10 Science Books 9-11 Year Olds Will Love
If you want to foster a love of science in your elementary aged kids, you’ve got to make it readily accessible at home. Science class is great for teaching basics and fundamentals, but supplementing what they learn at school is key to a more well-rounded education and deeper understanding. One great way to reinforce science concepts is by reading books with your children. Here are 10 great Science books 9-11 year olds will want to read over and over!
2. Extreme Weather, by H. Michael Mogil – This book is full to the brim with amazing images and quality diagrams on everything from types of storms to how to observe weather to places known for their specific extreme weather conditions. The images – taken at unique and unexpected angles from up-close in the action will take readers right inside the book. The text answers likely questions about weather and will guide your kids to a better understanding. It’s an engaging follow-up to meteorology basics and a fun read.
3. The Elephant Scientist, by Caitlin O’Connell and Donna M. Jackson – This book chronicles the research and findings of Caitlin O’Connell, an American scientist who traveled to Namibia to research Elephants in their natural habitat. Set in the African scrub desert, this book includes breathtaking photographs that will truly engage young readers. O’Connell’s observations of elephant behavior led to a groundbreaking discovery in her field. For those interested in Biology and Animal Sciences, this is a great representation of the field.
4. Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes: Unforgettable Experiments That Make Science Fun, by Steve Spangler – This book is written and endorsed by the original creator of the mentos geyser! Inside your kids will find extraordinary science experiments they can do with household items. This isn’t your average science – these tricks are sure to entertain and amaze, all while your kids learn more about the why’s and how’s!
5. Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vests, Sutures, and Parachute Rope, by Bridget Heos – In this captivating book, kids enter the Science lab of Randy Lewis whose research centers on spider silk and its benefits and uses in human life applications. Through photographs and exciting factual presentation, kids learn about golden orb weaver spiders, and transgenic alfalfa, silkworm silk, and goats, whose milk contains the proteins to spin spider silk–and to weave a nearly indestructible fiber! They’ll be fascinated to discover the applications: from improving body armor and strengthening parachute tethers, to repairing human bones and ligaments! This is an exciting look into the world of genetic medicine, with some focus given to the ethical concerns of genetic research.
6. Great Scientists, by Jacqueline Fortey – Great Scientists takes a look at the world’s pioneering scientist, their most popular discoveries and relevance to us today. The book begins with Aristotle, highlights Archimedes, William Harvey, Louis Pasteur, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble (among many others), and ends with Stephen Hawking. It’s an overview of leading discoveries and life’s work in the vast field of science and shows a bit about many subcategories. Each scientist is afforded a summary of work and contribution to the science community and historical effect, some personal information, a timeline, and a photograph. This is a very in depth look at very important leading scientists that have shaped our knowledge and view of the world and a wonderful introduction to the history of science concepts. It is interesting and engaging, and will give kids a desire for more.
7. Something Stinks! by Gail Hedick, When dead fish continue to wash ashore of the Higdon River, a determined young lady decides to find out why. At first mocked by her seventh grade classmates, she eventually persuades them to help in her investigation. They’re led to factories, farms, golf courses and all over town, and their discoveries eventually land them in trouble with law enforcement. Can a group of kids really solve the puzzle and fix the source of the problem? While fictional in content, this book sheds light on serious, real-life issues and has been awarded for its outstanding Science content by the NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Committee.
8. Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives, by Elizabeth Rusch – This exciting and action packed book begins by detailing the 1985 eruption of Colombia’s Nevado del Ruiz, one of the most devastating volcanic events known. With amazing real-time photography and engaging sidebar notes and facts, this book chronicles the perils of living in volcano danger zones – as more than one billion people do today. It also recounts the life-saving missions of the International Volcano Crisis Team. This is one book about science they won’t be able to put down!
9. The Periodic Table: Elements With Style, by Simon Dasher and Adrian Dingle – This super witty book introduces kids to Chemistry and the elements in a new and engaging way. The pages are designed to resemble popular networking sites online, and each element is given their own homepage. Kids will love reading through the funny and informative “profiles” – each personally written by the elements themselves – and watching for profile pics that represent their “personalities”!
(Bonus: Look for other Simon Basher books, too! Each has the same entertaining illustrations and design, along with the witty writing and style typical of Basher. There’s Astronomy: Out of This World, Physics: Why Matter Matters, Biology: Life as We Know It, Human Body: A Book With Guts, and more about Science, Technology, History and Math!)
10. The Elements: a Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe, by Theodore Gray – Do not be put off by the intimidating title or the length of this book. The Elements is the perfect aid in teaching your kids about atoms and elements. Each page is broken into sections for easy visualization – so there is detailed information without overwhelming the eye. Bright, bold photographs of the elements in their true form accompany the text, along with sidebar images that show various real-world applications of each element. Explained in a way that makes elements fun and personal, the text and graphics are easily accessible, even to children. The gorgeous photographs alone will excite readers and ignite an interest in Chemistry.
(Bonus: See also Theodore Grays’ sequel to Elements, Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything and Marcus Chown’s Solar System: A Visual Exploration of the Planets, Moons and Other Heavenly Bodies that Orbit Our Sun. Both of these are done in the same eye-catching, invigorating and exciting style.)
Kimberly Mueller is the “me” over at bugaboo, mini, mr & me, a blog that highlights her creative endeavors. She especially likes to share kid crafts, sewing attempts, recipes, upcycled projects, photography and free printable gift tags/cards. When she’s not enjoying being married to her best friend, chasing after the natives (AKA her three kids) and attempting to keep the house in one piece, you can find her with a glue gun in one hand and spray paint in the other. Aside from DIY pursuits, she also enjoys writing, reading, music, singing (mostly in the shower) and the color yellow. Kimberly recently published a craft book entitled Modern Mod Podge. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest,Bloglovin’ and Instagram. Email her at: bugabooblog(at)yahoo.com
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