Best STEM Books for Kids from 2022

 

It was a banner year for science books for children. Here are the titles we found to be outstanding in the area of STEM. We have linked our reviews to titles we have reviewed on the blog. We continue to review 2022 titles, so look for upcoming reviews for titles we haven't featured on the blog yet.

The Adventures of Dr. Sloth
by Suzi Eszterhas
Millbrook Press

American Murderer: The Parasite That Haunted the South

by Gail Jarrow

Calkins Creek

Buildings That Breathe: Greening the World's Cities

by Nancy F. Castaldo

Twenty-First Century Books

Caves

by Nell Cross Beckerman

illustrated by Kalen Chock

Orchard Books

Concrete: From the Ground Up

by Larissa Theule

illustrated by Steve Light

Candlewick Press

Footprints Across the Planet

by Jennifer Swanson

Reycraft Books

Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill

by Matt Lilley

illustrated by Dan Tavis

Tilbury House

How to Build a Human in Seven Evolutionary Steps
by Pamela S. Turner
art by John Gurche
Charlesbridge Publishing

Infinity: Figuring Out Forever

by Sarah C. Campbell

photographs by Richard P. Campbell
Astra Books for Young Readers

Planting a Garden in Room 6

by Caroline Arnold
Charlesbridge Publishing

A River's Gifts: The Mighty Elwha River Reborn

by Patricia Newman

illustrated by Natasha Donovan

Millbrook Press

A Seed Grows
by Antoinette Portis
Neal Porter Books

Sharks: A Mighty Bite-y History

by Miriam Forster

illustrated by Gordy Wright
Abrams Books for Young Readers

The Snowy Owl Scientist

by Mark Wilson
Clarion Books

Tree Hole Homes: Daytime Dens and Nighttime Nooks

by Melissa Stewart

illustrated by Amy Hevron
Random House

Life in Hot Water: Wildlife at the Bottom of the Ocean
by Mary Batten
illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez
Peachtree Publishing

The Universe in You 

by Jason Chin
Neal Porter Books

Seen and Unseen

Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adam's Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration
by Elizabeth Partridge
illustrated by Lauren Tamaki
Chronicle Books, 2022
Grades 4 and up

Over the past few years there have been several fiction and nonfiction books published for children about the imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Seen and Unseen looks at this dark time in our country's history though the photographs of Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams. 

The book begins with the bombing of Pearl Harbor followed by the U.S. government's imprisonment of Japanese Americans.  Each photographer is featured in a chapter of the book as each had different experiences documenting the internment camps in photos. The strength of the book is how well the text, illustrations and primary documents work together to give readers a close up look at life in the incarceration camps and the effects on Japanese Americans. Black and white photographs are thoughtfully placed throughout the chapters along with primary sources including newspaper clippings, signs, identification cards, and government documents. 

Tamaki's ink illustrations on contrasting background colors depict the horrors of the event and the squalid conditions of the incarceration camps. Lange took many candids photos in an attempt to show the public these conditions and that innocent families were incarcerated including women and children. Adams was brought in to photographs Manzanar by the warden and had a different view from Lange. Adams's photographs were posed to show content, hardworking prisoners in hopes of shaping the public's view. Miyatake was imprisoned at Manzanar for three years and had to smuggle his camera into the incarceration camp in pieces. He secretly took photographs and developed them at night.

Several pages in the back matter provide readers with insight into the terms and language used in the book such as "incarceration" instead of "relocation," information about civil liberties and additional facts about the three photographers. Thumbnails of each photo used in the book are printed in the back matter with source information. Pair Seen and Unseen with They Call Us the Enemy by George Takei or Uprooted by Albert Marrin.

Seen and Unseen has the best layout and design I have seen recently in a children's nonfiction book. The blending of ink illustrations with photographs is effective and will capture the attention of middle grade readers. The text is broken into sections and placed around the artwork so that readers will be able to read and take in the illustrations as they progress through the book. Pages from the book can be viewed on the author's site.

Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky

Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sean and as Wide as the Sky 
by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
illustrated by Daniel Minter
Alfred A. Knopf, 2022
Grades K-6

The moment readers open Blue, they will know this is an extraordinary book. The expository picture book traces the history of the color blue beginning with lapis lazuli (blue rocks) found in Afghanistan circa 4500 B.C. to blue squeezed from snails in Mexico and the middle east. The story doesn't just focus on the origin of the color blue, but it also examines peoples' views of the color and how blue has influenced society. Historically, the color blue has been in high demand for jewelry and luxury clothing and goods. Brew-Hammond explores how growing indigo became a less expensive alternative to rocks and snails and how the crop contributed to the slave trade and the enslavement of people in the U.S. 

