Seeing Ourselves in Nature

Reach for this book when you notice your child becoming frustrated by the rigid rules of school or when they start to believe that being smart means being boring. This book is a perfect antidote to the idea that science is only for people in white lab coats doing serious work. Through the lens of the Ig Nobel Prizes, Jessica Fong explores real, peer reviewed research that sounds absolutely ridiculous at first, like why woodpeckers don't get headaches or the physics of slipping on a banana peel. It speaks to a child's need for creative validation, showing them that curiosity and a sense of humor are actually vital tools for discovery. While the subject matter is nonfiction and educational, the emotional core is about the freedom to think outside the box. It is highly appropriate for middle grade readers (ages 8 to 14) who are developing their critical thinking skills and want to see the human, often hilarious side of high level achievement.