Science Books to Help Your Kids Avoid Summer Brain Drain

Ahh, summer. Warm breezes, cool ice cream, the gentle whine of mosquitoes. And the not so gentle whine of bored, out-of-school children. For summer vacation, AAAS offers a reading list of 10 science books for children ages 10-14, or grades 4-8.

Heather Malcomson, editor of AAAS's Science Books & Films magazine, composed the list based on her experience reviewing science books for the magazine.

"If you are trying to keep your kids' minds from turning to mush this summer, bring home a few science books from the library," Malcomson said. "A good science book will certainly capture children's interest with true life stories and interesting photographs."

The books include stories on bioluminescent creatures, excavations from colonial-era settlements, and women who trained for space flight. Malcomson's list also includes activity books, such as a bird watching guide and a book containing tips on how to be "green."

"With real-world applications and hands-on activities, science books can interest all kids, even those who are not avid readers," Malcomson said.

The science books are available through online book vendors, including Amazon.com, and most of them cost less than $20. Read the full story.