Synopsis
How do hormones control our "body clocks"?
How can our hormones help us control stress?
Where in the body is the hypothalamus gland?
Investigate the miracles of the human body with Body Focus. Each book provides an in-depth focus on a vital body part or system, the way it works, and why it occasionally goes wrong. The series also emphasizes the importance of exercise and a healthy lifestyle to keep our bodies in working order.
Hormones explores the functions and structure of different glands and hormones, and how the endocrine system sends chemical messengers around our bodies. It explains the different illnesses and factors that can affect our hormones, from diabetes to drug abuse, and outlines ways that we can keep our hormonal systems healthy.
Each book in the series includes:
information Panels that focus on areas of study, health issues, and cutting-edge technology and treatments
a table that summarizes information about illnesses or injuries, and how they can be prevented or treated
School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-Each title uses the pilgrimage site as a focal point for the religion associated with it. The Vatican-the weakest of the three titles-first describes daily life within the Vatican, explains why it is important to the world's Catholics, and gives a brief history of the religion. Readers are given a peek inside the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican museums. The second half of the book expands to discuss relics, feast days, and other pilgrimage sites, but the author has oversimplified several complex issues, to the point of confusion. Bodh Gaya is the strongest of the three as it sticks the most closely to the series' intent. It covers the shrine in India where the Buddha first found enlightenment and keeps its focus on the shrine itself, describing what Buddhists do when they visit it and what is actually there to see. Ross digresses to explain concepts of Buddhism only when absolutely necessary and then in clear terms. Western Wall offers a good history of the area, and clearly explains the reason for the site's importance to Judaism. This leads into the discussion of the tenets of the faith, including a description of its practices. Again, there is some oversimplification. Regarding Jerusalem, the author first states that "people from these religions [Christianity, Judaism, and Islam] have lived together peacefully there." But then she adds that "many wars have been fought over Jerusalem" without further elaboration. All three volumes have good-quality, full-color photos, but the lack of clarity in the writing makes them marginal purchases.-Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.