   | Mystery of life : how nothing became everything Author: Schutten, Jan Paul | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
With decades of scientific knowledge behind him and a genuine sense of fun in his approach, Jan Paul Schutten rewards curiosity with engaging explanations about some of the most complicated scientific issues that exist, and tells readers that there is much left to discover. For example: Why does the paramecium deserve a standing ovation? How do you build a planet? Does a tree want to be tall? How does a bacterium turn into a blue whale? How can you survive without a rear end?
| Illustrator: | Rieder, Floor |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 6.30 Points: 7.0 Quiz: 176202 |
Common Core Standards
Grade 7 → Reading → RI Informational Text → 7.RI Craft & Structure
Grade 7 → Reading → RI Informational Text → 7.RI Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade 8 → Reading → RI Informational Text → 8.RI Craft & Structure
Grade 8 → Reading → RI Informational Text → 8.RI Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (05/15/15)
School Library Journal (06/01/15)
Booklist (09/15/15)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 06/01/2015 Gr 5 Up—How old is the Earth, and how was it formed? How did nonliving atoms evolve into single cell organisms and then into the plethora of species that inhabit the Earth today? How did scientists discover the answers to these questions, and how can they provide proof for their theories? Schutten responds to these queries and countless others as he explains the scientific discoveries that led, over time, to the development of theories such as the big bang and evolution. Taking a big picture approach, he puts all the pieces of the puzzle that comprise our complex world into one accessible, entertaining title, using just the right mixture of fun facts, scientific information, and age-appropriate language. Schutten divides his chapters up into subsections that ask specific questions ("What Are Seashells Doing on Top of a Mountain?") and incorporates complex ideas in his responses. He also peppers his text with interesting tidbits of information. For example, we get goose bumps because our ancestors had fur—which, when it stood on end, provided warmth. Schutten is an award-winning author who argues vehemently for evolution but doesn't exclude those who believe in God and creationism; he encourages his readers to think for themselves. Interspersed liberally throughout the text are clear, rather playful illustrations, which add to the lighthearted and humorous tone. VERDICT A great choice for libraries looking to bolster their STEM collection.—Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 09/15/2015 Schutten attempts to demystify life on Earth. Beginning with a definition of life itself and such basics as cells, atoms, and bacteria, he makes progressive jumps in reasoning to explain how old the universe is, how the universe began, and how and where life on Earth began. The theory of evolution and natural selection fill the bulk of the book as he describes in detail how species adapted and changed over time. The author also acknowledges that evolution is a sensitive subject and respectfully pokes fun at both scientists and creationists. Conversational text, with “Joe Schmo from Buffalo” as a sample human, keeps the potentially weighty explanations easy to understand. While questions like “How does a fish get four legs?” drive the text, it’s questions like “How do you survive without a butt?” that grab readers’ attentions and get them thinking like scientists. Although some humor crosses into the unscientific, Schutten’s evolutionary offering is more substantial than many books on the topic. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.
