Body and Health: Discover Science Through Facts and Fun (Simply Science)

With a square-jawed doctor as our cartoon guide, this title in the Simply Science series dashes through lessons on a number of body systems and functions. Much of it is the usual fare—the skeletal system, blood cells, the oxygen/carbon-dioxide exchange—but the detours into scientific discovery are what set this series apart. Blending comic strip–style illustrations with photographs, we learn about the accidents and inspirations that led to the development of the X-ray, the invention of spectacles, the advent of anesthetics, and more. The book closes with a fairly challenging quiz, glossary, and index. None of the material pauses long enough for much depth, and the speed with which it travels won’t help readers organize the information. But as a starting point for choosing an assignment topic, this is fast and fun, and the appealing cover will make it a popular pickup in school libraries. Grades 3-5. --Daniel Kraus