Two Suns and a Green Sky

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-An imaginatively conceived collection of experiments about weather and the factors that affect it: the sun, the earth, the atmosphere, and geophysical features. Models are formulated and used to predict results and raise new questions from the demonstrations performed. The experiments range from producing a convection cycle (``wind'') on a hypothetical planet to demonstrating a model of Earth without oceans to observing the melting rates of icebergs in oceans of different salinities. Baker took into account ease of preparation and accessibility of equipment in developing these laboratory exercises and stresses data gathering and analyses. Carefully outlined laboratory safety precautions, experiment preparation techniques, a list of required equipment, and tips on acquiring good-quality equipment at garage sales round out the presentation. Diagrams of experimental setups and sample data tables are well done. Boxes of scientific ``factoids'' that the author has paraphrased from TV, magazines, research papers, and other sources, on the other hand, are unnecessary distractions. Appendixes offer additional simple experiments, a list of questions that could be used for discussion or as starting points for science fair projects, a list of equipment manufacturers, and sample answers to lab questions. Considering the open-ended nature of these models and experiments, however, the absence of a list for further reading is disappointing. This title will be most useful to teachers working with middle and high school students. Highly motivated YAs also may choose to engage in the activities individually (with adult supervision).-Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA