Genre 4: Informational Text - The Human Body

Posted by Tamra S , Wednesday, July 14, 2010 4:34 PM

Bibliographic Data

Simon, Seymour. 2008. Smithsonian: The Human Body. New York: HarperCollins Publishing.

Summary and Analysis
In this captivating look at the miraculous human body, Seymour Simon provides a scientific overview of the twelve major body systems and their functions. In language that is not watered down, yet accessible, he explains each system of the body, identifying various parts that make up each system, as well as introducing scientific vocabulary. He starts with cells and works all the way through the body and ends by giving an overview of the human life cycle. The pages of text alternate from being black on white to white on black. Accompanying each page of text is a full-page photograph of the body system or parts being discussed. The photographs range from a cartoon-like depiction of muscles in a leg to the up-close magnification of hair on skin. The real-life, up-close photographs leap off the pages and compel the reader to examine them closely.

Simon provides a glossary of bold-faced terms from the text, as well as an explanation of the images found in the text. Additionally, an index is included to direct readers to specific content. This feature would make this book conducive to research. This text is most suitable for grades 3 and up, due to the vocabulary and depth of content covered.

Awards and Reviews
*School Library Journal: Simon has been cruising through the human body for a number of years, and here he pulls all the pieces together and adds a bit to the mix as he presents a cool look at the human interior. . .The text is clear and informative. ©Reed Business Information

*Booklist: . . . the book includes eye-catching new images and entirely new, clearly written sections of text discussing the integumentary system (skin, hair, nails), the urinary and excretory systems, the lymphatic system, and the reproductive system. A nice addition is the appended guide to the illustrations, though captions near the pictures and labeling on diagrams would have been even more useful to children.

Connections
*As students are learning about human body systems in Science, this book can be shared in the library, reading the sections of text that are pertinent to classroom study.
*Break the reading of this text up into several sessions. With each section, illustrate and label a full-size human body outline with facts that were learned for the various body systems.
*For older students, they may wish to choose one of the body systems to investigate further.
*Go online to the Smithsonian (http://americanhistory.si.edu/anatomy/bodyparts/nma03_bodyparts.html) and allow students to play "Artificial Anatomy."

References

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