Bats in TroublePamela McDowell, illustrated by Kasia CharkoFriends turn detectives to uncover the reason for dead bats under wind turbines at Grandpa’s farm, and appeal to the powercompany with their evidence.Winning TitlesView book detailsNSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 2019
The 2019 edition contains 54 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.
2019 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12See the original list
Selections54
Published byNational Science Teaching Association
SectionsWinning Titles
Winning Titles
54 selections
Bats in TroublePamela McDowell, illustrated by Kasia CharkoFriends turn detectives to uncover the reason for dead bats under wind turbines at Grandpa’s farm, and appeal to the powercompany with their evidence.Winning TitlesView book details
The Bee BookCharlotte MilnerLearn about bees, their roles in our world, their decline, and ways people can help.Winning TitlesView book details
Belle’s JourneyRob Bierregaard, illustrated by Kate GarchinskyFollow Belle, an osprey born on Martha’s Vineyard, on her first journey to her winter home in Brazil and back.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 930LATOS Book Level 6.1View book details
Bonkers About BeetlesOwen DaveyDiscover the fascinating world of beetles through this beautifully illustrated and welldesigned book.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure IG1010LATOS Book Level 6.8View book details
The Brilliant DeepKate Messner, illustrated by Matthew ForsytheAs a young boy with a passion for the ocean, Ken Nedimyer developed a system for growing coral to help replenish damaged andWinning TitlesLexile Text Measure 830LATOS Book Level 4.6View book details
25 Women Who Thought of it FirstJill ShermanThis book showcases 25 women who were instrumental in the advancement of science. Many of the women discussed also overcame great barriers on their way.Winning TitlesView book details
A Is for Australian AnimalsFrané LessacBeyond a simple alphabet book, this continent’s fascinating animals are introduced with colorful descriptions and illustrations of their physical appearances and behaviors.Winning TitlesView book details
About WoodpeckersCathryn Sill, illustrated by John SillExplore the habitats, favorite meals, and homes of woodpeckers. Captivating illustrations paired with uncomplicated text make this book perfect for early elementary students.Winning TitlesView book details
Alexander Graham Bell for KidsMary Kay CarsonThis is not your ordinary ‘activity book’ but one that is carefully curated to bring Alexander Graham Bell’s work to life!Winning TitlesView book details
Animal DiscoveriesTamra B. OrrIntriguing information and photographs about the large numbers of new species stillWinning TitlesView book details
Counting BirdsHeidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Clover RobinThe story of how over 100 years ago Frank Chapman helped shift traditional Christmas bird hunts to bird counts in a compelling citizen science effort that continues on today.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD820LATOS Book Level 5.2View book details
Counting on KatherineHelaine Becker, illustrated by Dow PhumirukDuring segregation, young Katherine Johnson desires to pursue her love of mathematics and eventually is recognized as the only person who can successfully calculate the flight path for the Apollo 13 mission.Winning TitlesView book details
DinosauriumLily Murray, illustrated by Chris WormellAn astonishing and visual treasure trove of dinosaur history throughout Earth’s early geologic periods.Winning TitlesView book details
Eavesdropping on ElephantsPatricia NewmanFollow the clues with the actual scientists as they piece together elephants’ complex infrasound communication to understand and protect this highly intelligent animal.Winning TitlesView book details
Endurance, Young Readers EditionScott KellyA compelling and honest account of the difficulties of life on Earth and on the International Space Station.Winning TitlesView book details
ChampionSally M. WalkerThis book provides a vivid look at the history of one of America’s greatest treasures, the chestnut, and the modern attempts to make a tree resistant to the blight that kills it.Winning TitlesView book details
Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of SpeciesAdapted by Rebecca StefoffThe topics of genus and species, instinct and inheritance, and biodiversity and mutations come to life in this young readers’ edition of The Origin of Species.Winning TitlesView book details
ClangDarcy Pattison, illustrated by Peter WillisA sound representation of sound! Takes the, sometimes hard to grasp, concept of sound and sound waves and makes it fun to learn.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 840LATOS Book Level 5.4View book details