Readers will pore over the pages featuring Minter's gorgeous acrylic wash illustrations on heavy watercolor paper will make. The intricate illustrations incorporate varied textures, patterns and hues.  The book ends on a hopeful note with hands stretched toward the sky with blue a "symbol of possibility." Back matter includes an extensive list of sources, additional facts about the color blue, and an author's note. Blue would make a wonderful gift book for children or adults. It could be read as a text in art class or in a history lesson. The book has won an Orbis Pictus award from NCTE, and I expect it will receive more awards in January.

Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier by Beth Anderson

Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier 
By Beth Anderson;
Illustrated by Anne Lambelet
Calkins Creek. An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. 2022

Attempting to uncover the story of Deborah Sampson proved challenging, says Anderson in her author’s note. “Today, much of Deborah Sampson’s life remains a mystery.” Many details about her story have been lost to history. What she could uncover using primary and secondary sources offers readers an inspirational picture book biography.

Deborah Sampson left her family as a five-year-old. Working to “earn her keep”, the quiet young woman listened to what was being said around her. With the American Revolution percolating, Deborah wanted to be part of it.  Rejecting the traditional path of marriage at age 18, Sampson, fueled by the adventures of women warriors throughout history, decided to try disguising herself as a man to join the fight against the British.

This tale of bravery and courage is well-told. Partnered with Lambelet’s beautiful illustrations that reflect the times, will keep listeners glued to every word. Lambelet’s illustrations, created as traditional pencil drawing, and a variety of hand-painted and hand-drawn textures, all of which are combined and colored in Adobe Photoshop, are stunning. 

Included is a lengthy author’s note that offers a more detailed background on Deborah Sampson and a bibliography. 

New Nonfiction- December 2022

 

The Flying Man: Otto Lilienthal, the World's First Pilot

by Mike Downs

illustrated by David Hohn
Astra Books for Young Readers

The Bird Book

by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Clarion Books

The Science of Light: Things That Shine, Flash, and Glow 
by Margaret Peot
Holiday House

Voices of the People
by Joseph Bruchac
Reycraft

Mark Your Calendars...Best Nonfiction of 2022!

 

The Flying Man: Otto Lilienthal, the World's First Pilot by Mike Downs

The Flying Man: Otto Lilienthal, the World's First Pilot
by Mike Downs; Illustrated by David Holm
Astra Young Readers. An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. 2022

Otto Lilienthal grew up in Anklam, Germany.  At age 14, in 1862, balloons were the only way people could fly. "Scientists, teachers, and news reporters everywhere said flying was impossible." The teenage Otto wanted to prove them wrong.

In this delightful picture book biography, readers are introduced to the German aviator who, with his younger brother, Gustav, spent their free time trying to build a flying machine. Using his skills as an engineer, Otto would spend the next thirty years trying to bring his dream to fruition. Eventually, Otto would earn the title of the world's first pilot.

In the afterword, Mike Downs explains that had the Wright Brothers not read about Otto Lilienthal's achievements, they would never have invented the powered airplane. 

Holm's colorful illustrations, created in digital watercolor, colored pencils and gouache and rendered in Photoshop, support the text. 

Included is an afterword, and author's note. The book lacks dates, source notes, and a bibliography, yet, it will spark curiosity in young readers. 

Concrete from the Ground Up

Concrete: From the Ground Up 
by Larissa Theule
illustrated by Steve Light
Candlewick Press, 2022

Grades 2-6

Concrete: From the Ground Up is the perfect blend of science and history in picture book form.  The book begins with scientific information about the composition of concrete and how it is different from cement. Using an expository writing style, Theule uses a chronological structure to trace the history of concrete in architecture from around the world. From the Parthenon in Ancient Rome to Machu Picchu constructed by the Incas, concrete has been an important role in buildings and structures for thousands of years. Readers will also learn about reinforced concrete of modern day that is used with steel to build skyscrapers, dams and bridges. Famous landmarks are featured in throughout the book including the Hoover Dam, the Berlin Wall, and Sydney Opera House.

Light's pen, ink and watercolor illustrations provide readers with diagrams and visuals while also adding a comic element with the cartoon-style people and speech bubble captions.  Concrete: From the Ground Up is sure to be a hit with fans of The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London't Poop Problem. Visit Larissa Theule's website to view pages from the book.

Mr. McCloskey's Marvelous Mallards: the Making of Make Way for Ducklings by Emma Bland Smith

 Mr. McCloskey's Marvelous Mallards: the Making of Make Way For Ducklings
By Emma Bland Smith;
Illustrations by Becca Stadtlander
Calkins Creek. An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. 2022

Make Way for Ducklings received a 'starred' review from Kirkus in 1941 and went on to win the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal in 1942. What made the book so special? The illustrations. 

Bland shares the story of just how McCloskey, a perfectionist when it came to his art, spent six years trying to get the story just right. The idea of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard looking for a safe place to raise their ducklings was captivating. But, what could he do to make the ducks on the page good enough? 

