All about Sleep from A to Zzzz

Have you ever wondered what happens when you go to sleep? There's a lot more to it than you might think. Part of the time, your body is paralyzed. Part of the time your brainwaves are exploding with activity. If something goes wrong in the sleep process, you might find yourself getting dressed or eating a meal without ever waking up-you might even think you're being abducted by aliens. Awardwinning science writer Elaine Scott's clear explanations of what we know about sleep and what's still a mystery, graced by John O'Brien's lighthearted line drawings, will give you a whole new understanding of that third of your life that you spend asleep.

Have you ever wondered what happens when you go to sleep? There's a lot more to it than you might think. Part of the time, your body is paralyzed. Part of the time your brainwaves are exploding with activity. If something goes wrong in the sleep process, you might find yourself getting dressed or eating a meal without ever waking up—you might even think you're being abducted by aliens. Awardwinning science writer Elaine Scott's clear explanations of what we know about sleep and what's still a mystery, graced by John O'Brien's lighthearted line drawings, will give you a whole new understanding of that third of your life that you spend asleep.

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10

This excellent overview is packed with interesting tidbits, such as the fact that most people are paralyzed during sleep. Scott is careful to point out which information is factual and which is theory, an important distinction. Chapters include the history of what we know about sleep, what happens while you sleep, theories about dreams, and sleep disorders. There is a good explanation of brain activity, as well. The fanciful cartoon illustrations add to the book's appeal. This is not an exhaustive resource, but it is interesting, highly engaging, and fun to read. It leaves readers wanting to learn more about how they spend about one third of their time.-Robin Henry, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX

Elaine Scott, author of Poles Apart: Why Penguins and Polar Bears Will Never Be Neighbors, is the winner of the 1999 Science Writing Award. She lives in Houston, Texas.

John O'Brien is a New Yorker cartoonist. He has illustrated dozens of children's books, including many in the Who Was . . . biography series. He lives in Delran, New Jersey.