can anyone recommend some popular science books for my DD (yr 9)?

9 replies

notapushy1 · 04/02/2010 00:10

My DD's science teacher has written in her report that she is very able and that the only recommendation she can give is for her to read some science books( ie not textbooks).
DD doesn't like the style of the popular & affordable "Horrible " series and I'm really at a loss as to what to get for her. Any suggestions gratefully received!

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hbfac · 04/02/2010 00:13

There's a book about penguins and cold feet ... would that be the sort of thing?

How old is she?

What about nipping into a Waterstones and looking in their popular science section?

didn't Bill Bryson write a very funny popular science book a while back?

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 04/02/2010 00:32

Bill bryson's history of nearly everything is good, charles darwin's origin of the species, science: A history

BitOfFun · 04/02/2010 01:00

Is Ben Goldacre's Bad Science too old for her? Is she a good reader?

roisin · 04/02/2010 15:56

BBC Focus Magazine is brilliant for all the latest, cutting-edge stuff, but presented in a very accessible manner.

I will come back to this later and recommend a couple of books, but I'm dashing now.

catinthehat2 · 04/02/2010 16:32

HAve her poke around in the non fiction section of the library as well - see what subjects grab her.

bruffin · 04/02/2010 16:37

Flipside Magazine is a fun science/technology based magazine aimed at teenagers.

TheFirstLady · 04/02/2010 21:49

I love the look of Flipside, Bruffin. I might get DD1 a subscription.

WhereChaosTheoryRules · 04/02/2010 21:59

gunpowder - tis about history of gunpowder but science bits thrown in. The scientist in me is enjoying the science but the stressed mummy in me is enjoying the history and development of gunpowder from the use by chinese for fireworks to being used for explosives. There is another one about the discovery about DNA by watson and crick that is a good read not sure about the author and too tired to be arsed to turn light back on to look. will check tomo.

Original poster

notapushy1 · 04/02/2010 22:17

Thank you for these useful ideas. I do enjoy reading Goldacre's Guardian column, but I'm not sure if his book is quite the thing: we'll take a look down @ Waterstones and see what DD(14)thinks. The Bryson sounds promising and Flipside & Focus definitely worth a look. Do keep the suggestions coming,please!

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Flip