The Coral KingdomLaura Knowles, illustrated by Jennie WebberA beautifully illustrated story of bringing the coral reefs back to life; strong story of regeneration and the part humans can play in saving the coral reefs.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD1000LATOS Book Level 6.7View book details
CountdownSuzanne Slade, illustrated by Thomas GonzalezThis novel-in-verse takes us on the compelling journey from President Kennedy’s call for the United States to land a person on the moon to our first moon landing.Winning TitlesView book details
Hidden FiguresMargot Lee Shetterly, illustrated by Laura FreemanThis is a beautifully illustrated picture book edition of four female African-American mathematicians at NASA who overcame racial and gender barriers to succeed.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 1350LATOS Book Level 9.7View book details
A House in the SkySteve Jenkins, illustrated by Robbin GourleyThis book provides a look at different ways that animals shelter themselves with simple text and watercolor illustrations.Winning TitlesView book details
How We Got to NowSteven Johnson, Sheila KeenanA captivating exploration of our relationship with water, cold, light, sound, clean, and time through the historic lens of science discoveries and innovative technology and engineering.Winning TitlesView book details
IllumanatomyKate Davies, illustrated by Carnovsky TheThis unique book explores the skeleton, muscles, organs, and blood vessels with special glasses that allow readers to experience the human body in detail.Winning TitlesView book details
Lovely BeastsKate Gardner, illustrated by Heidi SmithOne word commonly used to describe animals is juxtaposed with the truth about the nature of the beasts to help dispel myths of long-feared creatures.Winning TitlesView book details
EverestSangma Francis, illustrated by Lisk FengThrough myths, stories, and scientific details, this book guides the reader from base camp to the peak of the world’s highest peak.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 1060LATOS Book Level 7.2View book details
ExoplanetsSeymour SimonA comprehensive look at everything we know about planets outside our solar system, from a master of the genre.Winning TitlesView book details
Flow, Spin, GrowPatchen Barss, illustrated by Todd StewartAn introduction to kids to show them how to find patterns in nature and the world around them.Winning TitlesView book details
Flying DeepMichelle Cusolito, illustrated by Nicole WongTake your readers along on a journey as a scientist aboard the submersible The Alvin. Deep into the deep, deep sea. Fly along in the water while you explore all that the ocean has to offer you!Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 610LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
Fur, Feather, Fin—All of Us are KinDiane Lang, illustrated by Stephanie LaberisThis book examines the differences and similarities that animals have with engaging pictures.Winning TitlesView book details
The Girl With a Mind for MathJulia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel RieleyThe true story of a mathematically gifted African-American female engineer, who persisted through systemic barriers, to develop a computer generated design for ships in the U.S. Navy.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure GN460LATOS Book Level 3.1View book details
Nothing Stopped SophieCheryl Bardoe, illustrated by Barbara McClintockBecoming a mathematician was unheard of for a young woman, especially during the French Revolution, but nothing stopped Sophie. The true story of Sophie Germain is truly inspiring.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 1030LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
Otis and Will Discover the DeepBarb Rosenstock, illustrated by Katherine RoyIncredible illustrations compliment the true story of Otis Barton and Will Beebe’s harrowing journey to be the first to explore the depths of the ocean in their small metal sphere.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 620LATOS Book Level 3.6View book details
Paddle Perch ClimbLaurie Ellen AngusAdaptations! A perfectly simple explanation of the adaptation of bird’s feet.Winning TitlesView book details
Perfectly Peculiar PlantsChris Thorogood, illustrated by Catell Ronca TheFrom sea beans and squirting cucumbers to baobab trees and Venus fly traps, discover Earth’s most peculiar plants.Winning TitlesView book details
A Place to Start a FamilyDavid L. Harrison, illustrated by Giles LarocheStructures created by animals to attract a mate and have babies are described in this poetry collection that blends science and verse.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 650LATOS Book Level 4.2View book details
Snowy Owl Invasion!Sandra MarkleFollow scientists and birdwatchers alike as they experience an unprecedented migrationWinning TitlesView book details
