Non-Fiction Monday: Scholastic Discover More: Elements by Dan Green
112 p. Scholastic Press, January, 2012. 9780545330190. (Chosen to review for InfoLinkNJ.)
What better way to learn the periodic table of elements than from this entry in the Scholastic Discover More (Expert) series? Five Chapters are entitled, ”Meet the elements, Mainstream metals, Nonmetals & gases, History of Discovery, and Fiery & fizzing metals.” The backgrounds, if they aren’t comprised of dramatic full-color photographs, are pure eye-popping color. The font is bold and varied. The pages are crammed with photos, factoids and drawings. Of course, the familiar table occupies a double-page spread. But! Turn the page and, there it is again, only photographs of the element are squeezed into the boxes with names, abbreviations and periodic numbers.
Wow, this visually stunning book from the is going to hook middle school chemistry students from the start, especially if they are visual learners! While the photos cram the pages and definitely compete for attention, there’s plenty for more linear students to read and ponder.
The accompanying interactive e-book provides additional points-of-interest.
