Ancient Earth Journal: The Late JurassicJuan Carlos Alonso, Gregory S. PaulTake a visual tour through the late Jurassic period of geologic time and explore, through beautiful illustrations, the diversity of dinosaurs that inhabited Earth approximately 150 million years ago.Winning TitlesView book detailsNSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 2017
The 2017 edition contains 57 selections published by the National Science Teaching Association. The source organizes the selections into Winning Titles. It is one annual edition of the NSTA science trade-book bibliography for students and educators. The selected trade books connect literacy with science subjects and were published during the preceding year.
2017 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12See the original list
Selections57
Published byNational Science Teaching Association
SectionsWinning Titles
Winning Titles
57 selections
Ancient Earth Journal: The Late JurassicJuan Carlos Alonso, Gregory S. PaulTake a visual tour through the late Jurassic period of geologic time and explore, through beautiful illustrations, the diversity of dinosaurs that inhabited Earth approximately 150 million years ago.Winning TitlesView book details
Animals by the NumbersSteve JenkinsInteresting infographics that compare features of various animals in appealing visuals.Winning TitlesView book details
Because of an AcornLola M, Adam Schaefer, illustrated by Frann Preston-GannonBeautifully illustrated story of interconnections in the forest ecosystem.Winning TitlesView book details
A Beetle is ShyDianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia LongThis intricately illustrated book showcases the fascinating world of beetles and is sure to spark the imagination of readers of all ages.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure NC1070LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
Best in SnowApril Pulley SayreDescriptive words, minimal text, and breathtaking photos tell the story of snowfall, snow melt, and the seeping of water into the Earth.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD260LATOS Book Level 2.1View book details
Bubonic PanicGail JarrowThis book combines gruesome photographs with a detailed description of this horrific disease. This is a riveting historical recount of this major breakout.Winning TitlesView book details
About Marine MammalsCatherine Sill, illustrated by John SillConcise text about marine mammals is supported by full-page illustrations depicting various species in their habitats.Winning TitlesView book details
Ada Lovelace, Poet of ScienceDiane Stanley, illustrated by Jessie HartlandThis is a beautifully illustrated story of a young girl born to the famous poet Lord Byron and mathematically minded Annabella who uses her talents to write the first computer program.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 810LATOS Book Level 5View book details
Ada’s IdeasFiona RobinsonAn inspirational story of Ada Lovelace who overcame struggles to pursue her interests in math and scienceWinning TitlesView book details
After A While CrocodileDr. Brady Barr, Jennifer Keats Curtis, illustrated by Susan DetwilerThrough her journal entries readers follow Alexa, a Costa Rican schoolgirl, as she cares for an American crocodile and then releases him to the wild.Winning TitlesView book details
Feathered DinosaursBrenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by William LowA diverse array of dinosaurs richly illustrated and showing feathers as a major evolutionary development, which gives evidence of the “connection between the feathered dinosaurs and modern birds.”Winning TitlesView book details
Florence NightingaleCatherine ReefAn informative biography of Florence Nightingale with a historical context recounting her struggles and contributions to society.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 1030LATOS Book Level 7View book details
Flying Frogs and Walking FishSteve Jenkins, Robin PageWalking, leaping, swimming, and other actions are explored to describe how animals move from place to place and survive by escaping predators and catching their own prey.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 900LATOS Book Level 4.7View book details
Giant SquidCandace Fleming, illustrated by Eric RohmannBeautifully illustrated book about the mysterious life of the elusive giant squid.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 990LATOS Book Level 3.2View book details
A Global Warming PrimerJeffrey BennettA straightforward and easy read concerning the impact of humans upon Earth’s climate through the use of a question and answer format that will assist the reader to better understand the “ The Science, The Consequences, and The Solutions” of a warming climate.Winning TitlesView book details
GlowW. H. BeckAn exploration of how living organisms utilize bioluminescence to survive within their environments.Winning TitlesView book details