What else was there to do but draw from real life? And how would he do that? By keep real live ducklings for months in his New York City apartment. 

"You can't draw ducks unless you live with them." Robert McCloskey

The story celebrates the commitment McCloskey had to making his beloved story, a favorite for generations. 

The book includes a word from Jane McCloskey (Robert's daughter), and author's note, a explanation on who was May Massee (McCloskey's editor at Viking Press), a list of book written and illustrated by McCloskey, a bibliography, and a timeline of important dates in the life and career of Robert McCloskey.

A fun book to hand to parents, both those who grew up hearing the story and to those who will read Make Way For Ducklings for the first time. 

Nonfiction News- November 2022

 

Orbis Pictus Award

The 2023 Orbis Pictus Awards for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children were announced at the NCTE Annual Conference last week. 

2023 Orbis Pictus Winner

Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky
by Nan Ekua Brew-Hammond
illustrated by Daniel Minter

Honor Book

Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement
by Angela Joy
illustrated by Janelle Washington

Honor Book

Fighting for Yes!: The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann
by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger

Honor Book

Hardcourt: Stories from 75 Years of the National Basketball Association
by Fred Bowen
illustrated by James E. Ransome

 Honor Book

Seen and Unseen 
by Elizabeth Partridge
illustrated by Lauren Tamaki

                 Mock Awards and Sibert Smackdown

This is the time of year when mock book award programs are in full swing. Melissa Stewart recently revealed the list of Sibert Smackdown titles. Stewart has selected 12 nonfiction picture books for students in grades 3-8. Educators will find resources on the Sibert Smackdown post including a worksheet for evaluating the titles.

Anderson's Book Shop has also published its list of Mock Sibert titles published in 2022.

Best of 2022 Book Lists

It's also the time of year when reviewers, journals and blogs post their lists of best books and favorite books of the year. Here are a few lists of nonfiction books we've seen so far.

School Library Journal's List of Best Nonfiction of 2022

Evanston Public Library's Great Books for Kids: Nonfiction Picture Books

Evanston Public Library's Great Books for Kids: Nonfiction for Older Readers

Chicago Public Library's Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2022

Chicago Public Library's Best Informational Books for Older Readers of 2022

She Sang for India

She Sang for India: How M.S. Subbulakshmi Used Her Voice for Change
by Suma Subramaniam
illustrated by Shreya Gupta
Farrar Straus Giroux, 2022

Young readers will find inspiration from the story of M.S. Subbulakshmi in the picture book biography, She Sang for India.

Kunjamma had a gift for singing from an early age, but the traditions of early 20th century India prevented her from singing in public.

After singing at school, Kunjamma was offered a recording deal and soon became known as Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi. Author Suma Subramaniam traces the rise of Subbulakshmi as a singer and activist in an engaging expository style. The story has references to songs in Hindi, Tamil and Sanskrit. 

Shreya Gupta's gorgeous illustrations are at times colorful and bold when Subbalakshmi is on stage singing or performing at festivals. The palette shifts to darker colors for serious events such as the partition of India and Pakistan divide and the assassination of Gandhi.

The book ends on an uplifting note when Subbulakshmi was invited to sing at the United Nations. As the first singer from India to perform for the U.N., Subbulakshmi spread her message of peace for the world. A timeline in the back matter will help children place the events in time. 

Crash From Outer Space: Unraveling the Mystery of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings, and Roswell by Candace Fleming

Crash from Outer Space: Unraveling the Mystery of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings, and Roswell

By Candace Fleming

Scholastic Focus. An Imprint of Scholastic, Inc. 2022

Did an alien space craft really crash in Roswell, New Mexico on a hot, stormy night on June13, 1947? Some claim they saw alien bodies strewn across the ground. Readers are asked to put on their thinking caps as award-winning author, Candace Fleming investigates whether the crash actually happened or whether the US government has been covering up evidence in a massive conspiracy. 

We meet a cast of interesting characters as Fleming examines all the evidence presented. 

Was the crash real?

Can we trust eyewitness accounts?

Was it Russian spies, secret military technology that crashed in the New Mexican desert that night?

Has the United States government been covering up the evidence all these years?

You must read this thrilling exploration, loaded with photos and illustrations, about one of the most electrifying mysteries in modern history. 

What really happened in Roswell, New Mexico on June 13, 1947.

Well-researched, the book includes an author's note, bibliography of primary and secondary sources, source notes, photo and illustration credits. 

Cover Reveal- Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War

 We are excited to reveal the cover of an upcoming nonfiction book by Talia Aikens-Nuñez.
Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War will be published by Lerner in the spring of 2023. This historical account of the largest mass court martial of the Korean War will appeal to middle grade and young adult readers.

