“To make great ideas a reality, we must act, experiment, fail, adapt and learn on a daily basis.”
– Jocelyn K. Glei, Author, Host of Hurry Slowly Podcast
Enjoy the power of STEM within the covers of these wonderful books. Experience more by watching the activity videos taught by our Savvas Learning family. Try the investigations at home by downloading the activity directions. Have fun as you read, explore, and be creative this summer!
(Many of these books may be found in your local library or online for purchase.)
Lower Elementary Upper Elementary/Middle Grades
The Beak Book
By Robin Page
Published by Beach Lane Books
Book Summary Activity Video Activity Handouts
About the Teacher
Erin Pfaff
Erin is a former K-2 teacher and holds a Ph.D. in Math & Science Education from Vanderbilt University. She currently serves as a Professional Development Content Developer for Savvas in math and science. Her professional mission is to help all students make sense of math and science in meaningful ways.
We Are Water Protectors
Written by Carole Lindstrom
Illustrated by Michaela Goade
Published by Roaring Brook Press
Book Summary Activity Video Activity Handouts
About the Teacher
Sam Caudill
Sam is a Science Curriculum Specialist after being a science teacher and school administrator for 11 years. She has an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction and loves to dive into standards and programs to determine the best way to meld and use the two. She lives in Columbus, Ohio and in her spare time she loves to read and spend time with her dog, husband, and son.
Terrible Times Tables
By Michell Markel
Illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard
Published by Cameron + Company
About the Teacher
Hanna McArdle
Hanna is the Product Marketing Manager for enVision® Mathematics as well as the mother of two math-loving elementary students.
If Bees Disappeared
By Lily Williams
Published by Roaring Brook Press
About the Teacher
Nancy Williams
Nancy Williams graduated with her BS in Elementary Education and MS in Special Education and currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. She started her teaching career working with NASA’s Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aeronautics Academy (S.E.M.A.A.) and envisioned being "the Black Ms. Frizzle" from The Magic School Bus.
The Sign of the Seahorse
Authored and Illustrated By Graeme Base
Published by the Penguin Group
Book Summary Activity Video Activity Handouts
About the Teacher
Nancy Williams
Nancy Williams was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated with her BS in Elementary Education and MS in Special Education. She started her teaching career working with NASA’s Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aeronautics Academy (S.E.M.A.A.).
Disasters by the Numbers: A Book of Infographics
Authored and Illustrated By Graeme Base
Published by the Penguin Group
About the Teacher
Scott Kraus
Scott is a math editor for Savvas Learning Company. He is a former high school math and SEL teacher in Florida and has been living in the Chicago area for the last 15 years. He is passionate about music and math and loves to explore nature and numbers.
Accidental Inventions That Changed Our World
Published by Riddleland
Book Summary Activity Video Activity Handouts
About the Teacher
Michael Comer
Michael taught middle school science before becoming a Science/Math consultant. His expertise is in providing rich, meaningful workshops that link the facets of inquiry teaching with hands-on learning. He has shared science educational practices with other teachers from around the world.
How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine
By Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville
Illustrated by Giselle Potter
Published By Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Book Summary Activity Video Activity Handouts
About the Teacher
Shannon Petree
Shannon works as a Science Content Developer on behalf of Savvas Learning Company. Prior to this she was a STEM curriculum director, Pearson Science Specialist, HeartMath Project Manager, and Health Rhythms Facilitator—discovering how physics of the past can reimagine our future.
Twenty-One Elephants
By Phil Bildner
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
About the Teacher
Erin Horner
Before joining Savvas Learning Company, Erin Horner spent years as a classroom teacher where she inspired her students to be future scientists. She is passionate about helping teachers create engaging classrooms where a student’s natural curiosity is a catalyst to explore and explain the world around them. When she’s not busy sharing her passion for science, you can find her out in nature enjoying and exploring it with her three children and rescue dog.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
By William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
Pictures by Elizabeth Zunon
Published by Penguin Random House
About the Teacher
Patrice Simpson
Patrice fell in love with science during her 9th grade Introduction to physical science class when doing science was just as important as learning science. Since then, she has developed a passion for helping students to see and understand science in their everyday lives. Now working as a science curriculum specialist with a degree in chemistry and 10 years of teaching experience, Patrice is excited to introduce resources to teachers that will spark the same excitement about science that she found in that 9th grade class.
By Dr. Kate Biberdorf with Hillary Homzie
Published by Philomel Books
About the Teachers
Kelli Palsrok
Before becoming a Curriculum Specialist with Savvas Learning Company, Kelli was a 7-12 classroom science teacher for over twenty five years. Her love of watching young people explore the world around them continually excites her and motivates her to work with teachers in the classroom to create engaging science experiences for kids of all ages.
Kelly McHugh
Kelly McHugh is a science curriculum specialist at Savvas Learning Company, and loves to help teachers get excited about teaching with phenomena. Prior to working at Savvas, Kelly was a high school biology teacher and high school principal in New York State. Our planet is our playground!
Tomatoes for Neela
Written by Padma Lakshmi
Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Nea
Published by Philomel Books
About the Teacher
Kelsey Jenkins
Kelsey Jenkins works in Product Marketing for Savvas Learning Company. She proudly works on curriculum solutions that help ensure every student finds joy in math.
All stories begin with an idea. Do you have an idea you would like to share with the world? Maybe it is about an experience you had or about something you read or heard that sparked your “thinking.” Write it down!
Use the templates below to help you organize your thoughts and ideas in a meaningful way to share with others. Keep your final book handy and ready for submission in our writing contest launching in August.
(Requirements, deadlines, and prizes will be posted August 2022.)
