Quarks, Sparks and Quantum Mysteries: A Cosmic Guide to the Building Blocks of our Universe (Lisa Harvey-Smith, illus Aidan Ryan, T&H)
Astrophysicist professor Lisa Harvey-Smith has created another brilliant book as part of her mission to open up science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to children at a time when they are fuelled by curiosity about how their world works. Quarks, Sparks and Quantum Mysteries: A Cosmic Guide to the Building Blocks of our Universe explains atoms, molecular forces, quantum physics and relativity in an engaging, accessible style with Aidan Ryan’s clear, brightly coloured illustrations supporting the written text. Biscuit the guinea pig helps children comprehend the scale of particle physics and pops up throughout the text as a friendly companion. Each short chapter raises a scientific issue, takes the young reader through logical steps to build understanding and then places the new learning back into a real-world context. Topics include the microscopic world, the tiny world of particles, quantum quirks, antimatter, cosmic rays, bizarre forces, mass, gravity, relativity, strange happenings in time, black holes, white holes, wormholes and exotic stars. The final chapter reiterates that, while it’s a weird quantum world, humans are constantly impacted and assisted by particle physics and the technologies it has made possible. Harvey-Smith finishes by urging young readers to ask questions, have fun and keep exploring. Quarks, Sparks and Quantum Mysteries is a fantastic resource for young readers, catering to upper primary and junior secondary students while remaining accessible enough for parents or teachers to share with younger children aged 6+. Similar to Harvey-Smith’s other works (Little Book, BIG Universe), this book is sure to become a well-thumbed resource in school libraries, classrooms and homes.
Books+Publishing reviewer: Merril Darling is a freelance reviewer based in Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.
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Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews
