BOOKS

All of our books align with state and national standards.

LIFE SCIENCE

Topics range from genetics and cells to food webs and flowering plants. Students meet women and men doing exciting work in life sciences, from a wildlife biologist to a nutritionist. 

print_books_kc_life_msKey Concepts in Life Science Set (6 books - Middle School)

(see individual descriptions below)

Each of the six Key Concepts in Life Science books takes an in-depth look at one “big idea” in life science. Topics range from genetics to organic molecules. The books invite students to read with lively text and engaging photographs and illustrations. Science concepts are connected to real-world examples and to the lives of women and men from diverse backgrounds doing exciting work in life science. Together the six books build science literacy while fostering student interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 

print_books_kc_life_ueKey Concepts in Life Science Set (6 books - Upper Elementary)

(see individual descriptions below)

Each of the six Key Concepts in Life Science books takes an in-depth look at one “big idea” in life science. Topics range from food webs to vertebrates. The books invite students to read with lively text and engaging photographs and illustrations. Science concepts are connected to real-world examples and to the lives of women and men from diverse backgrounds doing exciting work in life science. Together the six books build science literacy while fostering student interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

kc_ls_adaptationsKey Concepts in Life Science: Adaptations 

In Adaptations: Life's Survival Strategies, students learn that all species have adaptations that help them survive in the ecosystems in which they live. Through examples, students learn that new adaptations develop through natural selection. They also learn about specific adaptations species have for avoiding predators or capturing prey, as well as the concept of symbiosis, the close relationship between species. Finally, students learn about Caitlin O’Connell-Rodwell, a behavioral ecologist who studies how elephants communicate through seismic signals.

Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 840L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_biodiversityKey Concepts in Life Science: Biodiversity 

Biodiversity: Earth's Wonderful Web of Life introduces students to the concept of biodiversity and guides them to an understanding of why biodiversity is essential for life on Earth. Students learn how complex living things first developed on Earth, how living things on Earth are woven together by a life-sustaining series of connections, and how organisms are organized and named. Students also discover how human activities can threaten biodiversity. Finally, the book introduces Varun Swamy, an ecologist who studies the importance of biodiversity in the rainforests of Peru.

Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 860L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_cellsKey Concepts in Life Science: Cells

Cells: Life's Building Blocks guides students as they discover that all living things are made of cells. After reading about the discovery of cells, students learn about the two main classifications of cells—prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. Students also learn about the function of organelles and the process of cell division. The focus then turns to multicellular organisms and the hierarchy of organization from cells to tissues to organs to body systems. Finally, students read about Sue Bryant, a biologist who studies salamanders to learn how multicellular organisms can regrow missing tissues.

Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 830L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_floweringKey Concepts in Life Science: Flowering Plants

Flowering Plants: A Success Story guides students as they explore a series of adaptations over the eons that led to the rise of flowering plants. Students follow this evolutionary trail from algae to land plants such as mosses, ferns, and conifers, and finally to flowering plants. Students learn more about what makes these plants successful by following the life cycle of an apple tree. Flowering Plants then introduces Santiago Ramirez, an evolutionary biologist who analyzed fossil pollen grains from ancient orchids to build a family tree of orchid evolution.

Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 790L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_foodwebsKey Concepts in Life Science: Food Webs

Food Webs: You Are What You Eat guides students to an understanding that food chains form in ecosystems because all organisms need food for energy to stay alive. The book explains that plants on land and phytoplankton in water are producers because they make their own food through photosynthesis. Students learn that consumers depend on the food that producers make. Students also discover that most ecosystems have many food chains that link together and form food webs. Finally, students read about Scott Schliebe, a wildlife biologist who studies polar bears in the Arctic.

Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 820L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_geneticsKey Concepts in Life Science: Genetics

Genetics: A Blueprint for Life explores how the information in genes determines the characteristics of all living things. Students learn that genes are inherited from an offspring's parent or parents. They read about the structure of DNA as well as how it replicates. Students also learn about the steps of transcription and translation and the role of these processes in protein production. Genetics then profiles Bruce Jackson, a molecular biologist who uses DNA to link people together across generations and continents.

Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 840L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_lifecyclesKey Concepts in Life Science: Life Cycles

Life Cycles: Passing on the DNA introduces students to concepts of reproduction by exploring the life cycles of an array of organisms, from bacteria, sea stars, and tomato plants to frogs, lions, and people. Students learn about different forms of asexual reproduction. Then they read about how some organisms use sexual reproduction, which produces offspring with a mix of traits from both parents. Students also learn about the stages of the human life cycle. Finally, Life Cycles profiles Lisa Stevens, a zoo curator who monitored the pregnancy of an endangered giant panda.

Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 800L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_organicmoleculesKey Concepts in Life Science: Organic Molecules

Organic Molecules: The Molecules of Life introduces the four major kinds of molecules that make up living things. It then guides students to an understanding of the important roles that these organic molecules play in all living things. Students learn that just six chemical elements make up most organic molecules and that carbon plays a pivotal role. Students also read about nutritionist Sonia Vega-López, who studies the connection between fiber-rich foods and lower cholesterol levels.

Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 910L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_photosynthKey Concepts in Life Science: Photosynthesis and Respiration

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Life’s Endless Exchangeintroduces students to the processes that keep energy flowing through the living world. Students learn that during photosynthesis, green plants use energy from sunlight to produce sugar. Students also learn that during cell respiration, organisms release the energy stored in that sugar to power all of their activities. Students discover that photosynthesis and cell respiration are complementary processes—what happens during one process makes the other process possible. Finally, students read about Mike Behrenfeld, an oceanographer who studies phytoplankton, the organisms most responsible for photosynthesis in the oceans.

Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 860L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_plantanimalKey Concepts in Life Science: Plant and Animal Systems

In Plant and Animal Systems: Similar Solutions for Life, students discover that plants and animals have much in common. Because plants and animals face many of the same challenges in staying alive, they have evolved similar body systems that carry out the functions of life—breaking down food, transporting nutrients and water, exchanging gases, and coordinating activities. Students also read about Nathan Muchhala, a biologist who found a new species of long-tongued bat in Ecuador and discovered its connection to a long, trumpet-shaped flower.

Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 820L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_biosphereKey Concepts in Life Science: The Biosphere

The Biosphere: Earth's Life Zone allows students to explore the thin realm of air, water, and land in which organisms live. Students learn that Earth’s surface is a patchwork of biomes—deserts, forests, grasslands, rivers, lakes, and oceans. By examining a variety of land and water biomes, students come to understand the hierarchy of organization within the biosphere. Finally, students read about Stephanie Hampton, a biologist who studies how temperature changes are affecting the unique ecosystem in Russia’s Lake Baikal.

Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 790L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

kc_ls_vertebratesKey Concepts in Life Science: Vertebrates 

Vertebrates: Built on Backbones introduces students to the fascinating world of vertebrate animals. Students learn that every vertebrate has a backbone, the key feature that separates vertebrates from invertebrate animals. Students explore examples ranging from the family dog to mighty sharks and extinct dinosaurs as they learn about the characteristics that have allowed vertebrates to be successful in their ecosystems. Students also read about the five main vertebrate groups—fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Finally, students meet Kiisa Nishikawa, a herpetologist who studies how the muscles in amphibians work when they capture prey.

Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 850L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback

print_books_kc_msKey Concepts in Life, Earth, and Physical Science Set (18 books - Middle School)

(see individual descriptions above)

Each of the 18 Key Concepts in Science books takes an in-depth look at one “big idea” in life, Earth, or physical science. The books invite students to read with lively text and engaging photographs and illustrations. Science concepts are connected to real-world examples and to the lives of women and men from diverse backgrounds doing exciting work in life, Earth, and physical science. Together the 18 books provide an integrated approach to building STEM literacy while fostering student interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

print_books_kc_ueKey Concepts in Life, Earth, and Physical Science Set (18 books - Upper Elementary)

(see individual descriptions above)

Each of the 18 Key Concepts in Science books takes an in-depth look at one “big idea” in life, Earth, or physical science. The books invite students to read with lively text and engaging photographs and illustrations. Science concepts are connected to real-world examples and to the lives of women and men from diverse backgrounds doing exciting work in life, Earth, and physical science. Together the 18 books provide an integrated approach to building STEM literacy while fostering student interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).