Outstanding science trade books for students K-12: books published in 2015

Science teachers and mentors continue to be challenged to meet the high expectations of A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards. Indeed the Framework urges us to help learners "[build] progressively more sophisticated explanations of natural phenomena ..." while the NGSS provide a model for "gathering, describing, and using information about the natural and designed world(s)." We invite you to explore this year's list of Outstanding Science Trade Books, which greatly adds to our 44-year history--and has been organized in response to NGSS. In these award-winning books, you'll find not only traditional science content but also engineering and design. We hope you'll enjoy enhancing your spirit of inquiry as you explore science through trade books. PS1: Matter and Its Interactions Hurricane Watch. Melissa Stewart. Illustrated by Taia Morley. HarperCollins. 40pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-06232-776-5, $17.99. Paperback ISBN 978-0-06232775-8, $6.99. (K--2) Young meteorologists will find this fact-filled book fascinating. It provides an exciting look into how hurricanes form, the scientists who work with them, and safety tips. Glossary. (GSM) CCC5, ESS2, ETS2 Raindrops Roll. April Pulley Sayre. Photographs by April Pulley Sayre. Beach Lane Books, Simon & Schuster. 40pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-48142-064-8, $17.99. (K-2) Stunning photography and simple wording make this book a perfect introduction to the subject of water. Sayre takes us on an up-close journey through the water cycle that will surely spark students' sense of wonder. Author's Note. (GSM) ESS2, CCC2, CCC5 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes Animal Mouths. Mary Holland. Arbordale Publishing. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-162855-552-3, $17.95. Paperback ISBN 978-1-62855-561-5, $9.95. (K-2) How do different mouth structures help animals? Mouth structures can be as wide-ranging as the animals that possess them. The mouths of various animals, from insects, such as moths and robber flies, to animals from most of the vertebrate classes, are examined. Matching Mouth Structures to Animal, Glossary. (SAK) CCC6 Bilby: Secrets of an Australian Marsupial. Edel Wignell. Candlewick Press. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-76366-7597, $16.99. (K-5) An examination of the life cycle of the bilby and how it survives is presented in this book. Students follow Baby Bilby from the time it is born until it leaves to create an underground home of its own. Index. (SAK) CCC4 Dirty Rats? Darrin Lunde. Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Charlesbridge. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-58089-566-8, $16.95. (3-5) Are all rats dirty, scary, and ugly? These questions are examined to show how rats vary by species and the important role they play as part of their ecosystems. Websites to Learn More About Mammals. (SAK) LS3, CCC6 Fire Birds: Valuing Natural Wildfires and Burned Forests. Sneed B. Collard III. Photographs by Sneed B. Collard III. Bucking Horse Books. 48pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-98444-607-0, $17.99. (3-8) What are Fire Birds? Explore how some species of bird rely on burned areas to survive. From the devastation of fire comes new life and new discoveries about the important role fire plays in an ecosystem. Fire Bird Checklist, Glossary, Resources, Index. (DMH) LS4 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs. Lisa Kahn Schnell. Illustrated by Alan Marks. Charlesbridge. 40pp. Trade ISBN 978-158089-604-7, $16.95. (K-2) The fascinating story of how millions of horseshoe crabs make their way onto the shores of the Delaware Bay to lay their eggs and how scientists along with vacationers watch, tag, and study them. The book includes a closer look at what happens and how horseshoe crabs help humans. (CLN) How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice From the Animal Kingdom. Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-54431-365-1, $17.99. (K-2) Imagine being a python and swallowing a pig. Jenkins lets readers do just that with this step-by-step instruction manual on how to perform fascinating animal survival skills. Glossary, Bibliography. (GSM) CCC6, LS3, LS4 Spit and Sticks: A Chimney Full of Swifts. Marilyn Grohoske Evans. Illustrated by Nicole Gsell. Charlesbridge. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-58089-588-0, $16.95. (K-2) The book narrates a story of the life cycle of swift birds and its analogy with a human family. The illustrations provide a unique, wordless perspective of the human family as it too gets ready to welcome a new baby. Note About Chimney Swifts. (TBV) CCC1 The Walking Fish. Rachelle Burk and Kopel Burk. Tumblehome Learning, Inc. 192pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-99078-294-0, $16.95. Paperback ISBN 978-0-99078-2933, $8.95. (3-5) When seventh grader Alexis enlists her friend Darshan to help her catch a blind walking fish near Glacial Lake, they set off on an exciting science adventure. (GSM) CCC5, LS2, LS3, LS4, ETS2 LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics Birdology. Monica Russo. Photographs by Kevin Byron. Chicago Review Press. 128pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-61374-949-4, $15.95. (3-8) Soar through the pages of Birdology and discover the wonderful world of ornithology. Future bird scientists will be inspired by 30 activities along with essential bird information, rich vocabulary, and incredible photographs by Kevin Byron. Table of Contents, Activities, Glossary, Website Resources, Teacher's Guide, Bibliography, and Index. (DMH) CCC6 The Call of the Osprey. Dorothy Hinshaw Patent. Photographs by William Munoz. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. 80pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-54423-268-6, $18.99. (3-8) Could heavy metals released into the waterways be threatening to wipe out the beloved osprey? Follow scientists as they investigate whether our mining past may be threatening the health of the osprey. Epilogue, Glossary. (CLN) Eyewitness Explorer: Nature Ranger. DK Publishing. 72pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-4654-3500-2, $9.99. (3-5) Become a nature ranger using the wide range of nature concepts and more than 30 activities. From tabletop gardens to a pond organism study, the lessons within this book will get students exploring nature. Table of Contents, Environmental Education Activities, Glossary, Index. (DMH) CCC4, CCC6 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Great Monkey Rescue: Saving the Golden Lion Tamarins. Sandra Markle. Millbrook Press, a division of Lerner Publishing Group. 40pp. Library ISBN 978-1-4677-8030-8, $30.95. (3-8) The efforts to support the survival of this fascinating Brazilian mammal are conveyed through narrative text and stunning photographs. Maps of population ranges contextualize the urgency for intervention. Timeline, Additional Resources, Glossary, Index, Author's Note. (KTR) LSI, CCC2 Little Puffin's First Flight. Jonathan London. Illustrated by Jon Van Zyle. Graphic Arts Books. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-94182-140-4, $16.99. Paperback ISBN 978-0-88240-924-5, $10.99. (K-2) Beautifully illustrated paintings and clever text tell the story of a young puffin's suspenseful first year of life from a variety of pictorial perspectives. Author's Note. (CLN) Mrs. Carter's Butterfly Garden. Steve Rich. Photographs by Brian Becnel, Tom Uhlman, ThinkStock, Conni Crittenden, The Carter Center, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, Stephen Cord (The Carter Center), and Ward Pix. NSTA Kids. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-938946-21-9, $12.95. (K-2) Readers tour the beautiful garden former first lady Rosalynn Carter planted to provide a habitat for butterflies. The local farmers in Plains, Georgia, also appreciate the butterflies as pollinators. The photos of butterflies, their life-cycle stages, and flowers are stunning. Glossary, Web Resources, Suggested Activities. (LSG) ESS3, CCC4, CCC7 Next Time You See a Spiderweb. Emily Morgan. Photographs by Tom Uhlman, Judd Patterson, Steven David Johnson, Clay Bolt, and Nicky Bay. NSTA Kids. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-938946-34-9, $12.95. Library ISBN 978-1-941316-31-3, $18.99. (K-2) Are all spiderwebs the same? How do spiders use their webs? These questions and others are answered as children are encouraged to take a closer look at spiderwebs. Author's Note, Activities, Websites. (SAK) CCC4, CCC6 The Octopus Scientists. Sy Montgomery. Illustrated by Keith Ellenbogen. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. 80pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-54423-270-9, $18.99. (3-8) Join scientists on a fantastic journey through the ocean to uncover new secrets of the remarkable shape-shifting octopus. (CLN) A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss. Toni Buzzeo. Illustrated by Holly Berry. Penguin Books for Young Readers. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-39918-725-4, $16.99. (K-5) For Cynthia Moss, studying wild African elephants became a passion. She comes to identify individuals and understand family and group dynamics. She loves these enormous animals and fights to protect them against ivory poachers, who kill elephants for their ivory tusks, making elephants an endangered species. Biographical Note, Additional Resources. (LSG) CCC4, CCC7 The Pier at the End of the World. Paul Erickson. Illustrated by Andrew Martinez. Tilbury House Publishers. 36pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-88448-382-3, $17.95. (3-5) Under a decaying pier in the cold, murky waters of the north Atlantic live "strange and beautiful" sea creatures. The diversity of life that can exist in this habitat is wonderfully illustrated--from the smallest plankton to the strange basket sea star to unusual fish such as the ocean pout or wolffish. Glossary (integrated into the text), Guide to Species in Illustrations. (LSG) CCC4, CCC5 Sand Swimmers: The Secret Life of Australia's Desert Wilderness. Narelle Oliver. Candlewick Press. 40pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-76366-761-0, $16.99. (K-2) Beautifully detailed illustrations and vivid language tell the amazing story of adaptation and survival in the desert of Australia as explorers learn about the indigenous people that live in this rarely seen part of Australia. Note From The Author. (CLN) Small Wonders: Jean-Henri Fabre & His World of Insects. Matthew Clark Smith. Illustrated by Giuliano Ferri. Two Lions. 40pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-47782-632-4, $17.99. (3-5) Through his insatiable curiosity, Jean-Henri was inspired to pursue a career in entomology. This spectacular story shares his life and perseverance, from public ridicule to a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, with captivating illustrations by Giuliano Ferri. "See the universe in a single small wonder." GF Historical Note, Timeline, Author's Note. (DMH) Welcome to Mars: Making a Home on the Red Planet. Buzz Aldrin and Marianne Dyson. National Geographic Children's Books. 96pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-42632-206-8, $18.99. (3-8) NASA prepares for a future mission to Mars, a topic often in today's headlines. Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin offers valuable insights, based upon the latest thoughts on what it will take for human habitation on Mars to become a reality. Bibliography, Websites, Glossary, Activities, Index. (LS) ETS1, ETS2, ESS1, CCC3, CCC4, CCC6 Welcome to New Zealand: A Nature Journal. Sandra Morris. Candlewick Press. 48pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-76367-477-9, $16.99. (3-8) Watercolor, colored pencil, and pen-and-ink illustrations beautifully show how you can create a nature journal wherever you live. The book is full of inspirations, techniques, and ideas for recording observations outdoors. Table of Contents, Glossary, Index, Bibliography. (CAC) CCC1 LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits Emu. Claire Saxby. Illustrated by Graham Byrne. Candlewick Press. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-76367-479-3, $16.99. (K-2) Beautiful illustrations accompany the first six months in an Emu's life, in which the male takes on hatching and rearing. Facts about the Emu are paired with the story of this unique Australian bird. Additional Information, Index. (CAC) CCC6 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spidermania: Friends on the Web. Alexandra Sly. Illustrated with photographs by Dennis Kunkel. Holiday House, Inc. 48pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-8234-2871-7, $17.95. (3-5) Amazing photographs and descriptions provide interesting information about special characteristics, habitats, and web features of common and rare arachnids from black widows to spitting spiders to diving bell spiders (to name a few). Identification Key, Classification System, Websites, Glossary, Sources, Index. (LSG) CCC6 LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity Egg: Nature's Perfect Package. Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-54795-909-2, $16.99. (K-2) This "eggstraordinary" book shows eggs of all shapes, colors, and sizes with the animals that hatch them, protect them, and eat them. Includes a fascinating look inside the egg and its development. Further Readings, Author's Note. (CAC) CCC3, CCC4 The Fruits We Eat. Gail Gibbons. Illustrated by Gail Gibbons. Holiday House, Inc. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-8234 3204-2, $17.95. Paperback ISBN 978-08234-3571-5, $7.99. (K-2) Gail Gibbons has created a wonderful way to discover a wide variety of delicious fruits in this informative, beautifully illustrated book great for young readers. (GSM) CCC6, LS3 ESS1: Earth's Place in the Universe Smithsonian: Space! DK Publishing. 208pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-4654-3806-5, $24.99. (6-12) Succinct text about the solar system, stars, galaxies, space exploration, and the night sky accompanies numerous resplendent photos and informative diagrams. Glossary, Index, Data Tables. (KTR) CCC1, CCC3, PS1, PS4 ESS2: Earth's Systems About Habitats: Polar Regions. Cathryn Sill. Illustrated by John Sill. Peachtree Publishers. 48pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-56145-832-5, $16.95. (K-2) This book provides a simple and accurate description of Arctic and Antarctic regions accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Afterword section of the book provides more scientific information about polar regions as each illustration is explained in detail. Afterword, Glossary, Bibliography. (TBV) CCC4, CCC5 After the Ashes. Sara K. Joiner. Holiday House, Inc. 288pp. Trade ISBN 978-08234-3441-1, $17.95. (6-8) Feel the impact of smothering ash falls and devastating tsunami generated by the cataclysmic eruption of Krakatau in 1883 through the lives of two fictional characters struggling to survive the ordeal. Author's Notes, Resources, Bibliography, Map. (LS) CCC1, CCC2, CCC7, ESS3, ETS2 Ancient Earth Journal: The Early Cretaceous. Juan Carlos Alonso and Gregory S. Paul. Illustrated by Juan Carlos Alonso. Walter Foster Jr., an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA, Inc. 112pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-63322-0331, $19.95. (3-5) Trek through the early Cretaceous period of geologic time and explore the diversity of dinosaurs, through beautiful illustrations, that roamed Earth circa 120 million years ago. To quote the authors: "This book illustrates the powerful partnership between art and science." Pronunciation Key, Forewords. (LS) CCC1, CCC3, CCC7, ETS2, LS4 Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. 256pp. Trade ISBN 978-14654-3664-1, $20.99. Paperback ISBN 9781-4654-3594-1, $19.99. (3-8) This book is a visual encyclopedia that provides amazing scientific information about oceans and marine life through stunning pictures and satellite images. Glossary, Index, Acknowledgments. (TBV) CCC4, CCC5 When Earth Shakes: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis. Simon Winchester. Viking Books for Young Readers, Penguin Young Readers Group. 80pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-67078-536-0, $18.99. (6-8) The reader is invited to explore some of Earth's most violent and dynamic forces such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis in regards to their impact upon humankind and the environment. Fantastic photographs illustrate nature's destructive and constructive forces beautifully. Bibliography, Websites, Acknowledgments, Index, Photo Captions. (LS) ESS3, PS2, CCC1, CCC2, CCC3, CCC6, CCC7 ESS3: Earth and Human Activity Home Address: ISS: The International Space Station. James Buckley Jr. Penguin Young Readers. 48pp. Trade ISBN 9780-44848-769-4, $14.99. Paperback ISBN 978-0-44848-709-0, $3.99. (3-5) What is daily life like on the International Space Station? Rich vocabulary, detailed descriptions, and fascinating photographs illustrate the astronauts' life in their space home. Glos-sary. (DMH) ETS2 Wild at Heart: Mustangs and the Young People Fighting to Save Them. Terri Farley. Photographs by Melissa Farlow. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. 208pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-54439-294-6, $19.99. (5-12) Wild mustangs have been an iconic part of the modern western rangeland environment for hundreds of years. Now these wild horses are vanishing. Why are they becoming an endangered species? What is happening to wild horse habitats? How can students of all ages become advocates to save this beautiful wild species? Wild at Heart can answer all of these questions and more. Author's Note, Acknowledgments, Glossary, Chapter Notes, Bibliography, Index. (LSG) CCC4, CCC7 ETS1: Engineering Design The Fantastic Ferris Wheel: The Story of Inventor George Ferris. Betsy Harvey Kraft. Illustrated by Steven Salerno. Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. 42pp. trade ISBN 9781-62779-072-7, $17.99. (K-2) This is the incredible story of how engineer George Ferris took a crazy idea and constructed the giant Ferris wheel, which became the highlight of the World's Fair in the 1800s and remains a worldwide icon of adventure and amusement. More About George Ferris. (CLN) PS2, CCC6 Flying Cars: The True Story. Andrew Glass. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. 128pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-61898-482-4, $17.99. (3-8) Stories of the remarkable and creative inventions that combined the airplane and automobile into the flying car. Great accounts of those that succeeded and those that didn't. Table of Contents, Author's Note, Glossary, Source Notes, Bibliography, Photo Credits, Index. (CAC) ETS2 ETS2: Links Among Engineering, Technology, Science, and Society Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine. Laurie Wallmark. Illustrated by April Chu. Creston Books. 40pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-939547-20-0, $17.99. (3-5) This book tells an inspirational story of Ada Byron Lovelace, who overcame struggles to pursue her interests in math and science. The author's note provides additional information about how this remarkable woman influenced modern computer science by writing the world's first computer program. Author's Note, Timeline, and Bibliography. (TBV) CCC2 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets of the World's Favorite Treat. Kay Frydenborg. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. 272pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-54417-566-2, $18.99. (9-12) Savor the delicious story of how chocolate has shaped history, science, and society. From chocolate's earliest uses in Mesoamerica to the modern-day chocolate industry, this dark, rich, sweet book shares the detailed history and in-depth science of chocolate. Colored Photo Section, Table of Contents, How to Eat Chocolate Guide, Timeline, Bibliography, Websites, Acknowledgments, and Index. (DMH) CCC6, PS1 Food Engineering: From Concept to Consumer. Michael Burgan. Scholastic Library Publishing. 