Hypothesis: Ketchup and snow are the only food groups a kid needs.
Written by Jenny Offill, Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
In this book of “household experiments,” a girl utilizes the scientific method to put her many inventive ideas to the test with hilarious results. Without a traditional narrative, the book is formatted as a notebook containing a series of questions and hypotheses, each with a prescribed process for testing and the young scientist’s observational notes and conclusions. We follow the budding researcher as she tries the merits of such hypotheses as “a piece of bologna will fly like a Frisbee,” “dogs like everything,” and “yodeling makes time go faster.” The yodeling experiment is performed in the car with her family during a traffic jam. The flying bologna experiment is performed in the school lunch room by disassembling a sandwich. The illustrations are extremely unique and effective: collages of notebook sketches, photos, textbook diagrams, graphs, and more. This book is an excellent way to illustrate the scientific method in effect for young students, while also making them laugh and inspiring more mischievous scientific exploration. I highly recommend this book for elementary school libraries.
Review by Joshua Whiting, GSD Library Media Program
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 2-6
Click here to see some sample page spreads!
11 Experiments That Failed
Written by Jenny Offill, Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Schwartz & Wade Books
40 pages
Release Date: September 27, 2011
ISBN: 9780375847622 (hardcover)
Josh W.
October 11, 2011
I’ve got two copies of this to give away, so leave a comment! I’ll leave this one open for entries until 10/24 at 7 AM!
Pam Smith
October 11, 2011
I want one, this looks like a fun read.
Terrie Bishop
October 11, 2011
Looks fun! Enter me in the drawing!
Shannon Bishop
October 11, 2011
We want one! Thanks Josh
Andrea Van Wagoner
October 11, 2011
The review made me laugh! I can just see the bologna! Oh-oh.
Sandy Brigman
October 12, 2011
I wanted this book after I read the review, and then scrolled down to see the giveaway. Please!!!
Renee Larsen
October 13, 2011
What a great book to have for our library! Yes, I would love to have one. I love books that explain scientific facts to kids in a fun and colorful way so that they can understand.
Susan Wilkerson
October 13, 2011
Do you want me to beg? This looks like fun.
Leanna Griffiths
October 13, 2011
What a fun way to learn about the scientific method! I want to read it myself! Our students will love it!
Debbie Woolsey
October 14, 2011
Looks like a great book. Put us in for the drawing!
Tawnya Albertson
October 14, 2011
I would love this book! As soon as your review mentioned “girl” I wanted it. The boys will love it, but I hope having a “girl” on the cover, it might entice my girls to enjoy a science book.
Vala'dee Tanner
October 17, 2011
This book sounds hilarious. I love books that teach in a fun way. We would love to have it in our library.
Gloria Savage
October 17, 2011
We would love to “explore” this book in our library because it sounds like an entertaining way to learn.
Angela Pratt
October 17, 2011
This looks like a fun book, it would be a great addition to our library! Keeping my fingers crossed.
Susan Woods
October 17, 2011
I read to my classes last year, “17 Things I’m Not Allowed To Do Anymore”. Since then the students have wanted more stories about this young girl who pushes her boundries a bit too often. I’m sure this is as entertaining.
Diann Cox
October 17, 2011
A free book to add to our collection would be great! Enter us into the drawing.
Granite Media
October 24, 2011
Renee Larsen and Susan Woods are the winners! Thanks everyone for looking.