Levers and Pulleys (Level C)

This 48-page science reader provides students with information about two simple machines—levers and pulleys. The contents include an iScience Puzzle; a discovery activity called "What is a force?"; connections to history; and content on forces, work, and energy.



The authors use a problem-based learning scenario and questioning techniques that encourage science inquiry. Readers are challenged to figure out how to lift a 700-pound piano. Information and questions throughout the book guide students to investigations and help them solve this problem. The illustrations are photographs.



This is a high-quality, durable book—perfect for the classroom. I highly recommend this book to teachers of students in grades 3 to 5. Upper-grade teachers with special education students as well as elementary teachers using differentiated instruction will also find this book to be very useful.

National Science Teachers Association



Summary - Here's the problem: How do you get a 700 pound piano up 25 stairs using two simple machines? Like other books in this series, a question/puzzle is posed at the beginning, and a sequence of information and activities helps the student solve the problem or answer the question.

Evaluation: This is an excellendtbook for young students who are studying simple machines (Science SOL 3.2). It's part of the series Science Readers A. The concepts are basic, yet interesting, and the photgraphs complement the text. There is enough information to satisfy most young readers, but gives a website for students who desire more info. This book could be read aloud to students, put in a center, or a school or classroom library. This book also includes an index, glossary, additional notes, and further reading.

Richmond Public Schools


This is a great series for beginning science introduction and study. Books are easy to manage both in size and amount of pages. Each book has a colorful cover wtih a round colorful picture of the subject. Inside it is packed with information with great photographs. Text is 2-3 paragraphs per page. There are additional features highlighting the topic and sub-topic headings. I like the science puzzle at the beginning - almost an ice breaker into the topic. The discovery activity is a great hands on example of the topic. Very nice series for the younger elementary.

Garland Independent School District



The authors did a great job of presenting some pretty dry material in an interesting way. The illustrations and historical references are a plus. Recommended.

Richardson Independent School District