Chemical World: Science in Our Daily Lives

by Rowena Rae

Overview

Despite people using both natural and synthetic chemicals with (mainly) good intentions, some chemicals have had unintended negative consequences.

Chemical residues have contaminated ecosystems the world over and are compromising the health of many ecosystems, animals and humans. The goal of Chemical World: Science in our Daily Lives is to introduce readers to basic chemistry and chemical history, and to show how chemicals are used for particular reasons but sometimes turn out to be harmful to environmental and human health. It invites readers to take a look at the world around them and ask questions about what’s in their environment and how the things they use and eat every day can affect their own health and the planet’s health.

Chemical World: Science in Our Daily Lives explores some of the materials—all of which are made of basic chemical elements—that humans use or come into contact with in their day-to-day lives. Some of these chemicals are naturally occurring—clay, mercury, lead. Others have been synthesized by chemists during the past 150 years and used in a bewildering array of products ranging from roof shingles to toothpaste. Many chemical inventions, as well as naturally produced chemicals, have had profound effects on food supply, developing medicines and creating hosts of useful items for modern life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459821590
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	04/07/2020
Series:	Orca Footprints Series , #17
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
Lexile:	1000L (what's this?)
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Rowena Rae worked as a biologist in Canada and New Zealand before becoming a freelance writer and editor and a children’s author. She writes both fiction and nonfiction from her home in Victoria, British Columbia, which she shares with her two book-loving children.

Editorial Reviews

Leads the reader logically through the facts about chemicals as they impact everyday life...Grabs your attention firmly on the first page and ensures it won’t waver throughout. Highly Recommended.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

An important book to help children understand and protect their world.

Booklist

Clearly well researched, the text presents organic/inorganic and natural/synthetic issues in a balanced, factual manner...For those readers interested in the subject, and in the environment and activism, it will prove very helpful.

School Library Connection

04/01/2020

Gr 4–7—This next installment in the "Orca Footprints" series discusses environmental themes at a level appropriate for middle grade readers. The text examines chemicals, both natural and manufactured, and the greater impact they can have on the planet. The author also presents some history, mostly on chemicals that were declared harmful, like DDT (originally developed as an insecticide), radium paint on watches, and mercury in hats. At less than 50 pages, this easy text is accessible for young readers. Chapters are broken down into bite-sized tidbits, and small boxes on the edges of pages provide personal stories from the author and real-life applications of the abstract science. The entire book is in full color with beautiful illustrations. A glossary and a further resources section are included. Rae does a fair job of making children aware of problems and issues without coming off as too apocalyptic and depressing. The text mentions how young readers can make an impact and suggests changes students can implement in their own lives to make a difference. However, kids are unlikely to use this as pleasure reading without some prompting. It will be most helpful in a science class covering a unit on the environment, or a social studies class conducting a unit on contemporary issues. VERDICT An easy and condensed scientific look at chemicals and their interactions with the natural world. While not something children are likely to read on their own, the book would do well in a middle school classroom.—Sara Kundrik, Gilbert Paterson Middle School, Alta.

School Library Journal

2020-01-12
Simple explanations of what chemicals are and why some (but not all) deserve a bad rap.

Starting out with the observation that "everything on our planet is made of chemicals," Rae first looks at her own morning routine. She invites readers to wonder along with her what all those ingredients in her shampoo and toothpaste are as well what the environmental costs of growing and processing her breakfast food, or throwing away that teabag and milk container, might be. She then goes on to explain some differences between natural and synthetic chemicals, with special references to plastic and DDT, and to trace the course of contaminants up the food chain. She briefly mentions disasters such as the Love Canal and Bhopal, along with more-insidious dangers like lead poisoning, before closing on a relatively upbeat note with general advice about "greener" practices and attitudes. Though her presentation is simple enough that the only formulas in sight are decorative elements in the margins, she does define significant terms like "chemical reaction" and also gives young eco-activists a leg up on the uses and dangers of classes of chemicals from parabens to PCBs. Family groups and smiling children of diverse nationality and ethnicity feature prominently in the cramped but colorful photos along with glimpses of idyllic natural scenes and wildlife.

This consciousness-raiser downplays the more frightening prospects in favor of a mildly cautionary message. (glossary, index, resources) (Nonfiction. 8-10)

Kirkus Reviews