All summer, I’ve been sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that will interest them or offer them something new to learn about. Most of the time, these were nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too.
If you missed any of these posts, I hope you will look back through the list in the link below. There were books from some of my favorite publishers like Feeding Minds Press, Chronicle Kids, Twirl, Templar Books, Candlewick Press, and others as well as books on all kinds of topics kids love to read and learn about. Thanks for joining me in this series this summer and enjoy my last Summer Read-to-Learn book of the season.
To see all the books in the Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.
THE NEXT SCIENTIST
The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of the World’s Great Scientists
By: Kate Messner
Illustrated by: Julia Kuo
Published: August 27, 2024
Publisher: Chronicle Kids
Non-Fiction
What did you dream about being as a child? A teacher? A police officer? A nurse? All the teachers, police officers, and nurses out in the world now, can’t work forever. We need to build up and encourage the kids of today to take on these roles. The kids I’m teaching in school today might someday be the nurse who delivers my grandchild or cares for me when I’m ill. Just like today’s scientists are out there working to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, tomorrow’s scientists are already out in the world. Some are exploring, some are trying to find solutions to problems, while others don’t even know what their next great discovery will be.
Kids will be interested in reading about and learning about certain famous scientists and what they were like as kids. Isaac Newton built kites to fly and a sundial to keep track of the time when he was a boy. Then he became famous for discovering how gravity works. Grace Hopper took apart clocks to see how clocks worked and then put them back together as a child. As an adult, Grace became a pioneer in computer coding, helping to invent the computer language called COBOL.
In the book, kids will find short paragraphs about famous scientists and what they did as a child on one page, then the next page reveals them as an adults and what they did to contribute to science. The paragraph also includes the years they were born and died if applicable. For example, Grace Hopper was born in 1906 and lived until 1992. She was a scientist at a time when women were often not allowed to be scientists.
Not all skills and interests as a child naturally lead to science. Stephanie Kwolek expected that she would grow up to be a fashion designer but instead, she became a chemist and invented Kevlar, the super-strong fiber in bulletproof vests. Another man, Michael DeBakey loved to sew his own shirts. That steady hand led him to be a surgeon.
Kids will find names they recognize in this book like Temple Grandin, Sally Ride, and Jane Goodall along with other more unfamiliar names like Karletta Chief, Clyde Tombaugh, and James West. Learning about these accomplished scientists and their childhoods will inspire kids to read, make discoveries, expand their learning, and explore while they are just being kids. Reading, playing sports, listening to music, and being creative are all ways to explore their interests and talents and start building a future of accomplished adults in our society.
I loved the book recommendations on the inside of the back cover by some of the scientists mentioned in the book. Books like BALLET SHOES, ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, PETER PAN, and the NANCY DREW series were some of the favorite books mentioned.
Kate Messner is an award-winning author of over 50 books for young readers. Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time outside–cross-country skiing, hiking, swimming, and digging in her garden. Check out her website, HERE. See other books I’ve shared by Kate Messner, HERE.
Julia Kuo is an author and illustrator. She also enjoys making editorial illustrations, which have appeared in many publications. Check out her website, HERE.
To purchase a copy of THE NEXT SCIENTIST, click HERE.
You might also like Messner’s book THE NEXT PRESIDENT which has a similar theme.
Other books about scientists you might like:
Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Check out my review policy, HERE.
Posted Under biography, Book Review, Children's books, Julia Kuo, Kate Messner, non-fiction, science, Summer Read-to-Learn