64pp. Library ISBN 978-0-53121-898-3, $30. Paperback ISBN 978-0-53121-916-4, $8.95. (6-8) The science behind food production and preservation from the 1800s through today is presented along with information about careers in food science. Bibliography, Glossary, Index, Career Stats. (KTR) LS3 Inside Biosphere 2: Earth Science Under Glass. Mary Kay Carson. Photographs by Tom Uhlman. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. 80pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-54441-664-2, $18.99. (6-8) Part of the "Scientists in the Field" series, Inside Biosphere 2 examines the original purpose of Biosphere 2 and how it is being used today. The focus of the research facility has shifted. The book describes its current focus of researching Earth's systems. (SAK) ESS2, ESS3, CCC2, CCC4, CCC7 The Inventor's Secret: What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford. Suzanne Slade. Illustrated by Jennifer Reinhardt. Charlesbridge. 48pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-58089-667-2, $16.95. (3-5) This picture book tells a story of friendship between two of the most successful inventors, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The secret of their success was perseverance, and this message can inspire today's young inventors. Author's and Illustrator's Notes, Details About Inventions, Source Notes, a Timeline of Thomas Edison's Life, and Selected Bibliography. (TBV) CCC2 Magnificent Minds: 16 Pioneering Women in Science and Medicine. Pendred Noyce. Tumblehome Learning, Inc. 180pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-98979-2479, $18.95. (9-12) Biographies of famous women such as Florence Nightingale and lesser-known women such as Chien-Shiung Wu are presented in narrative and historically integrated timeline formats. Additional Resources. (KTR) Remarkable Minds: 17 More Pioneering Women in Science and Medicine. Pendred E. Noyce. Tumblehome Learning, Inc. 192pp. Trade ISBN 978-099078-2902, $18.95. (6-12) This book inspires with stories of strong women defying stereotypes in the fields of science. Spanning more than three centuries, these tales share how 17 scientific pioneers found their way. Table of Contents, Further Reading. (CAC) Sally Ride: A Photobiography of America's Pioneering Woman in Space. Tam O'Shaughnessy. Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. 160pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-59643-994-8, $19.99. (3-8) This personal account of the life of Sally Ride uses photos, memorabilia, and artifacts to give us a unique look into our pioneering woman in space. Timeline of Events, Index, Photo Credits. (CAC) ESS1 So, You Want to Work With the Ancient and Recent Dead? Unearthing Careers From Paleontology to Forensic Science. J.M. Bedell. Aladdin, Beyond Words, Simon & Schuster. 256pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-58270-546-0, $19.99. Paperback ISBN 978-1-58270-545-3, $11.99. (3-8) Terrific introduction for students who might want to pursue careers as an archeologist, forensic scientist, paleontologist, or medical examiner through examination of an organism's remains and assessment of what the remains are trying to tell us about its past. Extensive Bibliography, Glossary, Industry Resources. (LS) CCC6, CCC7, LS3 Steve Jobs: Insanely Great. Jessie Hartland. Schwartz & Wade, Random House Children's Books. 240pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-30798-295-7, $22.95. Paperback ISBN 978-0-75355-702-0, $12.95. (6-8) This engaging biography of Steve Jobs in graphic-novel format also contains full-page spreads of technology advances in each decade from the 1960s to 2000s. Bibliography, Author's Note. (KTR) PS4 Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America. Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. 240pp. Trade ISBN 978-054431-367-5, $17.99. (5-8) Mary Mallon, 37, Irish immigrant and cook, became one of the most infamous characters in history. Was she ever a proven carrier of Typhoid? Did she deserve to be put in solitary confinement for so many years? Read and judge for yourself whether the fledgling practice of epidemiology proved its case. Afterword, Photo Album, Timeline, Sources, Chapter Notes, Bibliography, Index. (LSG) CCC1, CCC2 About the Reviews The Opryland. The Nashville Brothers. Illustrated with photographs. Tennessee Press. 168pp. Trade ISBN 0-592-67321-1, $18.95; Library ISBN 0-592-64213-X, $18.99. Paper ed. (F). (5-12) Members of the Opryland crew take readers on a tour of a tropical indoor environment. Author's Note. (ABC) LS2, ESS2 In addition to standard publishing information, the reviews indicate the following: 1. Titles marked with * are Selectors' Choices--books that individual panel members responded to with particular enthusiasm. 