Simple Machines: Forces in Action

School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—These books introduce scientific concepts and include related experiments. Explanations incorporate mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics for a whole-world understanding. Although attractive and simple on paper, a few experiments prove tricky to implement or yield subtle or underwhelming results. While accurate and complete descriptions predominate, some are simplified, such as the definition of zero decibels. An objective section on climate change in Weather refers to "the last few decades," which seems a bit vague. The books boast clear black-and-white and color photographs and full-color illustrations depicting everyday examples of these changing materials. Each title includes information on science museums to visit.—S. McClendon, Friends School of Atlanta, Decatur, GA