Suggestions for Books for school library

[Pond Nut]

I have the chance to get a bunch of books for my daughter's elementary (K-5) school library.

I'm looking for suggestions of suitable titles that would be suitable for that age range (6-12). I've flicked through the Prometheus books catalog and there are a couple that look suitable, but it is difficult to tell from the description.

Any ideas?

[cbish]

Literary? Scientific? What categories? All? Grades 6-12 is extremely broad. What kind of school is this?

[Pond Nut]

The school is a public elementary school (grades K-5), ages 6-11. I'm looking for books which will provide the kids with a skeptical world view, yet be fun to read.

For example, books on the richness of life and how evolution fits in.

One of my daughter's favorite stories is the 'World Story'. It runs from slightly before the big bang to the present day (somewhat faster than real time!). I'd like to get the same sense of wonder into other children.

[geni]

All though not scepticly based the eye witness guides are some of the best books about science and the natural worlk for children that age.

[Foofer]

Dan Barker has written some great books for kids:

"Just Pretend: A Freethought Book For Children" (Recommended Ages 6-12)

"Maybe Right, Maybe Wrong: A Guide For Young Thinkers" (Recommended Ages 9 & up)

"Maybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide For Young Skeptics" (Recommended Ages 9 & up)

They are available at www.ffrf.org/books

[zakur]

Originally posted by Foofer
Dan Barker has written some great books for kids:

"Just Pretend: A Freethought Book For Children" (Recommended Ages 6-12)

"Maybe Right, Maybe Wrong: A Guide For Young Thinkers" (Recommended Ages 9 & up)

"Maybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide For Young Skeptics" (Recommended Ages 9 & up)

They are available at www.ffrf.org/books Blast! Beat me to it. All great ones we have at the house, and in our public library. Here are a few more:

Alexander Fox and the Amazing Mind Reader (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1573922218/103-7215352-2283062) by John C. Clayton, illustrated by Emily Egan

How Do You Know It's True?: Discovering the Difference Between Science and Superstition (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0879756578/103-7215352-2283062) by Hy Ruchlis

What About Gods? (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0879751061/103-7215352-2283062) by Chris Brockman (Caution: This one may not be accepted by your school library because of its hard atheism stance.)

The Tree of Life: The Wonders of Evolution (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0879758198/103-7215352-2283062) by Ellen Jackson

Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0618164766/103-7215352-2283062) by Steve Jenkins

[arcticpenguin]

The Magic Detectives by Joe Nickell, Prometheus.

[chapka]

Anything and everything by David Macaulay. He's written a whole series of books with names like "Castle," "Cathedral," "Pyramid," and (my favorie) "Underground", which explain how complicated structures are built, step by step. I loved them when I was that age. Actually, while checking the spelling of his name on Amazon I discovered that he's still writing them--"Ship" and "Mosque" are now on my Amazon wish list.

Specific recommendations:

"Cathedral" and "Castle"--two classics.
"Underground," explores foundations, sewers, subways, and other great subterranean stuff.
"Motel of the Mysteries"--archaeologists of the future try to reconstruct our culture based on the excavation of an important ceremonial cite, the "Motel Toot-'n'-C'Mon". A must-read for everyone, K-5 or not.