Book Reviews by Genre: Nonfiction

Shark
MacQuitty, Miranda
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

In her book about sharks, Ms Macquitty teachers readers all about the fascinating salt-water creatures. The book is well done for young ages, with plenty of interesting facts. There are also many pictures to illustrate her points. Well researched and informative, this book is sure to engage young readers.
I would recommend this book to any young readers from 5 through Elementary school. Any children fascinated with sharks and wishing to learn more will be pleased by this read.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D
Ask A Science Teacher
Scheckel, Larry
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

In his book "Ask a Science Teacher", Larry Scheckel lists 250 science questions and answers them all in detail for readers. Each series of questions is divided under sections. For example, there is a section about Sound and Music and a section about Chemistry. He spans a broad range of scientific topics, from biology in the question "How many cells are in the body?" to history of science in question "Did Issac Newton develop calculus?" Mr. Scheckel answers the questions thoroughly with interesting detail. He engages readers. I would recommend this book to anyone with science interests and questions. This book is appropriate for ages high school and up.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D
The Tapping Solution
Ortner, Jessica
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

In her book “The Tapping Solution For Weight Loss and Body Confidence”, Jessica Ortner guides readers through a step-by-step process for not only losing weight but also for increasing self-compassion and thus increasing self-confidence and self-esteem. Tapping, also known as EFT (emotional freedom technique), is a method of lowering cortisol levels in the body. By tapping on specific meridian acupressure points on the face, neck, and underarms while describing the issue or stressor, it has been scientifically proven that the brain re-wires and cortisol reduces. In her book, Ms Ortner not only teaches readers how to tap in order to aid weight loss, since low cortisol levels have been linked with greater weight-loss success. She also helps readers to learn how to be more self-compassionate in their weight-loss journey, thus decreasing stress and increasing self-confidence.
I enjoyed this book for its positive message to women to be confident in who they are at this and every moment of life, even within the challenges we face. I would recommend this book to readers from ages 16 and up, especially young women or women looking to increase their self-compassion.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D
The Sun and Her Flowers
Kaur, Rupi
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

The Sun and Her Flowers is a book filled with relatable poetry. The poems are mainly focused towards a female audience, and bring to light the realities and harshness of life. The book has three parts that are based on the flowers, blooming, withering, and rebirth. The poems follow those specific categories with happy, sad, and hopeful poems centered around it. The poems are also centered around heartbreak and love, some of the poems share lovely scenes of first dates; where others are tragically centered around heartbreak. Poems of heartbreak talk of crushes not sharing love for the other, and relationships that took a turn. The poems are easily relatable to teenagers and the daily struggle of their lives. I gave this book a high rating because it not only made me laugh and smile but it also moved me to tears several times throughout, the poetry is touching on an outstanding level.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name: Madison S
Ask a Science Teacher: 250 Answers to Questions You've Always Had About How Everyday Stuff Really Works
Scheckel, Larry
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

In his book "Ask a Science Teacher", Larry Scheckel lists 250 science questions and answers them all in detail for readers. Each series of questions is divided under sections. For example, there is a section about Sound and Music and a section about Chemistry. He spans a broad range of scientific topics, from biology in the question "How many cells are in the body?" to history of science in question "Did Issac Newton develop calculus?" Mr. Scheckel answers the questions thoroughly with interesting detail. He engages readers.

I would recommend this book to anyone with science interests and questions. This book is appropriate for ages high school and up.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D.
Into Thin Air
Krakauer, Jon
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Into Thin Air is a narrative story of the author and climber, Jon Krakauer.
He establishes that ever since he was a kid, climbing Mt. Everest was his dream. He later accomplishes his ambition down the line, but with more consequences than anything rewarding.

Into Thin Air uses a consistent tone of language to identify whether the situation represents relief or tension. This gathers more intensity for those who are interested in thrillers and adventurous stories. The narrative offers a variety of twists and turns throughout the plot in order to continue the use of curiosity and unpredictability of the end. The story is very interesting, and builds upon every single detail, from the start until the end of the book.

