that some plants do not have leaves at all and
instead extract energy from fungi through
their roots? These facts collectively empha-
size that every plant is worth a careful look,
as millions of years of adaptation have left
nearly every evolutionary route explored and
few rules unbroken.
Aside from the information conveyed in
the diagrams and (quite complex) descrip-
tions and anecdotes, this book offers a simple
imperative for budding naturalists: Go out-
side and document everything you see. Col-
ored pencils, a nature journal, and a hand
lens would make great accompaniments for
this book, as they are needed for many of the
activities. Most of the exercises require little
more than this equipment, time, and atten-
tion, although there are a few ideas for those
with access to a garden plot and a kitchen.
The final chapter offers a brief introduction
to how humans use plants as crops and, if
young readers are hooked on plants by then,
some career advice.Plantology: 30 Activities and Observations for
Exploring the World of Plants, Michael Elsohn Ross,
Chicago Review Press, 2019, 128 pp.SCIENCE sciencemag.org 6 DECEMBER 2019 • VOL 366 ISSUE 6470 1189ILLUSTRATION: GUILLAUME DUPRAT
birds, this book is broken into four chapters
that are accessible to most ages, although
younger children will probably want to focus
on the many fascinating owl pictures. Fun
facts are tucked among the pages, often with
photographic illustrations. Did you know, for
example, that owls have feathered eyelids?
Author Mark Wilson is a wildlife photo-
journalist who also cares for owls that can-
not live in the wild. This access lends itself
to stunning images of the species discussed
in the book, which include photographs of
their habitat and identifying marks, as well
as many images of nestlings.
The book discusses some avian common-
alities, as well as how owls differ from other
birds. One section specifically introduces the
19 owl species of North America, including
how and where to find and identify them.
Noting that owls are probably closer than
one might think and that many are active
during the day, one of the highlights of the
book is the discussion of how to study one’s
surroundings to identify the likely presence
and location of a nearby owl. (Hint: Look for
their excrement and remains of their meals,
known as owl pellets.)
Owling presents several case studies of
people who work with owls, providing role
models and offering potential future careers
for its younger readers. Anyone interested in
identifying and learning about the owls with
which we share the world will likely enjoy
paging through this book, all the more so if
it is used as an owl guide.Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of
the Night, Mark Wilson, Storey Publishing, 2019, 122 pp.HANDS-ON SCIENCE BOOKPlantology
Reviewed by Michael A. Funk^10Go outside and look around. Unless your sur-
roundings are buried in snow, you will likely
see green leaves, budding flowers, and tough
weeds. But have you ever stopped to compare
leaf shapes, count the number of petals, or
see if a taproot is hidden underground? Such
activities are just the tip of the iceberg (let-
tuce!) when it comes to the experiments and
observations suggested in Plantology.
Starting with the simple question “what is
a plant?” this book delves into the vast and
often surprising diversity of the kingdom
Plantae. Each chapter covers an aspect of
plant structure and function, laying out gen-
eral principles but also offering surprising
examples of when things get weird. Did you
know that some orchids trap bees inside their
flowers in order to glue pollen to them? Or(stock up on food coloring—you’ll need it!),
experiments occasionally call for items that
are unlikely to be lying around (e.g., iron fil-
ings and a dual-probe thermometer).
For each experiment, the central con-
cepts being tested are artfully conveyed us-
ing bright, inviting photos and accessibly
written introductions, followed by a materi-
als list and clear step-by-step instructions.
Each experiment closes with an “Observa-
tions” section, which provides explanations
and further questions. Fun facts on tangen-
tial topics—from earthworm poop to the
autonomous sensory meridian response—
make an occasional appearance.
Many classic household experiments—
such as dissolving eggs in acid, synthesiz-
ing slime, and generating explosions of
vinegar and baking soda—can be found
among the book’s 120+ pages. Although
most of the experiments listed are meant
to be conducted indoors, several encour-
age children to go outside and explore
the natural world. Where Science in a Jar
really shines is with its simplest experi-
ments, which manage to explain broadly
interesting concepts—such as why puppies
snuggle when they sleep and how clouds
form—in a fun and accessible way.Science in a Jar: 35+ Experiments in Biology,
Chemistry, Weather, the Environment, and More!,
Julia Garstecki, Quarto, 2019, 128 pp.Can You Crack
the Code?
Reviewed by Adrian Cho^12Readers who think it would be fun to send
secret messages—i.e., practically all of
them—will enjoy this book, which is both a
brief history of encryption and a beginner’s
how-to manual. Ella Schwartz, a cybersecu-
rity expert, uses a breezy style that itself is
never cryptic, and Lily Williams’s illustra-
tions make the concepts readily accessible.
The book begins with a simple substi-
tution cipher, used by Julius Caesar, in
which every letter of the alphabet is signi-
fied by another letter a specific number of
spots away. It then works through more-
complicated substitution ciphers, symbolic
ciphers, and ciphers in which a message
is spelled out in the first letters of specific
words in a specific book. Schwartz poses
puzzles so the reader can try the schemes.
She describes Enigma, the complex cipher
used by the Germans, and cracked by the
British, during World War II, and the basic
idea behind internet encryption.
Along the way, Schwartz provides fascinat-
ing examples of codes that have long defiedChameleons see colors better than we do, helping
them catch prey and create convincing camouflage.INSIGHTS | BOOKSScience in a Jar
Reviewed by Seth Scanlon^11Do you have a surplus of glass jars clogging
your cupboards and children who are curi-
ous and excited about the world? If so, Julia
Garstecki’s collection of more than 35 house-
hold experiments may be a great addition to
your library. This book is divided into chap-
ters on life science, chemistry, earth science,
physical science, and environmental science.
Similar to Jonathan Adolph’s 2018 book
Mason Jar Science, the premise is that all of
these experiments are to be conducted us-
ing glass jars of varying sizes. Although the
aim is to use common household materialsPublished by AAASon December 12, 2019^http://science.sciencemag.org/Downloaded from