2. International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) are included for all available editions (trade, library, and paperback). 3. The prices are current as of January 2016. 4. The notation Paper ed. (F) indicates that a paperback edition is forthcoming and whether the publisher is different from the hardcover edition. 5. Reading levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) are provided by the reviewers. They are intended as guidelines and are not meant to limit the potential use of titles. 6. The reviewer's initials follow each description (see Members of the Book Selection Panel listed on page 65). 7. The most relevant Next Generation Science Standards are indicated by codes (see page 89. About CBC and NSTA The Children's Book Council (CBC) is the nonprofit trade association for children's book publishers in North America, dedicated to supporting and informing the industry and fostering literacy. The CBC offers children's publishers the opportunity to work together on issues of importance to the industry at large, including educational programming, literacy advocacy, and collaborations with other national organizations. The anchor sponsor of Children's Book Week, the CBC is proud to partner with other national organizations on co-sponsored reading lists, educational programming, and literacy initiatives. For more information, visit www.cbcbooks.org. The books that appear in this list were chosen by a review panel made up of educators and other subject-area experts, all appointed by the National Science Teachers Association. NSTA and CBC have joined forces on developing this annual list since 1973, and over the years it has become the go-to resource for school librarians, science teachers, and parents eager to cultivate a love of science in young readers. Initially, the list was primarily targeted at grades K through 8. Beginning in 2002, it expanded to include high school. Through the years, this effort has had but a single mission--to highlight the very best in science trade books for young audiences. Members of the Book Selection Panel Connie Crittenden (CAC) Multiage fourth/fifth Looping Teacher Explorer Elementary Williamston, MI DeLene Hoffner (DMH) Fourth-Grade Teacher School in the Woods, Academy District 20 Colorado Springs, CO Scott A. Kratzer (SAK) Fifth-Grade Teacher Garrett Elementary, Hazelwood School District Hazelwood, MO Genet Mehari (GSM) Science Specialist Curley K-8 Jamaica Plain, MA Cathy Newton (CLN) Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Hartford School District White River Junction, VT Kristin T. Rearden (KTR) Clinical Associate Professor University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN Linda Schoen Giddings (LSG) Retired Science Consultant South Carolina Department of Education Columbia, SC Len Sharp (LS) Adjunct Professor Lemoyne College Syracuse, NY Trupti Vora (TBV) Science Teacher Cameron Middle School Framingham, MA Special thanks to Suzanne Flynn, perennial Lead Reviewer for the panel Visit CBC's and NSTA's websites at www.cbcbooks.org and www.nsta.org. Expanded reviews of these award-winning books are available at www.nsta.org/recommends. About the Books and the Selection Process The books that appear in this annotated bibliography selected as Outstanding Science Trade Books were published in 2015. They are intended primarily for grades K--12. They were selected by members of a book review panel appointed by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and assembled in cooperation with the Children's Book Council (CBC). NSTA and CBC have cooperated on this bibliographic project since 1973. The panel looks at both content and presentation. Selection is based generally on the following criteria: * The book has substantial science content. * Information is clear, accurate, and up-to-date. * Theories and facts are clearly distinguished. * Facts are not oversimplified to the point that the information is misleading. * Generalizations are supported by facts, and significant facts are not omitted. * Books are free of gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic bias. The panel also uses rigorous selection guidelines relating to the presentation of material, including the following: logical presentation and a clear sequence of ideas; appropriate content level for the intended audience; compatible text and illustrations; illustrations that are accurate representations in size, color, and scale; appropriate trim size and format of the book for the subject and audience; and well-organized layout that advances the text. The panel also looks at the quality of binding, paper, and reproduction, and the appropriateness of typeface. Each panel member reads all the books, but reviews reflect only the appraisal of the individual panelist whose initials appear at the end of each entry. Publishers' names appear in abbreviated form; complete names and addresses are available from the CBC and in standard reference works such as Children's Books in Print. CBC's Member List