Reviewer Grade: 11

Reviewer's Name: Nam T
Thank and Grow Rich
Grout, Pam
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

In her book 'Thank and Grow Rich', Pam Grout introduces readers to the benefits of practicing gratitude. While practicing gratitude does not, as Mrs. Grout states, make readers physically rich, the scientific benefits are vast. Outlining these benefits of increased health, greater happiness, and thus a more fulfilling life, Mrs. Grout encourages readers to join in the practice of gratitude.

This is a lovely book celebrating the practice of giving thanks. Filled with experiments and applications of gratitude, this book is very user-friendly. I would recommend this book to readers looking to improve their positive-thinking and gratitude habits. Ages 14 and up are appropriate for reading.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D
Barking up the Wrong Tree
Barker, Eric
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

In his book Barking Up the Wrong Tree, Eric Barker explains secrets to success in many areas of life. Using the latest in scientific research, he explains how to "find work-life balance using the strategy of Genghis Khan, the errors of Albert Einstein, and a little lesson from Spider-Man", how to lower stress and increase self love, and move through life more happily

Among other lessons, Mr. Barker teachers readers why most of what they previously believed about success is "wrong". Then he goes on to explain how they can improve themselves and their lives through lessons provided by unlikely - but entertaining - sources.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking to improve success in their lives. It is an excellent, helpful, and humorous read that will be good for any age range 16 and above.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way
Hakim, Joy
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

In her three book series, the Story of Science, author Joy Hakim introduces readers to the fundamental concepts within science and its history. Through creative narration, Mrs. Hakim captivates readers and makes learning interesting. By introducing the basic concepts of science through the eyes of a number of famous scientists, she helps learners to comprehend the scientific concepts while also enjoying the experience of reading.
Mrs. Hakim is a wonderful author. Her books convey a good knowledge of the subject with creativity in presentation. I would recommend this book to readers ready to learn an overview of science and its history.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D
Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science Behind Them
Watson, Galadriel
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Read this book to learn about the science behind a variety of amazing feats! Do you want to learn about super strength? What about speed demons? These abilities and many more, and showcased and explained in this book. You’ll be astounded and learn something too. You can also test your abilities on some of these feats.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Experiments with Movement
Claybourne, Anna
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

Check out the amazing experiments in Experiments with Movement by Anna Claybourne. You’ll learn to use everyday materials to make things fly and zoom! You’ll learn the basics of how things move, the basics of vehicle transportation. You’ll also be environmentally friendly as you reuse and recycle materials. Will you make a balloon-powered car, an air-powered rocket, or maybe an air blaster? Check out this book and get started!

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Becoming
Obama, Michelle
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

The book is compelling and Michelle is a very interesting read. It's refreshingly honest and shows their true struggles. And I can relate to how she feels about politics. Michelle is grounded and illuminating giving the book a lot of value.

Reviewer's Name: Cheryl T.
Venomous
Wilcox, Christie
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Explore the effects of many venoms and venomous animals from across the world and their interactions with humans from the stunningly potent bullet ant to the awesomely efficient komodo dragon in this nonfiction exploration of various creatures' venoms. The author does a commendable job of portraying dangerously venomous animals in ways to give them well earned respect andf fear, rather than just fear mongering. The book follows some of the author's experiences and the experiences of others to accurately show how the animals behave and how their venoms act in a personable method. The author also describes how the different venoms work in a scientific approach with her personal experiences with stings, providing multiple perspectives on the effects of certain venoms. Overall, I enjoyed how the author provided multiple perspectives of different animals and how she showed how dangerous some animals are while instilling respect for said animals. I would recommend this to anyone who has attended college level biology courses who want to study the venoms of certain animals due to the use of more advanced terminology.

Reviewer's Name: Gabriel P
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
Rovelli, Carlo
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

This book is an informative and very useful guide to several aspects of physics, ranging from relativity to the various theories surrounding the very fabric of our universe. Anyone reading this should, however, have some background information to basic physics as this book covers some basics surrounding more complex concepts of physics such as quanta and time. The author simplifies the concepts down and organizes them into seven lessons that become progressively more complex or confusing so I would suggest any potential readers to not skip around the book. I rather enjoy the progression of the book and how the author made the complex theories understandable to the average person who is interested in the more confusing concepts of physics. I would recomend this to anyone who wants to understand more about physics and get an small taste of the most complex ideas of physics.

