Shocking Science: Fun and Fascinating Electrical Experiments

Grade 3-6-This attractive book covers the basics of electricity. An introduction emphasizes safety first and puts forth a complete list of supplies, most of which are readily available at home or from a hardware store. Levine and Johnstone present the history and theory behind static electricity, and explore electricity step by step through various concepts such as capacity, conductivity, flow of electrons, magnetism, and resistance. The history of research on the properties of electricity, nomenclature, and the construction of a basic circuit board are included. Full-color photographs and drawings extend the text. This volume complements Bob Bonnet and Dan Keen's Science Fair Projects with Electricity and Electronics (Sterling, 1996).
Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This large-format book offers science activities related to electricity. Five chapters present experiments in these categories: static electricity, currents, magnetism, circuits, and electronic boards. As one might guess from the pun in the title, there's a certain amount of jaunty writing, especially in the introductions, but the organization and writing as a whole is clear and purposeful. Each experiment includes an introduction, a list of materials, step-by-step directions, and a discussion of the outcome. Related information appears in sidebars. Small color photographs illustrate the text in a useful and attractive manner, but the accompanying ink-and-wash drawings look a bit juvenile for the book's audience. A practical and informative book of science experiments. Carolyn Phelan