Reviews
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Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans by John Marzluff and Tony Angell
Tales of crows’ amazing feats are complemented by original artwork in this look at the birds’ intelligence. Free Press, 2012, 289 p., $25
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Gravity: How the Weakest Force in the Universe Shaped Our Lives by Brian Clegg
A history of attempts to understand the universe’s most mysterious force also explores gravity’s importance in people’s everyday lives.St. Martin’s, 2012, 336 p., $25.99
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Is American Science in Decline? By Yu Xie and Alexandra A. Killewald
Two sociologists look at fears of falling behind the global competition and find that U.S. research is changing but is still in good health. Harvard Univ., 2012, 230 p., $45
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101 American Geo-Sites You’ve Gotta See (Geology Underfoot) by Albert B. Dickas
This handy guide has plenty of labeled photos and diagrams to help you find geological sites of interest in all 50 states. Mountain Press, 2012, 250 p., $24
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BOOK REVIEW: The Marvelous Learning Animal: What Makes Human Nature Unique
Review by Bruce Bower.
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The Ultimate Book of Saturday Science: The Very Best Backyard Science Experiments You Can Do Yourself by Neil A. Downie
A scientist updates the home-experiment genre with original projects chosen because they are both interesting and “spectacular,” including hovercraft and electric sundials. Princeton Univ., 2012, 546 p., $29.95, ages 8 and up
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It’s Raining Fish and Spiders by Bill Evans
An Emmy-winning meteorologist explains weather mysteries through experiments, stories and real-world weather data. Forge, 2012, 240 p., $18.99, grades 2–5
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Where Do Mountains Come From, Momma? by Catherine Weyerhaeuser Morley
Get a little help answering an age-old question of kids, plus read about volcanoes, erosion and more in this book for younger readers. Mountain Press, 2012, 32 p., $12, ages 4–8
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The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity (Scientists in the Field Series) by Elizabeth Rusch
As part of a series called Scientists in the Field, this book about the rovers Spirit and Opportunity is told through the eyes of rover lead scientist Steven Squyres. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012, 80 p., $18.99, ages 10–14
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The Book of Blood: From Legends and Leeches to Vampires and Veins by H.P. Newquist
Stories about blood — from ancient bloodletting to modern medicine — take advantage of kids’ fascination for the gross and explain science at the same time. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012, 152 p., $17.99, ages 10–14
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A Black Hole is Not a Hole by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
There’s plenty for both kids and adults to learn in this colorful look at the discovery of black holes and what scientists know about them today. Charlesbridge, 2012, 74 p., $18.95, ages 9–12
