Bugged!: Mosquitoes (Science Solves It! ®) - Softcover

Knudsen, Michelle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1575652595 ISBN 13: 9781575652597

Publisher: Astra Publishing House, 2008

Synopsis

Bzzzz! The mosquitoes are attacking and Riley’s on the run! Can he find a way to make himself bug-proof―once and for all?

About this title

About the Author

Michelle Knudsen is the author of many books, including the fantasy novels The Dragon of Trelian and The Princess of Trelian. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling picture book Library Lion, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes, as well as the picture books Argus, illustrated by Andréa Wesson, and Big Mean Mike, illustrated by Scott Magoon. Michelle lives in Brooklyn, New York. Blanche Sims has illustrated scores of books for children, including the books in Patricia Reilly Giff’s Polk Street School series and those in the Oliver and Company series by Page McBrier. She lives in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

Reviews

Grade 1–3—Riley is the only one in his group of friends who is constantly being bitten by mosquitoes, and he sets out to discover why. After a lot of research as well as some experimentation, Riley solves the mystery. It turns out that mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of Limburger cheese, which resembles the odor of his stinky sneakers. Clear and simple sentences, colorful realistic illustrations, and diverse characters all contribute to this appealing easy reader. Sidebars full of mosquito facts clutter up the layout, but are worth it because of the amount of interesting information they contain. Riley's activities serve as a great model of the research process as well as the scientific method. He visits the library and uses books, he goes online, and he has an interview with a "bug expert" at the local college, and then he tests out his ideas before coming to a conclusion. The facts are delivered with humor, making for a thoroughly enjoyable read. "Think Like a Scientist" activities round out this appealing title.—Amy Rowland, Guggenheim Elementary School, Port Washington, NY
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This book in the Science Solves It series packs a big punch despite a slight story. Riley has a problem: mosquitoes love him, and he’s tired of it. His friends think it’s funny, but they don’t have to cope with itchy bites and annoying buzzing. And he can’t figure out why the pests bother him and pass his buddies by. His mother won’t allow him to use chemical sprays, and a natural remedy doesn’t work (cats follow him home!), so he goes to the Internet to find out more, and he visits his friend’s uncle, an entomologist, who gives the best advice of all. Sims’ lively cartoon sketches, washed in a rainbow of colors, are funny and filled with expression, and Knudsen provides lots of facts in boxes scattered across the pages. In addition to all the surprising, useful bug facts, there’s a good lesson in problem solving. Grades 1-3. --Stephanie Zvirin

Edition details

• Publisher: Astra Publishing House
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1575652595
• ISBN 13: 9781575652597
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Sims Blanche
• Number of pages: 32