                                                          

Hanged! Mary Surratt & the Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln by Sarah Miller

Hanged! Mary Surratt & the Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln

Sarah Miller

Random House Studio. 2022

In her latest title, accomplished nonfiction author, Sarah Miller (The Borden Murders, The Miracle & Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets, Violet & Daisy) investigates a question that is still debated over 150 years later: Did Mary Surratt commit treason by aiding and abetting John Wilkes Booth in his conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, or, was Mary a mere victim of coincidence? 

Mary Surratt owned a boardinghouse in downtown Washington, D.C. The boardinghouse was one of the locations where John Wilkes Booth and his allies, including Mary's own son, are known to have met to discuss Lincoln's assassination.  Using primary and secondary sources, this thought-provoking narrative is a real page-turner.  

The author includes lots of black & white historical photographs, an epilogue, author's note, bibliography on her sources, and several pages of sources for quotes.

Hand this to history buffs, homeschooling families studying the Civil War, those who love a good mystery, and anyone, from kids to adults, who just want a really good book to read. I must admit, from the moment I started reading I could not put the book down.

New Nonfiction- November 2022

Hanged! Mary Surratt and the Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln

by Sarah Miller

Random House

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults
by Robin Wall Kimmerer
adapted by Monique Gray Smith
illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt
Zest Books

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Adapted for Young Readers

by Isabel Wilkerson

Delacorte Press

Notes from a Sickbed 

by Tessa Brunton

Graphic Universe

Buildings That Breathe: Greening the World's Cities

by Nancy F. Castaldo

Twenty-First Century Books

Nic Bishop Elephants

by Nic Bishop

Scholastic Press

Wild Animals of the World

by Dieter Braun

Flying Eye Books

Puffin

by Martin Jenkins

illustrated by Jenni Desmond

Candlewick Press

The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey

Jason Chin

Neal Porter Books

A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington

by Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders

illustrated by Byron McCray

Henry Holt and Co.

Mr. McCloskey's Marvelous Mallards:

The Making of Make Way for Ducklings

by Emma Bland Smith

illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

Calkins Creek

She Sang for India: How M.S. Subbulakshmi Used Her Voice for Change

by Suma Subramaniam

illustrated by Shreya Gupta

Farrar Straus Giroux

Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm's Fight for Change

by Tameka Fryer Brown

illustrated by Nina Crews

Millbrook Press

A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexican Word Painters

by Duncan Tonatiuh

Abrams Books for Young Readers

Of Walden Pond: Henry David Thoreau, Frederic Tudor, and the Pond Between Them

by Lesa Cline-Ransome

illustrated by Ashley Benham-Yazdani

Holiday House

Elephants Remember: A True Story

by Jennifer O'Connell

Tilbury House

The First Notes: The Story of DO, RE, MI

by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Tree Hole Homes

Tree Hole Homes: Daytime Dens and Nighttime Nooks
by Melissa Stewart
illustrated by Amy Hevron
Random House Studio, 2022
Grades PreK-3

Tree Hole Homes asks young readers to "imagine what it would be like to live in a tree." This scientific picture book uses an inviting and lyrical writing style that carries the story through woods, fields, and rain forests where animals make their homes in tree holes. Readers will learn about the tree hole homes of fishers, tree frogs, barred owls, black bears, little brown bats, and more. Expository paragraphs offer facts and details about the featured animals and their activities both inside and outside the trees.

Bold acrylic, charcoal pencil, and digital illustrations on wood depict animals snoozing, nesting and hiding from prey inside tree holes. Budding scientists will be excited by the additional facts in the back matter about the animals.

Stewart and Hevron have succeeded in crafting a high quality and engaging science book for young readers that is both scientifically accurate and accessible to children in primary grades.  A recommended purchase as a gift book for children who love learning about nature as well as a solid addition to an elementary science classroom or library.

Visit Melissa Stewart's site to learn about how she came up with the idea for the book. There are also extensions including a video visit to the Amy Hevron's studio.

Caves

Caves
by Nell Cross Beckerman

illustrated by Kale Chock

Orchard Books, 2022

Grades K-5

Readers are invited to explore caves in this stunning science picture book. Beckerman pairs poetry written in the 3rd person with expository text to give readers a glimpse inside the caves. The poetic text employs gorgeous word choice to bring the world of caves to life while the parallel expository text teaches readers about rock formations, stalactites, crystals, cave temperatures, fossils, bats and glowworms. 

Chock's realistic style illustrations use a dark palette and different points of view to give readers a sense of the darkness and wonder found inside caves.

Back matter includes a list of cave rules, fun facts and spelunking equipment. Give Caves as a gift to young readers interested in science and nature or use it as a mentor text for teaching students to write about science topics. 

Visit the author's site to view page spreads from the book.