Looking Inside the Brain (X-Ray Vision)

Describes the anatomy and function of the brain and discusses the senses, memory, brain diseases, and more

Grade 9 Up-- Schultz's text is highly informative, yet controversial, with phrases such as ``remarkable colors'' and ``you bet'' peppered throughout. The illustrations, however, set it apart from standard titles on the nervous system. Full-color, stock medical photos are accompanied by a multitude of bright, neon-colored drawings. Most of them are of characters only possible in cartoons, such as the ``brain team'' of baseball players whose heads are brain-shaped, or side views of brains with eyeballs on normal human bodies. At first glance, it's all a bit incongruous; the flashy illustrations are combined with solid information written at an advanced reading level on the anatomy, physiology, functions, and diseases of this organ. But it should appeal to many YAs, especially with its unexpected extras: a list of ``bizarre'' movies on the subject and a variety of related jokes. --Denise L. Moll, Lone Pine Elementary School, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"Faster than a speeding computer, more powerful than the strongest of bodies, able to leap vast concepts in a single bound. . . . It's your brain!" This lively entry in the X-ray Vision series offers a frenetic, engrossing examination of the human brain. The book's enticing design features Day-Glo colors, lucid photographs, off-beat cartoony art and clear, carefully labeled diagrams--pulled together by bold checked borders. The addition of a jazzy, fact-filled text results in sure-fire exciting recreational reading. The survey discusses the brain's anatomy, functions and evolution; senses and the Central Nervous System; memory, drams, diseases and much more. The sometimes jokey but fact-packed prose style is complemented by ample sidebar Brain Teasers ("Is the mind less than the brain, equal to the brain, or more than the brain?") and never fails to will keep even the most scientifically challenged reader engaged. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.