Juliana Texley is the field editor of NSTA’s webpage and lead reviewer for NSTA Recommends. y June, most teachers are more than ready to leave the classroom routine, but they are seldom able to leave their love of science behind. They travel, explore, and read, so that they can return From past to future, catch a ride on Hubble to get the best view. You’ve seen the spectacular snapshots, heard the highly-charged political debate. But do you know the back- ground and technology that makes our new view of the uni- verse possible? Highlights from the Hubble Telescope: Postcards from Space (Melanie Chrismer, Enslow, 2003) provides a ba- sic background into the mechanics of the project. Robin Kerrod’s Hubble: Window on the Universe (Firefly, 2003) in- cludes more than 300 gorgeous Hubble images with a well- written, understandable text that will explain difficult con- cepts such as the birth and death of stars, the formation of galaxies and solar systems, and the expansion of the uni- verse. With this background you’ll be able to participate in the national debate that is coming in the next few months about Hubble’s future. And don’t be afraid of Killer Rocks from Outer Space (Lerner, 2003). Steven M. Koppes’s award-winning book takes an in- depth look at the mystery of meteors, com- ets, and asteroids and their impact on Earth’s history—and provides just enough background on the mysterious Oort cloud to prepare teachers for the inevitable questions about Sedna that their students will bring to school in September. A touch of class Some books for young people are so unique and inspiring that they truly merit the designation “For All Ages.” Just for pleasure or planning to share, teachers will enjoy the innovative text and graphics of these award- winning books for students. Into the Woods is a book that reflects both the artistry and spirit of John James Audubon. (Robert Burleigh, Atheniium, 2003). Accom- panying stunning Audubon-inspired art are two distinct tracts of text; a simulated letter from Audubon to his family, explaining why he is compelled to study nature, and excerpts from the naturalist’s own journals. Lyrical poetry allows the reader to glimpse the natural world through Audubon’s eyes. The Case of the Monkeys That Fell from the Trees is a fascinating collection of stories about scientific forensics—ecological mysteries from deadly frogs to, yes, falling monkeys. The au- thor succeeds in conveying the scientists’ own thought processes as they solve these problems. For teachers whose “Walter Mitty” dreams in- clude exciting research in exotic places, this B in the fall better prepared to share science with students. It’s summertime, and professional development (in the spirit of the National Standards) is easy. Through reading, a teacher can spend valuable hours updating content back- ground and methods, or simply refreshing the spirit. NSTA Recommends, the association’s premier review system for science education, keeps in touch with the books that have the potential to enrich and inspire. So if your summer plans include some stimulating read- ing, join the club. Put your feet up, place a cold drink close at hand, and join us for this summer’s NSTA Reading Club. When you’ve made your choices, log on to the NSTA website for casual conversation. We’ll share our best reads and deep- est thoughts, as we stock up on R & R. Readin’, ‘Ritin, and the ‘Rithmetic of the stars Everything you always needed to know about science—but perhaps, were afraid to ask—is at hand in the latest books for both students and teachers. No matter how recently (or long ago) you left formal education, new discoveries are bound to have changed your field. Here are several content updates that won’t slow your tan. NSTA’s Stop Faking It: Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It books have fallen into the category of guilty plea- sures for thousands of science teachers. Author William C. Robertson has a knack for explaining physical sci- ence concepts more clearly than your undergrad profs could ever have hoped, in a light and read- able way that will leave you feeling far more con- fident. (Choose from Energy, Force and Motion, and Light from NSTA Press in Arlington, Virginia.) Biologists have been forced to re-examine almost everything their textbooks have taught about cells and genetics in the past few years. Richard Walker’s Genes and DNA (Kingfisher, 2003) earned a CBC/NSTA Award this year for its clear and current explanations for secondary students. Teachers can gain, too, from this easy review. For a deeper look at the way DNA has totally changed our taxonomy of life, life sci- ence teachers will enjoy Life on a Young Planet: The First Three Billion Years of Evolution on Earth (Andrew H. Knoll, Princeton University Press, 2003). You’ll get a new appreciation of the do- main Archaea that ruled the planet for some two billion years and still comprise the bulk of Earth’s biomass today. P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T 13 Summer 2004 science scope ILLUSTRATION BY LINDA OLLIVER