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Fourth Grade
THE GREAT MONKEY RESCUE: SAVING THE GOLDEN LION TAMARINS. 2015. Sandra Markle. Millbrook Press Trade. 48pp. ISBN-10: 1467780308. STANDARD 3: LIFE SCIENCE.
Readers learn not only about the plight of the golden lion tamarin, but also about the scientists and volunteers who have worked for decades to save them. Photographs extend readers’ appreciation of these unique animals.
HOW TO SWALLOW A PIG: STEP-BY-STEP ADVICE FROM THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 2015. Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. HMH Books for Young Readers. 32pp. ISBN-10: 0544313658. STANDARD 3: LIFE SCIENCE. Eighteen unique animal behaviors are explained in easy-to-understand language. Detailed paper collages add visual interest to every page.
Fifth Grade
THE CALL OF THE OSPREY. 2015. Dorothy Hinshaw Patent. Illus. William Muñoz. HMH Books for Young Readers. 80pp. ISBN-10: 0544232682. STANDARD 3: LIFE SCIENCE. Through vivid photographs and engaging text, readers will learn about the plight of the Montana osprey who are suffering from mercury poisoning due to poor mining practices decades ago. Equally important is the story of the scientists who study living organisms in their natural habitats.
WANGARI MAATHAI: THE WOMAN WHO PLANTED MILLIONS OF TREES. 2015. Franck Prevot. Illus. Aurelia Fronty. Charlesbridge. 48pp. ISBN-10: 158089626X. STANDARD 3: LIFE SCIENCE. This picture book biography details the life of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Wangari Maathai, an environmentalist and political activist who devoted her life to the reforestation of her native Kenya.
Primary Honorable Mention
CLOUDS: A COMPARE AND CONTRAST BOOK. 2015. Katharine Hall. Arbordale. 32pp. ISBN-10: 1628554576. STANDARD 2: EARTH SCIENCE. Full page photographs of cloud types makes this an excellent accompaniment to weather observations. The “For Creative Minds” section includes water cycle experiments to extend the science content.
EGGS: NATURE’S PERFECT PACKAGE. 2015. Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Illus. Steve Jenkins. HMH Books for Young Readers. 32pp. ISBN-10: 0547959095. STANDARD 3: LIFE SCIENCE. Eggs from various species are depicted and categorized by aspects such as shape and size. Additional information at the end includes development of chick and alligator embryos as well as size and habitat of each species.