Does It Really Take Seven Years to Digest Swallowed Gum?

April 1, 2010
Grades 4-6 The Mythbusters TV show tapped into a wide-ranging fascination with either affirming or shooting down long-held beliefs, and in that same spirit this book sets its sights squarely on such playground truisms as whether a penny placed in the tracks can really derail a train or if Wint-O-Green Life Savers really spark in the dark. Each spread answers the question right off the bat, then delves deeper into the issue in a chatty manner, propped up by related trivia and activities to try on your own. As evidenced by the section on whether its possible to swing all the way around on a swingset, science and mathematics dont come in a much slyer package, and an engaging layout with full-bleed pages, dynamic photos, and cartoony drawings makes it all the more fun. This is a rare sort of book that will add pizzazz to science classes, yet remains viable general-interest reading on its own. Other titles in the Is That a Fact? series tighten the focus to questions about animals, the environment, health, and space.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2010
This book poses seventeen random questions. The busy pages include graphics, photos, text boxes, and "Try This!" experiments. The kid-friendly topics range from the title question (answer: no) to what happens "when you bite on a Wint-O-Green Life Saver" and whether a penny can derail a train. Like gum, not much substance but diverting. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2010
Gr 4–6—-hese books feature popular sayings and beliefs. One spread discusses each entry and a conclusion is reached—the saying is true, untrue, or nobody knows. "Apple"examines assertions that chicken soup cures the common cold and that going outside with wet hair causes illness. Bromides discussed in "Gum"include whether a penny on the track can derail a train, and whether a chemical in swimming pools can detect urine. "Dog"focuses on beliefs pertaining to animals, such as the idea that camels store water in their humps and cats always land on their feet. Donovan's writings are humorous and straightforward, and the books' photos and drawings add to the humorous tone. These titles are similar to the books in Heinemann's "Body Matters" series and will be definite crowd pleasers, especially among reference buffs (the students who would check out the encyclopedias if they could).—"Katie Cerasale-Messina, AC Whelan Elementary School, Revere, MA"

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