Synopsis
Discusses the development and workings of the brain and ways in which the brain becomes diseased or damaged
Reviews
Grade 7 Up?A comprehensive, interesting, and informative overview of brain structure and function. The history of research is introduced through the story of Phineas Gage, a construction worker who suffered an injury that allowed scientists to study how personality is controlled by the frontal region of the brain. Further such cases are offered, quickly capturing readers' interest. Information on brain composition, development, and function follows, supplemented by chapters on senses, learning, memory, sleep, dexterity, and right-brain/left-brain theory. A section on dysfunction and disease and "The Future of the Brain," which describes how it might be manipulated genetically or through drugs, gives some insight into current research. The book appears intimidating at first, but the tone is conversational, sometimes to a fault; it almost reads as though a teacher were giving a lecture on the subject, as it is sprinkled with asides and observations. Technical terms are defined in context and in the extensive glossary. Several average-quality, black-and-white diagrams and photographs are scattered throughout. This is far more comprehensive than Ron Schultz's Looking Inside the Brain (John Muir, 1992) and updates the Silversteins' World of the Brain (Morrow, 1986).?Denise L. Moll, Lone Pine Elementary School, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 7-12. Powledge's thorough examination of the brain and its functions will be invaluable to students needing the latest on how the brain processes and stores sensory information or on brain functions, learning, and memory. Readers may be especially interested in the section on dreaming (always a popular topic), which suggests that dreams may be "a kind of nightly data deletion--the way the brain deals with information overload." Although this is not the kind of book that can be easily skimmed, it presents difficult material in a readable, concise manner and uses fine examples from common experience to illustrate complicated terms and processes. Stating that "there are very few simple books on the subject that describe the most recent findings," Powledge cites only periodicals and a few adult sources in her bibliography. Students needing more information may find the extensive bibliography in Lucas' Mind at Work to be more helpful, although many of the sources listed there are not as recent as those Powledge provides. Chris Sherman
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