REVIEW: 11 Experiments That Failed

Offill, J. & Carpenter, N.  (2011).  11 Experiments That Failed.  New York:  Schwartz & Wade Books.

Appetizer:  A curious troublemaker goes through the scientific process to answer wonderful questions; like if a kid can survive on snowballs and catsup, if dogs like to be covered in glitter, if a piece of bologna will fly like a frisbee or if seedlings will grow from perfume instead of water.  The results of her experiments, as you can probably gather from the picturebook's title, are not exactly ideal.  But the scientific process must continue!

The illustrations of 11 Experiments That Failed use the same mixed media of photographs and drawings that are featured in the author and illustrator's other book, 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore!

While I imagine that some would argue that this book could encourage troublemaking, I prefer to think that it encourages curiosity.  Adding awesomeness to that sense of fun and curiosity is the fact that all of the questions the young scientist explores are structured in the scientific method.  This structure makes this picturebook ideal to share with students just learning about the scientific process in an accessible way.

I'm actually teaching a literacy course right now and am bringing the book in to describe logical intelligence.


Tasty Rating:  !!!

REVIEW: Squish: Super Amoeba (Number One)

Holm, J.L. & Holm, M.  (2011).  Squish:  Super Amoeba.  New York:  Random House.

94 pages.


Appetizer:  Squish is a young amoeba who loves comic books and twinkies.  His best friend, Pod, is planning to fix global warming, but only after Squish agrees to trade lunches with him.  Their friend Peggy is a paramecium who is happy all of the time.

When Lynwood, a particularly big and mean amoeba, targets consuming Peggy amoeba style (as opposed to eating with a mouth, human style) Squish tries to stand up to the bully and finds himself pressured to help Lynwood cheat in science class in his effort to do the right thing.

I liked many of the elements of Squish.  The scientific facts were subtly included, preventing the book from becoming annoying.  I liked the arrows that provided a lot of details and gave the book a pseudo-academic voice (but that were really quite funny).  I also like that Squish was a comic book fan and aspired to be like his favorite hero, Super Amoeba.

My one big complaint about the book is that--I can't believe I'm saying this, but--I wished it'd been a little more didactic about providing suggestions to deal with bullying.  The conflict with Lynwood is resolved in a quick and humorous way that wee-bullied kids can't rely upon.

I can't believe this is happening...I'm always so opposed to everything teachy and preachy.  (There is a brief suggestion about telling a teacher...and that's fine...I just wish it hadn't occurred after Squish asked for help from his dad whose response was to initially offer no help at all.)

I also could have used more character development with Pod and Peggy.  Peggy's ceaseless optimism was annoying.  Plus, when Lynwood almost eats her...she doesn't even notice.  I get that Squish has to be the one to save the day, but it'd be nice if this paramecium could be a little more self-aware.  Hopefully the rest of the series will include some more development for these supporting characters.


In contrast to the Holm siblings' other series, Babymouse, Squish is arguably a graphic novel series that will appeal more to boys while including subtle facts from a microbiology lesson.  

I'm very excited to see the other books in the Squish series mix-up the color scheme a little more.

Side note:  When you google images of 'babymouse,' you end up with some super cute results:









At the end of the book, there were a few extras for readers to try.  I appreciated that they included a short science experiment to grow mold, but I imagine there are some parents who will appreciate it far less.

I preferred the instructions on how to draw a Squish:

Here's my attempt:

Dinner Conversation:

Tasty Rating:  !!

REVIEW: The Secret Science Alliance

Davis, E.  (2009).  The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook.  New York:  Bloomsbury.

150 pages.




Appetizer: Eleven-year-old Julian is excited to transfer to a new school, hoping that instead of being seen as a nerd by the other students that he can be seen as normal.  Julian's plan doesn't quite work out as he planned and he receives an encoded note to join The Secret Science Alliance.

The three alliance members enjoy designing and tinkering with many new inventions in their secret underground lair.  But when the book that contains all of their designs is stolen, the science alliance must string into action to make certain their ideas aren't stolen and used in a theft at the museum.

So, I decided to use this book with my students for two main reasons:

1.  It was a graphic novel (and the majority of my students have no idea what that term even means, so I view it as my teacherly duty to promote their use in the classroom)
2.  This graphic novel in particular features characters who show a love for ingenuity and science.

In my experience, teachers and librarians are always on the search for more books that feature protagonists that love science and math.  (And so imagine my excitement when I found a graphic novel that did this.  It was a squeeeee! kinda moment.)

However, the jokes on me, because the majority of my undergrads didn't seem to enjoy the book (granted, this group also hated Sharon Creech's Love That Dog.  How can you hate Love That Dog?!  That book is made of love!).

When I tried to trigger discussion on the book, all of my questions were met with dead silence.  Although I always encourage my students to express their opinion no matter if it's good, bad, ugly, hot or in direct disagreement to what I'm saying, they would. not. speak.

But I kind of suspect what they're problem is.  I'd even warned them that it might be a problem.  The artwork for The Secret Science Alliance is exceptionally busy.  Take these pages for example:

Where am I supposed to be looking in these?  It can be exceptionally overwhelming.  I was rereading the book, and I repeatedly had to remind myself that I didn't need to take in every single detail (although, as the teacher, I did feel pressured to still look over everything, because you never know what students will ask.  When they speak.).

But having said that, if you think about the specific (sciency/inventor-minded) audience this book is targeting, then all of these details are perfect.  Wonderful.  Joy.

Sciencey and illustration-oriented readers will love that they can stare at one page for over twenty minutes and are still taking in the creative details of the book.