Mae Among the StarsRoda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia BurringtonDespite being told by everyone outside her family that she could not achieve her lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut, Mae Jemison continues to pursue her dream and became the first African-American female in space.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD580LATOS Book Level 3View book details
MaggieJennifer Keats Curtis, illustrated by Phyllis SaroffWhen Maggie became the lone elephant at Alaska Zoo, her keepers tried creative solutions to ease her loneliness until they found her a more natural home with a new elephant family.Winning TitlesView book details
Mama Dug a Little DenJennifer Ward, illustrated by Steve JenkinsMamas make sure home is a safe place for baby critters. Tender poetry and facts pair with colorful illustrations to help readers learn about different types of animal homes.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD1010LATOS Book Level 5.1View book details
Marie CurieDemiThis is a beautifully illustrated book that portrays the life of Marie Curie beginning with her childhood.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD980LATOS Book Level 6.1View book details
National Parks of the USAKate Siber, illustrated by Chris TurnhamVintage-inspired illustrations take readers on a tour of the National Park of the United States. Information on the history of the areas, interesting facts, and even tips for things to do and see!Winning TitlesView book details
Very, Very, Very DreadfulAlbert MarrinThe journey of influenza in 1918 from soldiers to civilians, and how it became a global pandemic.Winning TitlesView book details
Water LandChristy HaleA creative, unique, and thought-provoking presentation of landforms.Winning TitlesView book details
When Sparks FlyKristen Fulton, illustrated by Diego FunckA young boy pursues his curiosity of rockets. Over time, he learns from mistakes and persists in developing successful rockets that eventually become essential to the space program.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 690LATOS Book Level 3.9View book details
When the Whales WalkedDougal Dixon, illustrated by Hannah BaileyThis book uses family trees, illustrated scenes, and annotated illustrations to step back in time when whales walked or snakes had legs and explore the changes over time through 13 case studies.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 980LATOS Book Level 6.5View book details
Wild OrcaBrenda Peterson, illustrated by Wendell MinorA family joins the yearly tradition of community and scientists watching and listening for Granny, the world’s oldest known orca, and her family. Will they return to the San Juan Islands?Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD620LATOS Book Level 3.3View book details
WoodpeckersSneed B. Collard III, Sneed B. Collard IIIHave you ever wondered what woodpeckers like to eat or how is it they can tap-tap-tap all day and not get a headache? Find the answers to these questions and more in this book ofWinning TitlesView book details
Sounds of NatureRobert Frank Hunter, illustrated by Robert Frank HunterNot only do the birds and their information fly off the pages of this beautifully illustrated book, but each bird habitat comes alive with real bird sounds.Winning TitlesView book details
Spring After SpringStephanie Roth SissonThe story of how young Rachel Carson’s curiosity led to the publishing of The Silent Spring and sparked a nation’s desire to learn more about their impact on the environment.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure AD790LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
StarstruckKathleen Krull, Paul Brewer, illustrated by Frank MorrisonFrom formative experiences at the Hayden Planetarium in New York City to exploring the stars in the countryside, this is a story of famed astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson and his insatiable curiosity about space.Winning TitlesView book details
To Pluto and BeyondElaine ScottThe story of the development and journey of the New Horizons spacecraft including the scientists’ expectations and hopes for the mission. Included with the exciting discoveries being made are the incredible images the spacecraft is sending back to Earth.Winning TitlesView book details
To the Moon!Jeffrey Kluger, Ruby ShamirThis book engages readers in the inspiring story of America’s journey to get the first spaceship, with the three astronauts on board, to reach the Moon.Winning TitlesLexile Text Measure 1180LATOS Book Level 8View book details
Up & DownDon Brown, illustrated by Don BrownFollow Dr. John Jeffries’ experiments with hot air balloon travel as he demonstrates creative problem solving and becomes theWinning TitlesView book details