Reviewer's Grade: 11

Reviewer's Name: Gabriel P
My Journey to the Stars
Kelly, Scott
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

This Biography Reader tells us the story of Scott Kelly, one of the two brothers that have flown in space for NASA. He tells stories of growing up and how problems and experiences in his youth prepared him for his travels into space. He tells us about his year at the International Space Station including how he lived and the work he did. Be prepared to be inspired to reach for your own dreams!

Reviewer's Name: Carol
The Cozy Life
Edberg, Pia
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

It's so easy to get caught up in daily life and, in my case, neuroses. The Danish concept of hygge offers a way to enjoy the simple things by making an change to coziness. It's a conscious change and can be applied to all walks of life. Now I find myself asking if something is hygge throughout the day. I plan to use some of the suggestions, such as keeping a clean, cozy house, thinking more positive, and restarting my gratitude journal. Good book.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
The Honeymoon Effect
Lipton, Bruce H.
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

In his book The Honeymoon Effect, Dr. Bruce Lipton speaks about the cellular effects of love. He teaches readers that what the brain interprets as being in love, or loving someone very deeply, causes a cascade effect of enhanced cellular healing, release of a higher level of positive chemicals throughout the body, and a notable increase in general well-being of the body, mind, and spirit. After reviewing the science behind the emotion of love and its effects, Dr. Lipton teaches readers how to create more love in their lives. Thus, he makes the case that they can create happier, healthier lives for themselves and those they care about through fostering this important emotion.
I enjoyed this book for its sensible science, interesting premise, and useable teachings. I would recommend this book to readers age 16 and up who wish to gain a greater understanding of the science of the emotion of love.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D
EFT
Evans, Janet
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

In her book EFT, Janet Evans describes one of science's biggest breakthroughs in stress-relief: the Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. EFT is a method of processing and releasing emotions which combines the latest in modern psychology with Eastern acupressure points. Research has shown that by describing what one's emotions are, or the problem being experienced and how it makes one feel, while tapping on a series of acupressure points, the cortisol response in the body is significantly reduced.
After describing what EFT is and how to do this stress-relief technique, Ms. Evans provides readers with a list of 10 experiments to try in stress-relief to prove that, as she says, "Your mind creates your life." This book is interactive, with the experiment portions comprising most of the book. After a brief introduction to each challenge by giving the scientific backing for it, Ms. Evans invites readers to try for themselves and see how their mind helps them create, or re-create, their life.
I enjoyed this book. Ms. Evans's writing style is concise, clear, and her EFT experiments are enjoyable as well as helpful. This book is useful for all ages, as stress-relief is important for everyone.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D
E2
Grout, Pam
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

E2 is a book about the fusion of the common wisdom of positive thinking with modern-day science. The premise Mrs. Grout lays out for readers begins with her book's prologue, Albert Einstein's famous theorem e = mc2 (energy = mass* the speed of light)(squared). In her book, Mrs. Grout presents the scientific energetic evidence for why actions such as positive thought so incredibly shape people's lives. By teaching readers how easy it is to influence the energies around them thorough positive thought and belief, she shows how to change one's life for the better.

I enjoyed this book very much, because it is so inspirational and helpful in creating a more positive life. I would recommend this book to any reader looking to influence their life positively. The age range appropriate would be from 15 to any adult age.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D
The Tapping Solution
Ortner, Nick
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

In his book "The Tapping Solution", Nick Ortner introduces readers to a valuable tool for, as he says, "stress-free living". While unfortunately, no life is free from stress, the Tapping Solution (or EFT) is a method in which modern psychology is combined with eastern acupressure points on the face, chest, underarms, and hand to release stress when tapped upon them. Why does this method work? Multiple studies have shown that one of the greatest benefits of acupuncture and acupressure is cortisol reduction in the body (the stress hormone). When tapping these EFT points while saying aloud the emotion one is experiencing, the cortisol has been shown to significantly drop in the body.
This has multiple applications, as Mr. Ortner goes on to explain, including aid with anxiety relief, stress relief, and even help for those days that don't go right. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to reduce the stress in their life and re-wire their brain.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D