Charles Darwin’s Around the World AdventureJennifer ThermesThe biographical path, scientific explorations, and discoveries that encompassed the life of Charles Darwin are detailed in this appropriately aged text and through engaging drawings.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD840LATOS Book Level 5.4View book details
Chasing at the SurfaceSharon MentykaA pod of stranded orcas is protected and saved by the determined effort of a girl, her friends and community, and scientists.Winning TitlesView book details
CircleMac BarnettJoin the bar-tailed godwits as they circle from their breeding grounds in the Arctic to Australia and New Zealand and back again in this beautifully illustrated story.Winning TitlesView book details
Cleared for TakeoffRowland WhiteAny reader interested in man’s pursuit of flight will be taken on the ride of a lifetime as all areas related to flight, whether it is technological, historical or related to human interest, are examined in this book.Winning TitlesView book details
Day of the DinosaursSteve Brusatte, illustrated by Daniel Chester“Step back into a spectacular prehistoric world” and explore the rise and fall of the dinosaurs along with some of their unique defense mechanisms, diets, and environmental habitats during their approximately 187 million year reign on Earth.Winning TitlesView book details
Every Breath We TakeMaya Ajmera, Dominique Browning, foreword by Julianne MooreThrough bright photographs and simple text structure, this book examines how air is needed by living creatures and useful for other activities we engage in as well.Winning TitlesView book details
Good Trick, Walking Stick!Sheri M. Bestor, illustrated by Jonny LambertThrough both narrative and expository text features as well as whimsical pictures that convey additional information, the life cycle of a walking stick is examined.Winning TitlesView book details
The Great White Shark ScientistSy Montgomery, illustrated by Keith EllenbogenFollow a team of researchers led by biologist Greg Skomal as they study the largest and most feared fish, the great white shark.Winning TitlesView book details
Grow! Raise! Catch!Shelley RotnerRotner takes readers through the farm-totable process through colorful photos of food and the farmers who produce it.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD670LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
Hopping Ahead of Climate ChangeSneed B. Collard IIIHighlights the fascinating climate change research of one scientist from the perspective of one species.Winning TitlesView book details
I, HumanityJeffrey BennettThe story of our place in the universe told through the collective voice of humanity.Winning TitlesView book details
If You Are a Kaka, You Eat Doo DooSara Martel, illustrated by Sara Lynn CrambFascinating and fun stories about the role poo plays in different animal adaptions.Winning TitlesView book details
IlluminatureRachel Williams, illustrated by CarnovskyUse a three color lens to explore the world with respect to its diverse habitats, animals that roam by day, and creatures that come out at night.Winning TitlesView book details
InsectsSeymour SimonExquisite up-close photographs support the interesting text about the characteristics and classifications of various insect species.Winning TitlesView book details
Inside of a DogAlexandra Horowitz, illustrated by Sean Vidal EdgertonUnderstand dogs on a whole new level by exploring how they see, feel, perceive, and communicate with their world.Winning TitlesView book details
Manatee RescueNicola Davies, illustrated by Annabel WrightA girl’s commitment to save an orphaned manatee changes the attitudes of her community.Winning TitlesView book details
Marie Curie for KidsAmy M. O’QuinnAn inspirational biography of the legendary scientist tailored for young adults, accompanied by dozens of historical photos and activities that explain Curie’s valuable contribution to science.Winning TitlesView book details
Milestones of FlightTim GroveSoar through time as you read about specific achievements in aviation. Much of this book’s inspiring illustrations come from the Smithsonian’s collection.Winning TitlesView book details
Natural WorldAmanda Wood, Mike Jolley, illustrated by Owen DaveyThis book allows the reader to create his/ her own learning adventure while looking through stunning illustrations and a treasure trove of information about our natural world.Winning TitlesView book details
Nefertiti, the SpidernautDarcy Pattison, illustrated by Valeria TisnésThe true story of an investigation to see if a spider could adapt to living in an environment without gravity on the International Space Station and then going back to gravity on Earth.Winning TitlesView book details
Next Time You See a CloudEmily Morgan, Judd Patterson, Tom Uhlman, Steven David Johnson, NASATake a closer look at clouds through striking photography and answers to everyday questions.Winning TitlesView book details
