I see falling stars

Each book in the Tell Me Why series addresses a scientific issue that kids may encounter in their daily lives. Although the books do a good job explaining factual topics, the information is set within a frame of narrative fiction that is not always convincing. Each book has its own strengths and weaknesses. The story of I See Falling Stars feels forced, as meteor showers are uncommon, but its meteor calendar lets readers know when they might glimpse a rare falling star for themselves. The stock photos are not exciting, but they are paired with useful captions. The Make a Guess!, Look!, and Ask Questions! features encourage readers to participate more fully in the spirit of scientific inquiry. The Think about It feature at the end of each book presents another relatable topic or situation for readers to ponder.--Aronin, Miriam Copyright 2015 Booklist

Gr 1-3-Addressing the many questions that curious kids ask, this series offers age-appropriate explanations without veering on the didactic. Each book begins with a fictional scene that drives the narrative, setting up a central question and allowing an "expert" (a park ranger, a character's parent), who is also part of the story, to share useful knowledge with both the information-seeker and the audience. Readers will easily relate to these possible real-world situations. Eye-catching color photos coupled with thought-provoking sidebars encourage kids to think critically, ask questions, and make educated guesses based on what they've learned. VERDICT A smart and incredibly appealing series. © Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.