March 1, 2015
Gr 3-5-Jeopardy champion of champions, Ken Jennings, is back with another "Junior Genius Guide" and this one is a doozy. In it, he takes readers through an intimate look at the human body in all its glory and grossness. The style is extremely lively with fun facts ("Did you know that your brain is 60% fat, making it the fattiest organ in your body?") along with precise research and spot-on humor. Throughout, Jennings encourages a healthy diet and exercise and includes experiments and activities, including making peanut butter fingers. Lowery's illustrations are cartoonish and goofy and will certainly engage even the most reluctant of readers. Sprinkled through the various chapters are several short quiz questions with answers in the back of the book. There is also a "final exam" at the end. VERDICT This entire series is excellent; this engaging volume about the human body is a first purchase.-Keith Klang, Port Washington Public Library, NY
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 1, 2015
Grades 3-6 Renowned Jeopardy! champion and best-selling author Jennings offers a kid-friendly take on what he describes as the most complicated and extraordinary object in the known universe the human body. Jennings' audience is a band of junior geniuses whose only admission requirement is perpetual curiosity about the world around them. Chapters are organized as subjects in a typical school day, complete with an art-class project and a lunch-period recipe. Sidebars, called extra credit, offer trivia tidbits and culminate in a final exam and homework for further study in the appendix. Jennings begins with the most basic chemical composition of the human body and an explanation of DNA and genetics. All major anatomical systems are described, along with the basics of brain science and psychology. Plenty of experiments and games are written directly in the text. With a relatable format and appealing illustrations, this offers a fun introduction to human anatomy that will be perfect for the inner genius in every young reader.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2015
Beginning with DNA and cellular structure, lighthearted text explains quirky aspects of the human body including the brain, skeleton, amputation, digestion, and more. Cartoon illustrations echo the narrative's goofy tone. Coded messages, "extra credit" boxes, charts, activities, and an "official junior genius certification exam" are included. Accessibility is limited by the generic chapter titles ("First Period"; "Art Class") and no index.
(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)