Notable NotebooksJessica Fries-Gaither, illustrated by Linda OlliverAn overview of how notebooks are used in science with examples from the field.Winning TitlesView book details
Octopuses One to TenEllen Jackson, illustrated by Robin PageMore than a counting book, this book describes the unique characteristics of octopuses through rhyming text and engaging illustrations.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD860LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
Our FoodGrace Lin, Ranida T. McKneally, illustrated by Grace ZongAnswers to questions such as “why are so many vegetables green?” are asked and answered as children visit a farm and learn about the different types of food we eat through informative text and short, witty poems.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 860LATOS Book Level 4.9View book details
Our MoonElaine ScottA look at our evolving understanding of Earth’s nearest neighbor from a historical perspective to the most recent discoveries.Winning TitlesView book details
Owls!Laurence Pringle, illustrated by Meryl Learnihan HendersonEnter the world of Owls through this beautifully illustrated book filled with unusual information about owls from all over the world.Winning TitlesView book details
Peeking Under the CityEsther Porter, illustrated by Andrés LozanoThe reader is taken on a graphically illustrated journey beneath the city to all of the aspects of life that are found there, ranging from transportation to infrastructure to evidence of long ago.Winning TitlesView book details
PlatypusSue Whiting, illustrated by Mark JacksonCaptivating illustrations accompanied by lyrical language bring readers into the fascinating world of the platypus.Winning TitlesView book details
Poop DetectivesGinger WadsworthExamines the use of scat detection dogs on land and sea in scientific research.Winning TitlesView book details
Super Cool TechDKThis uniquely designed book guides readers through a look at cutting edge technology and its secrets. Full-color images, cutaways, and digital artwork make this book visually enjoyable.Winning TitlesView book details
The Story of SeedsNancy F. CastaldoThe impact of modern day science and technology ranging from genetically modified foods to the importance of maintaining seed vaults is examined from the context that seeds have an extremely important job in the world—the production of food.Winning TitlesView book details
Super GearJennifer SwansonThe future is now! Discover the nanoinventions that are changing our lives.Winning TitlesView book details
TreecologyMonica Russo, Kevin ByronA delightful introduction to trees, this information-packed resource has activities and observations for nature enthusiasts of all ages.Winning TitlesView book details
Under Water, Under EarthAleksandra Mizielinska, Daniel Mizielinski, Antonia Lloyd-JonesSimple but mesmerizing illustrations in the book explore mysteries beneath water and earth to captivate the reader’s imagination.Winning TitlesView book details
Whoosh!Chris Barton, illustrated by Don TateThe biography of a creative NASA engineer who invented one of the most famous water toys is presented through lively text and captivating illustrations.Winning TitlesView book details
Radioactive!Winifred ConklingScience and history are woven together in this chapter book about two important physicists whose contributions are often overlooked.Winning TitlesView book details
The Rock and Gem BookDKAccurate, colorful illustrations with easy to read descriptions of many common rocks and gems found on Earth. What a great reference tool for any personal or school library!Winning TitlesView book details
The Secret SubwayShana Corey, illustrated by Red Nose StudioIncredibly fascinating illustrations help tell a little known but true story of the first underground subway in New York City. Readers will be captivated by the story itself and the description of how the illustrations were created.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD810LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
Solving the Puzzle Under the SeaRobert Burleigh, illustrated by Raúl ColónThis beautifully illustrated biography presents the story of Marie Tharp, the first person to successfully chart the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 750LATOS Book Level 5View book details
Squirrels Leap, Squirrels SleepApril Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve JenkinsThe actions of squirrels set to rhyme. More detailed explanations of the actions described are included at the end of the book.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 230LATOS Book Level 1.9View book details
Strange, Unusual, Gross & Cool AnimalsCharles GhignaA stunning visual encyclopedia that shares lesserknown information about unique animals.Winning TitlesView book details