World Book Encyclopedia of Science

School Library Journal

Gr 5-9--In level of detail, this revision of the 1989 edition ranks near the top of the heap of science encyclopedias intended for middle school use--but as a reference tool, it is buried by the competition. Each of the first six volumes takes on a single broad field, from astronomy to botany. Volume seven, The Human Body, includes psychology, medicine, and alternative medicine as well as anatomy and development, and volume eight combines about 120 capsule biographies with a set index. Each volume except the last contains some three dozen topically arranged articles, begins with a series of short career descriptions, includes two single-page special features ("The elusive objects called black holes"), and closes with a glossary and index. The dense-looking columns of text are balanced with particularly apt, well-placed color photos and commissioned art. With 11 articles on organic chemistry but no index entries for CDs, mathematics, or the Internet; no feature on endangered plants to parallel the one on endangered animals; and, aside from scattered references to specialized uses, less about computers than, for instance, refraction or insect-eating mammals, subject coverage is deep but narrowly focused and not always systematic. A lack of see references and the arbitrary arrangement of the articles not only makes this set hard to use for quick reference, but also weakens its overall utility for general research as well. The Raintree Steck-Vaughn Illustrated Science Encyclopedia (1997) remains a better choice; well-heeled collections can back that up with the fat but sparsely illustrated Gale Encyclopedia of Science (1995).--John Peters, New York Public Library

From The Critics

This reference, appropriate for advanced middle school level students through high school or junior college, and a general readership, presents an introduction to the various disciplines of science. Each of the first seven volumes addresses a different broad scientific field—astronomy, physics, chemistry, the planet earth, the plant and animal worlds, and the human body. The volumes are slim—each about 150 pages; and each has its own discrete glossary, index, and a section on careers in the discipline. Surprisingly, the volumes are not cross-referenced to one another, and there are no suggestions for further reading. The text itself has plenty of substance but is written to be non-intimidating. Pages are laid out attractively in two columns with room for sidebars and abundant color illustrations, which are thoroughly captioned. Volume 8 covers men and women in science and comprises chronologically-arranged entries ranging in length from a paragraph to a few pages. The included CD-ROM contains a user guide. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

This general interest reference set includes volumes on astronomy, physics, chemistry, the planet earth, the plant world, the animal world, and the human body. The final volume contains the index and information on 122 men and women of science<-->beginning with Hippocrates and ending with Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel in space. The illustrations and two-color format make this set as accessible as any Disney-produced science film. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.