Surprising Beans

Children's Literature

This is one of a series of easy read books meant to integrate science, math, and social studies. According to front matter, Surprising Beans is at the second highest level of the series in terms of the complexity of vocabulary and concepts. Unfortunately, it would not rate nearly as high in terms of literary quality. Kayla and her other family members are involved in a community garden project. To Kayla’s dismay, she ends up having to grow pole beans instead of one of her favorite foods like watermelons. By the end of the project, however, her experience with beans brings her to like them. Like other books in the series, science information is woven into a narrative. Key facts about cultivation and the many different species of beans are summarized in text boxes. The back matter includes a few recipes and bibliography that includes both books and websites. While there is solid information in the book, the storyline is predictable and the writing somewhat forced. The acrylic illustrations seems muddied and the characters look like hippies. This book is from the “Read-It! Reading:Science” series. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry