Anna Prokos

The book Gases Matter describes what matter and gasses are and how they are used. Oxygen is a gas. People, plants and animals need oxygen to live. There is a short story in the book called Under the Sea. This helps the reader understand how science helps a boy overcome fear. I give this book four out of five stars because Anna Prokos does a good job of providing students with vocabulary of matter, gasses, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium and hydrogen. There is a short story that connects well with the vocabulary. I would use this book for a writing lesson on introducing how to write a informative essay. I could also use this book as an anticipatory set before an experiment on helium.… (more)

Killer wallpaper? This book gives all the details on poisoning. Did you know that there is a theory that Napolean died from the wallpaper in his bathroom? Apparently there was arsenic in the green dye in the wallpaper design. Did his love for hot, steamy baths make it the perfect breading ground for toxic mold to form? This is one theory that is believed by some. This book highlights a couple of poisoning stories as well as discussing toxins and their role in damaging the body. This book would be a welcome addition to any upper-level elementary or middle school classroom. It is a nice forensic book that would appeal to many readers.… (more)