index. 

Highly-recommended for teachers, science camp counselors, parents/grandparents/care-givers, and teens and adults interested in upping their own science knowledge! {I'll admit I learned a lot about fungus/spores/mushrooms, weather, and aquaponics.}

I borrowed this book from the 'new book' shelves in the children's section of my local public library. 

 

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 POST #3:

 

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~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY S.T.E.A.M. FEATURE ~

--  'ROCK COLLECTING FOR KIDS:

An Introduction to Geology'  --

AUTHOR DAN R. LYNCH

~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight & Review~

LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS 

  

ABOUT THE BOOK (FROM GOODREADS):

Nature's treasures are just beneath our feet, waiting to be discovered. 

With this book, you'll experience the excitement of finding, collecting, and identifying rocks and minerals. Dan R. Lynch, author of many field guides, presents a children's introduction to our amazing Earth. The book begins with geology basics, such as where rocks come from and how Earth's surface changes over time. Next, young readers are provided with an identification guide, which features full-color photographs and ID tips on 75 types of common and collectible rocks and minerals. From there, a "how to" section includes details on what to look for, where to look, and what to bring, as well as safety considerations. With rock collecting guidelines that the whole family will learn from and enjoy, this fun guide is engaging and informative--with plenty of kid-appeal--as it starts children on the path toward becoming successful rock collectors!

MY THOUGHTS:

This S.T.E.A.M. handbook begins with an introduction to geology and quickly moves into the history of our earth from a geological standpoint. I thought the landforms and tectonics plates section was especially interesting since I live in California where there has been a major earthquake and many small ones in our region during my lifetime. 

 

The weathering section discusses the power of water, rain, wind, waves, and ice and how these phenomenons wear down rocks. Spectacular photos of the Grand Canyon and rock arches in Wyoming give readers an understanding of this concept.

The author moves on to caves, sinkholes/cenotes/and more, glaciers, and rock formations. After reading this book I feel I have a greater understanding of why our country and world look the way they do!

The chapter on minerals culminates with a Minerals Hardness Scale that I found fascinating. The author cleverly includes non-mineral items which provide the reader a method of comparing the things they are familiar with to various minerals. For example, 2.5 on the hardness scale shows a fingernail; 3.5 shows a US nickel (coin), 5.0 shows a steel knife. In between these numbers various minerals are listed ending with diamonds being the hardest mineral on Earth.
 

Next we move into the rocks chapter. Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are defined in detail with thumbnail photos of where these types of rocks are found in nature. There are some beautiful photos along with a detailed diagram of volcanoes to go along with the igneous rock section.

The rest of the book is dedicated to rock identification techniques and rock collecting for middle-graders, tweens, and teens. In this section I especially enjoyed reviewing the color-coded range maps for common rocks and with a separate map for common minerals. These features give readers a glance at where the rocks they want to collect can be found in North America. Both sections contain a photo and a blurb of common rocks and minerals including the phonetic pronunciation of the names of the more difficult names.
 

Lastly, the highlight of the book--in my humble opinion--is the chapter on agates, fossils, and dyed crystals. The photos of the agates and fossils are stunning! I liked the ways in which the author warned young collectors about purchasing items they may find in rock shops which are not what they appear to be.

The FAQ section on rock collecting contains tips on the storage and labeling of rocks, safety tips when out rock collecting, etc. The other back matter includes a thorough glossary, recommended reading lists for 'kids' and 'older readers', and several pages of a 'Rocks and Mineral Journal' young collectors can use to record their adventures and findings.

Other pluses of this guide:

--Size = field guide sized

--Photography = excellent, close-ups

--Maps/diagrams = color-coded, well-labeled, good detail, easy-to-read and understand

Highly recommended to scientists of all ages! A useful resource book to teachers, librarians, scout leaders, youth group leaders, camp leaders, parents, grandparents, middle-graders, tweens, and teens.

I borrowed this book from the non-fiction shelves in the children's section of the local public library.

 

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Find the links to read more great Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts from middle-grade authors and bloggers at Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' Blog.

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