The Brainstorm Plus: Scientists in the Field series

Bookish Stuff

I am super excited about this series of books that we recently added to the library. If you are on the lookout for engaging nonfiction books for 4th-12th graders, you need to check out this series. If you are looking for books to integrate into science classes, you need to check out this series. And if you're trying to find books that expose kids to the incredible variety of science careers available out there, you really need to check out this series. It's called Scientists in the Field and put out by National Geographic. I'm not sure how I never knew about this series till earlier this year, but as soon as I found it I put in an order for as many of them as I could. (They add 2-3 books per semester, so the series is always growing. I need to order the newest ones about invasive beetles and waves.) Every book is jam-packed with spectacular photographs, the text is written in engaging and entertaining ways, and the science is spot on. Every single one I've read has completely satisfied the latent science teacher in me. In fact, if I were still in the science classroom I'd be adding several of these to the Biology lessons. Yes, I said Biology. There's no rule out there that says you have to stop using picture books after the kids pass 5th grade, and they'll probably remember these books much better than the droning of your voice. Sorry, but it's true. Two of the ones I'd use in class if I were still teaching science would be Chasing Cheetahs, for the excellent discussion of food webs, biodiversity importance, and the example of working with a community to change perceptions rather than polarizing the community with pointing fingers. Another would definitely be The Frog Scientist for the spectacular example of the scientific process in action.  Click on the title below to go to the GoodReads.com page for each book. The link for the series' website is above. Titles with an asterisk link to my review.

The Hive Detectives by Loree Griffins Burns

The Polar Bear Scientists by Peter Lourie

The Elephant Scientists by Caitlin O'Connell and Donna M. Jackson

Kakapo Rescue: saving the world's strangest parrot by Sy Montgomery, photo. by Nic Bishop*

The Tapir Scientist by Sy Montgomery, photo. by Nic Bishop*

The Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: an expedition to the cloud forest of New Guinea by Sy Montgomery, photo. by Nic Bishop*

Park Scientists: Gila monsters, Geysers, and Grizzly Bears in America's Backyard by Mary Kay Carson, photo. by Tom Uhlman*

Chasing Cheetahs: the race to save Africa's fastest cats by Sy Montgomery, photo. by Nic Bishop*

The Bat Scientists by Mary Kay Carson, photo. by Tom Uhlman*

Wild Horse Scientists by Kay Frydenborg*

Extreme Scientists: exploring nature's mysteries from perilous places by Donna M. Jackson*

The Tarantula Scientist by Sy Montgomery, photo. by Nic Bishop*

The Mighty Mars Rovers by Elizabeth Rusch

Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: an expedition among Snow Leopards in Mongolia by Sy Montgomery, photo. by Nic Bishop*

Sea Turtle Scientist by Stephen R. Sinburne*

The Frog Scientist by Pamela S. Turner, photo. by Andy Comins*

Project Seahorse by Pamela S. Turner, photo. by Scott Tuason*

The Dolphins of Shark Bay by Pamela S. Turner, photo. by Scott Tuason

Whaling Season: a year in the life of an Arctic Whale Scientist by Peter Lourie

Diving to a Deep-Sea Volcano by Kenneth Mallory

Hidden Worlds: looking through a Scientist's Microscope by Stephen Kramer, photo. by Dennis Kunkel

Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the science of Ocean Motion by Loree Griffin Burns*

The Snake Scientist by Sy Montgomery, photo. by Nic Bishop

The Manatee Scientists: saving valuable species by Peter Lourie