Reviewed by annieb123 on
Chemical World: Science in Our Daily Lives is a STEAM manual and ecology resource book aimed at middle grade readers. Due out 12th May 2020 from Orca Books, it's a compact 48 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.
The book has a logical and accessible layout. The author makes an interesting case for investigating the chemicals in the substances we use (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant), eat (food, milk, cereal), and the packaging our groceries come to us wrapped in. She wonders how they impact our world and our environment.
The following chapters introduce elements as well as the periodic table, the discovery and development of plastics, and many more topics. Each of the sections clearly defines introduced concept and is well illustrated and photographed throughout. The author builds on the introductory themes and widens them to show the interconnectedness of life on Earth and the impact chemical waste and plastic pollution have on our environment. She winds up with reader accessible practical ideas for action on an individual scale to heal the planet we all call home. The book includes a resources/links list including online links for further reading, a glossary, and an index. It's a very short book but information dense and useful.
The book also has pictures of young student activists. I liked that they seemed engaged in the projects that they were doing and looked like they were having fun. I also liked that the creative team made the effort to include a diverse group of kids in the tutorial photos (STEAM projects are for -everyone- and representation is important).
I've been banging on for years on my blog (and real life) about STEAM subjects and how vital they are for our future. This book would make a great choice for a classroom library, gift for a young reader, library activity project, or similar use.
Five stars, there's a lot to like here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 11 May, 2020: Finished reading
- 11 May, 2020: Reviewed