is available at www. cbcbooks.org/membership/member-list. Titles are arranged by subject category. Although some titles are appropriate for more than one category, the books have been placed where their usefulness in science education appears greatest. Panelists have also indicated the Next Generation Science Standard (see About the Reviews on page 88) to which the books relate. Where more than one standard is listed, the most applicable standard is given first. Call for Submissions For 2017 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2016 Eligibility * Titles should be for grades K-12. * All titles must originate from a children's publishing company or division and must be published (not simply distributed) by a publisher incorporated in the United States. * Titles must be published in 2016. * Titles originally published abroad are eligible only if they have a 2016 U.S. publication date; reprints or licensed editions of titles initially published in the United States before 2016 are not eligible. * Original paperbacks are eligible; paperback reprints are not. If a book is published simultaneously in hardcover and paperback, either edition may be submitted. If both editions are submitted, they constitute separate entries. * Revisions are eligible only if the book has been newly illustrated or if substantial text, constituting at least 25% of the book, has been changed or added. * Math books are not eligible unless the mathematical principles are applied to scientific functions such as measuring for experiments, using statistical models for scientific research, and so on. * Textbooks, workbooks, kits, experiment-only books, and activity books are not eligible. * Spanish-language editions of titles published in English before 2016 are not acceptable. Spanish-language editions published simultaneously with English-language editions in 2016 are eligible. * Fiction is eligible if the book has substantial science content. Number of titles that may be submitted Each participating publisher may submit an unlimited number of titles. Submission guidelines Books should have value for both classroom studies and library collections supporting students' work. Full submission guidelines will be available through June 2016 at www.cbc books.org/outstanding-science. Fees There is no submission fee for CBC Regular and Affiliate Members. The fee is $75 per title for Associate and Initiating Members and $300 per title for non-members. All fees are non-refundable. Titles may not be substituted. There is no refund if a title is canceled or postponed. THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF THE FRAMEWORK (from A Framework for K-12 Science Education, National Research Council 2012) Scientific and Engineering Practices SEP1: Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering) SEP2: Developing and using models SEP3: Planning and carrying out investigations SEP4: Analyzing and interpreting data SEP5: Using mathematics and computational thinking SEP6: Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) SEP7: Engaging in argument from evidence SEP8: Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information Crosscutting Concepts CCC1: Patterns CCC2: Cause and effect: Mechanism and explanation CCC3: Scale, proportion, and quantity CCC4: Systems and system models CCC5: Energy and matter: Flows, cycles, and conservation CCC6: Structure and function CCC7: Stability and change Disciplinary Core Ideas Physical Sciences PS1: Matter and its interactions PS2: Motion and stability: Forces and interactions PS3: Energy PS4: Waves and their applications in technologies for information transfer Life Sciences LS1: From molecules to organisms: Structures and processes LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, energy, and dynamics LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and variation of traits LS4: Biological evolution: Unity and diversity Earth and Space Sciences ESS1: Earth's place in the universe ESS2: Earth's systems ESS3: Earth and human activity Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science ETS1: Engineering design ETS2: Links among engineering, technology, science, and society In keeping with the National Science Teachers Association's Strategic Goal 3 (Next Generation Science Standards and STEM), for this year's annotations, titles that have been awarded the Outstanding Science Trade Book award from NSTA/CBC will be aligned to the Scientific and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas from A Framework for K-12 Science Education, on which the NGSS is based. All titles will be listed primarily by the prevailing Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI). This will allow teachers to quickly identify books that may be used with specific concepts. Titles will receive notations of secondary DCIs, Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) at the end of each notation. Titles are not being listed primarily by SEPs and CCCs as these should be woven throughout all science concepts.