But also complicating the text is the fact that it also shows some unnecessary dialogue bubbles that are partially covered by other dialogue bubbles because the protagonists are only listening to one of several conversations going on.

I liked this touch because it reflected reality.  But at the same time, it meant I did some unnecessary reading as I figured out what I was supposed to be focusing on.  And plus, who doesn't want to hear about Mesopotamian baklava?  I mean, really?

Now, having rambled about what I used my mind-reading skills to figure out were my students issues, I want to go back to some of the strengths of the graphic novel.

I also like that it challenges stereotypes.  Don't judge my appearances.  People have different talents and skills.  A jock is great at science.  He, a new supernerd at the school and a tough girl are all friends through their love of science.


So you hear that nerd and nerdettes of the world?  Be yourselves!  You'll find friends with common interests in surprising places.


Dinner Conversation:

Julian:  "Hello!  My name is Julian Calendar!  Like many of you, I enjoy popular activities such as "hanging out" at the local shopping mall and watching sports on TV, so I know we'll all be great friends!"  I'm going to fit in for once! (p. 5).

Greta:  "We need a place to experiment and build our inventions in complete secrecy, so none of our work can be stolen by adults" (p. 37).

Julian:  Let's for a team!  We should be a team!  Of secret scientists!" (p. 42).




Tasty Rating:  !!!

Literary Feast Invite: Fat Cat

As Monica hinted at a few days ago, our next literary feast will be on Robin Brande's Fat Cat.

I'll admit, I'm about 20 pages in already and I'm pretty amused.  But I thought I'd post some of the cover information to get all-ya-alls interested.

Cat is a devoted scientist.  For one of her most challenging classes, she randomly selects an image of ancient Homo erectus that she has to base her big class project around.  In a last minute moment of inspiration, she decides to live like a cavewoman:  eat what they ate, avoid modern technology, etc.  As Cat begins her research, she begins to lose weight, a piece of data that a lot of the boys in her school are taking note of, including that seemingly nice (but truly vile) Matt McKinney, who Cat will battle for the top science prize.

For those of you out there who are science oriented and not opposed to laughing, this may be the book for you.  So, please join us in our discussion of Fat Cat beginning with the first 81 pages on

REVIEW: The Frog Scientist

Turner, P.S.  (2009).  The Frog Scientist.  Boston:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

9780618717163

58 pages

PLOT SUMMARY:  This information picturebook is structured as a chapter book and describes the research of Dr. Tyrone Hayes and his team (that for the first chapter includes his young middle grade son) as they research frogs as well as the developmental process and environmental dangers to frogs.

Each page spread averages three photos, both of the researchers and of the frogs being studied.  The narrative includes a lot of fascinating facts about frogs and maintains a human touch by sharing information about scientists and their studies.

All of the photos included in The Frog Scientist are a great strength of the book.  Those photos that include people, have an amazing amount of multicultural representation.  (This is unusual for science information books, which usually only include a few awkward looking white people.  But what makes this case so awesome, is that it's Tyrone's REAL team that includes students from such a wide variety of ethnic and academic backgrounds--and the text willingly admits the both Tyrone and one of his students had, at times, struggled academically, but still worked hard to achieve their goals.  Very encouraging for some reluctant readers and future scientists!).

I also found it interesting that Turner's writing addressed all of the people by their first name, including the doctors, which makes them seem more relatable and gives young readers a sense that they too, can be super frog scientists.  (This too is compounded by the fact that the team is doing their research in near by Wyoming, reminding readers that research can be done close to home)

As a small warning, there are a few photos of dead frogs, one of which is being autopsied.  While such sights may be common for young adults, some middle grade readers may feel queasy at the photos.

In other more disturbing news, I keep typing "frongs" when I mean to type "frogs."  Why, fingers, oh, why do you do this?


ACTIVITIES:

Aside from frogs, a teacher could also lead students in discussion of scientific research, the influence of pesticides and pollutants on the environment, endangerment and extinction of a species and the Amphibian Ark project.  Along with considering the environmental dangers to frogs, The Frog Scientist shares information and photos on different types of frogs and the standard development and grown process (as well as mutations from that process).

Since the information includes a biographical sketch of Hayes's childhood, a teacher can also touch on topics like segregation in the South, not giving up and could be used to encourage students to consider getting advanced degrees.  And depending on the group of students--whether they're already super science fans or just checking the story out,  a teacher can choose which chapters to begin sharing with students and in what order.  Some chapters are lighter on the science terms and frog factoids than others.

After reading this book and researching frogs some more, students could collect tadpoles and raise their own frogs.  Or they could do their own research project in response--some activity that involves comparing a control group to one that was influenced by some factor.


QUOTES OF NOTE:

"The sun is just peeking over golden Wyoming hills as Dr. Tyrone Hayes wakes his team.  Jasmin Reyes sleeps wrapped in green mosquito netting.  "Jasmin, the giant pickle," Tyrone teases" (p. 1).

"Pesticides are not meant to harm frogs.  However, when people put pesticides into the environment, the effects can be very hard to control.  Tyrone wants to know how pesticides in the environment affect growing frogs" (p. 3).

"Fewer frogs?  Some people might shrug.  Yet the frogs may be telling us something important about the health of our environment.
"Even if you don't care about frogs, you have to wonder how this affects us, too," says Tyrone.  "What's in our water?" (p. 6).

"Tyrone encourages his students to discover what they love and work hard at it.  And he has never forgotten his difficult times at Harvard.  Everyone in Tyrone's lab gets to do research and go on field trips.  Everyone also shares the not-so-fun jobs like washing test tubes" (p. 35).


TASTY RATING: !!!!