Energy Recommended Reading

The following is a list of recommended books, and videos that provide a wide range of reading and research resources for this unit. Collect as many as you can for your classroom science library, or provide the list to your school librarian.

Books on Energy and Energy-Related Topics

The list below includes recommendations for books that introduce energy and issues related to energy.

All About the Industrial Revolution

By Peter Hepplewhite. (2003, Hodder & Stoughton)

This age-appropriate book covers many aspects of the Industrial Revolution including the factory system, education in factories and schools, the growth of industrial towns, and the effects of the industrial revolution on the world.

Amish Children

By Phyllis Pellman Good and Jerry Irwin. (2002, Good Books)

This book shows students how different their lives are from that of Amish children, who grow up without television, telephones, or computers.

Amish Home

By Raymond Bail. (1995, Houghton Mifflin Co.)

Through colorful photographs, students gain insights into Amish life, a way of life reminiscent of the way people lived in the 19 th century.

Conductors and Insulators

By Angela Royston. (2003, Heinemann Library)

This book for early elementary readers provides an introduction to conductors and insulators.

Earth, Water, Fire and Air: Playful Explorations in the Four Elements

By Walter Kraul. (1995, Sagebrush Education Resources)

This gem of a book includes instructions for making a waterwheel, paddle-steamer, propeller plane, windmill, hot-air balloon and lots more. It may be tough to find, but the search is well worth it!

Energy From the Sun

By Allan Fowler. (1998, Children’s Press)

This book for early elementary readers examines how energy from the sun provides us with light, heat, food, and other things necessary for life on Earth.

Energy Makes Things Happen

By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Paul Meisel. (2002, Harper Trophy)

This book for early elementary readers uses familiar examples and a clear focus to introduce forms of energy.

Energy: Simple Experiments for Young Scientists

By Larry White; illustrated by Laurie Hamilton. (1996, Milbrook Press Trade)

This grade-appropriate book provides students with experiments they can perform using everyday materials.

Exploring Energy With Toys—Complete Lessons for Grades 4-8

By Beverly A.P. Taylor and Terrific Science Press. (1998, McGraw-Hill Trade)

This out-of-print book, funded by the National Science Foundation, uses toys to make learning about energy fun.

Full of Energy

By Sally Hewitt. (1998, Scholastic Library Publishing)

This book for early elementary readers introduces the concept of energy as found in food, the sun, wind, water, and other sources.

How Do We Know Energy Exists?

By Terry Jennings and Ronnie C. Tyler. (2000, Raintree Steck-Vaughn)

This age-appropriate book explores energy and provides students with insights into ways they can tell that energy exists in the world around them. Although this book is out of print, you may be able to find it in your local library.

Is the Temperature Rising? The Uncertain Science of Global Warming

By S. George Philander. (2000, Princeton University Press)

This reference book for teachers provides nice background information on the debate over global warming.

Light Bulb

By Marc Tyler Nobleman and Hal Wallace. (2003, Capstone Press)

This book explains the history of the light bulb, how it works, and the various types of light bulbs used today.

Pass the Energy, Please! (Sharing Nature with Children Book)

By Barbara Shaw McKinney; illustrated by Chad Wallace. (2000, Dawn Publications)

Presented in poetic text, this book shows how organisms “pass energy” through an ecosystem.

Really Hot Science Projects with Temperature: How Hot Is It? How Cold Is It?

By Robert Gardner. (2003, Enslow Publishers, Inc.)

This book provides students with a variety of ways to measure the transfer of heat energy in the world around them.

Rising Temperatures of the Past and Future

By Karen Donnelly. (2003, Rosen Publishing Group)

This book describes the causes of global warming, as well as information about El Nino, volcanoes, how global warming may affect wildlife and plants, and why temperature change matters.

Temperature

By Joy Frisch. (2003, Smart Apple Media)

This book introduces temperature and how it is measured. It also addresses future environmental concerns such as global warming.

Temperature: Heating Up and Cooling Down

By Darlene Stille and Sheree Boyd. (2004, Picture Window Books)

This book provides students with an understanding of how a blanket keeps them warm.

The Gift to Be Simple: Life in the Amish Country

By Bill Coleman. (2001, Chronicle Books)

This book takes students on a visual journey through the Pennsylvania Amish valley, a region largely untouched by tourists and the amenities of modern existence.

The Nature and Science of Energy

By Jane Burton and Kim Taylor. (1998, Gareth Stevens)

This book for upper elementary and middle school readers describes different kinds of energy, explores some properties of energy and gives information about some of the different forms of energy.

The Wind at Work: An Activity Guide to Windmills

By Gretchen Woelfle. (1997, Chicago Review Press)

Focusing on the use of wind as a source of power, this age-appropriate book provides wonderful historical accounts of ancient windmills as well as information about the modern wind turbine.

