Review by Booklist Review
In chemistry, matter matters, and it's the focus of this title in the Inquire and Investigate series. Designed to help stimulate interest in science, this volume presents the material in a methodical but varied and interesting manner, beginning with the basic building blocks atoms and elements before layering on additional topics over the remaining pages. Each chapter begins with an essential question and then covers the topic not only through the clearly written text but also in sidebars that explain specific concepts, comic strips of a scientist and two students, key questions, hands-on projects that facilitate understanding without requiring elaborate equipment, and important vocabulary terms, which readers are encouraged to try to define before looking them up in the text or the glossary. QR codes are sprinkled throughout to steer readers to further resources and illustrative videos. As thorough as this book is, it's not a replacement for a school textbook; rather, it provides basic information clearly and cogently for curious and self-motivated students, perhaps even homeschoolers, as a supplement to more formal instruction.--Scanlon, Donna Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A timeline that stretches from the speculated existence of atoms by the Greek philosopher Democritus to the 2010 discovery of the element ununseptium greets readers at the beginning of this addition to the Inquire and Investigate series. Mooney offers a thorough overview of what chemistry is and why it matters, in chapters exploring atoms, states of matter, compounds, chemical reactions, and more. Sidebars define terms and explain concepts like density and scientific notation; reader-directed questions and QR codes that link to online resources provide opportunities for outside discussions and investigation. Comics sequences featuring an adult scientist and three students offer breaks from the extensive information provided, while the dozen or so experiments let readers learn about condensation, test for acidic and basic properties, and create a battery from a lemon. Ages 12-15. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 6-9-This title introduces readers to the wonders of chemistry and its far-reaching effects on our lives, from the carbonation in soda to nuclear reactions. A time line at the beginning of the book highlights scientific discoveries from the introduction of the idea of matter in the form of particles by Democritus in 460 BCE to the discovery of a new element in 2010. Each chapter explains an aspect of chemistry such as atoms, states of matter, compounds, and reactions. An "Inquire and Investigate" section in each chapter offers problems to solve and experiments to try. QR codes placed throughout lead to primary sources on the Internet. Those with a science bent will find the information easily accessible and concise, while those with little interest will be drawn to the colorful graphic illustrations and highlighted sidebars. The experiments provided will inspire and encourage further discovery of the world of science. VERDICT An additional purchase where science materials are in demand.-Denise Moore, formerly at O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
