Recommendation of Science books

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DS is 9 and likes reading, he also likes Maths and Sciences. He has read Murderous Maths and Horrible Science series.

Recently he is asking questions like: will a particle bounce back if crashed with another particle? Does light particle always travel at the same speed? What's the 4th dimension?

I could not answer such questions. I wonder if anyone can give me an advise on what sort of book that he can read so that he can find the answers himself?

Thanks in advance.

While we're on the subject, any suggestions for an accessible book on geology? Not looking for a kids' book, but it needs not to be an impenetrably dense university level text book. It's for a 12 year old who reads a lot of science.

I loved this book, but it is very much a journey through the landscape, so perhaps not what you are after.

As light reading has he read the books by Stephen and Lucy hawking? Science mixed in with fiction? Also, ds has read brief history and loved it, so maybe try that?

Thanks samson - it might be a bit UK-centric to appeal to my DS but I bet my DH would like it. We have some Richard Fortey books at home, including Earth: an intimate history, but they are rather dense and literary for a 12 year old.

I have ordered "introducing geology: a guide to the world of rocks" from Amazon, well reviewed and (from the preview) not totally inaccessible. It is definitely difficult to find science books pitched right for the knowledgeable younger reader. DVDs might be an alternative - I have ordered my DS the BBC series "the rise of the continents" and I imagine Brian Cox would go down well with a science minded pre-teen?

OP, perhaps for a bit later, but some of the Simon Singh books are fairly accessible - the code breaking ones especially. Also for those interested in life sciences, Ben Goldacre's Bad Science is an easy read - much enjoyed by my 13 year old but probably not quite what you're looking for at 9.

It's not books, but did you know that a whole load of Royal institution Christmas lectures are available from their website? I'd expect a science minded boy to be thrilled by those and if you pick the right ones they should answer his questions. www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/watch

What about magazines? whenever I'm in the UK I pick up a copy of "How it works" for DS and it's pitched at about the right level for an interested preteen.

Dd loved "It's elementary" by Robert Winston at that age.

I will second the RI Christmas Lectures.

Khan Academy also has a science section now.

Just off at a tangent, there are some good BBC podcasts, Dd is now 11, and listens at night as it is more settling than TV. If you look in the science and nature section there are good programmes. They may be a little old for a 9 year old, but you could give them a listen through first to see if you think he would like them. "Elements" is really interesting and "The Infinite Monkey Cage" is fun.

The problem you have is the more he learns, the more he has to ask questions about.

Thank you everyone . I am not educated in UK so has limited knowledge about this. Your information is really valuable.

If he is into maths, try Alex's Adventures in Numberland

Marking place

For math you can try - "The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure"
and also Rob Eastway books e.g. "How Many Socks Make Pair" (they are technically for adults, but written in such a way that a math-minded child would also find them interesting).

For Science - have you tried Uncle Albert series by Russell Stannard - e.g. "Black Holes and Uncle Albert"

Bill Bryson short history of absolutely everything-fantastic and funny book about svience. And the new scientist ones full of readers questions.

DS is similar but a couple of years ahead (11). I'll remind myself what's on his bookshelf.

He loved this and this

We also have a few science "encylopedias" which don't go into too much depth but cover lots of subjects - this one I think.

Can't wait for him to get to secondary school and have a science teacher to ask.

By chance, I was looking at the Bill Bryson book at the weekend. It is very good, but it was written for adults.

I would give it to DS1 to read for enjoyment (he's almost 13) now, as he'd getting into the Bryson books at the moment. However, even though he is very able and likes these sort of things, I think he'd have found it challenging even as recently as a year ago. I'd be impressed to see a 9 year old enjoying it.

it's been a while since I read it and only have a four year old, so i may have underestimated it's difficulty somewhat!

Bought the Stephen and Lucy hawking book, DS said he likes it very much.

Will order the Bill Bryson book soon, just to make sure the book is there when he is ready to read it :-)