Windmills

By Laura Brooks. (2003, Metro Books)

A beautiful compilation of dramatic and intriguing views of windmills. Students can explore a windmill’s form, function, and style through diagrams and photographs.

Scientists and Inventors

The list below includes recommendations for books and videos for children to use as they study scientists and inventors.

100 Scientists Who Shaped World History

By John Hudson Tiner. (2000, Bluewood Books)

This book for young adult readers showcases great men and women of science who significantly contributed to our understanding of the physical world around us.

Inventors and Inventions (Grades 4-8)

By Lorraine Hopping Egan. (1999, Scholastic Professional Books)

This book provides students with activities to help them explore the history of inventors and inventions and develop scientific problem-solving skills.

Isaac Newton: The Greatest Scientist of All Time (Great Minds of Science)

By Margaret J. Anderson. (2001, Enslow Publishers, Inc.)

Offering details about Newton’s childhood and life, this age-appropriate book highlights his dedication to science and mathematics.

Janice VanCleave’s Scientists Through the Ages

By Janice VanCleave . (2003, John Wiley & Sons)

This book profiles the lives and work of more than 25 important thinkers in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics. Includes short biographies of the scientists, descriptions of their contributions to science, and simple experiments that reveal some of their most important discoveries.

Michael Faraday (Scientists Who Made History)

By Stewart Ross. (2003, Raintree/SteckVaughn)

This age-appropriate book provides students with a glimpse into the life of Michael Faraday, the 19 th century scientist whose discoveries led to the invention of the electric generator.

The New York Public Library Amazing Scientists: A Book of Answers for Kids

By The New York Public Library and Jim Callan. (2001, John Wiley & Sons)

Fact-filled and fun, this book’s question-and-answer format lets children explore the discoveries of some of the world’s greatest scientists.

The Way Things Go

Produced by First Run Features; directed by Peter Fischli. (Released 2002)

Available in both DVD and VHS format, this 30-minute feature shows a variety of energy transfers in a chain reaction-like format including lightning and things dropping and rolling. A great enrichment film to support Lesson 9.

Thomas Alva Edison: Inventor and Entrepreneur (Great Life Stories: Inventors and Scientists)

By Claire Price-Groff. (2003, Franklin Watts, Inc.)

This age-appropriate book provides a biography of Thomas Edison.

Thomas Alva Edison: The King of Inventors (Scientists & Inventors Series)

By David C. King. (1997, Discovery Enterprises Ltd.)

In this book, students can read parts of Thomas Edison’s own journal and lab notes, as well as perusing photos and critiques from his day.

Who’s Who in Science and Technology: A Guide to Famous Scientists

By Bob Fowke. (2000, Hodder & Stoughton Children’s Division)

This guide describes 300 of the most famous and fascinating scientists and inventors from Ancient Greece to the 20 th century.

Inventions

The books listed below offer information on inventions.

Chain Reaction: Rube Goldberg and Contemporary Art

By Ian Berry. (2001, Distributed Art Publishers)

This book depicts how contemporary artists have used the ideas of Rube Goldberg in their depictions of mechanical devices and functions.

Mistakes that Worked

By Charlotte Foltz Jones & John O’Brien. (1994, Doubleday Books for Young Readers)

This book highlights inventions made by mistake including Silly Putty, trouser cuffs, popsicles, and insulin. An excellent book to have in the Science Center.

Put a Fan in Your Hat!: Inventions, Contraptions, and Gadgets Kids can Build

By Robert Carrow. (1997, Learning Triangle Press)

This out-of-print book encourages and fosters the spirit of invention by describing how to build a homemade motor, a hat with a fan in it, and a motorized shoe buffer.

Rube Goldberg: Inventions!

By Maynard Frank Wolfe. (2000, Simon & Schuster)

A collection of Goldberg’s inventions, comic strips, editorial cartoons, and sketches, as well as a biography of Goldberg, are presented in this book.

Samuel Todd’s Book of Great Inventions

By E.L. Konigsburg. (1991, Atheneum)

This book for early elementary readers shows inventions that makes Samuel Todd’s day easier, such as Velcro®, a thermos bottle, training wheels, and mittens.

The Kid’s Invention Book

By Arlene Erlbach. (1999, Lerner Publications Company)

Profiles eleven inventors between the ages of eight and fourteen, describes the steps involved in inventing a new product, and discusses contests, patents, lawyers, and clubs.

Totally Absurd Inventions

By Ted VanCleave. (2001, Andrews McMeel Publishing)

Offers over 100 of the funniest patents ever made. Students will be amused as they read about the Diaper Alarm and the dog lover’s Ear Tubes.

Turn on the Lights—From Bed!: Inventions, Contraptions, and Gadgets Kids can Build