Six books for science fans

George’s Marvellous Experiments

In the Roald Dahl classic, George creates his own marvellous medicine to sort out his grizzly Grandma. Inspired by Dahl’s original wacky tale, this book is full of amazing experiments that budding scientists can attempt at home - without the disastrous consequences Granny faced! Why not try making homemade slime or create an explosive volcano, following the simple step-by-step instructions.

Pig-Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman

Pig Heart Boy is an incredibly moving story about 13-year-old Cameron, who receives a pig’s heart as a transplant when there are no human donors available. As well detailing the science behind the story, this book covers the very real and ethical debates of the sensitive subject manner in a compassionate and engaging way. 

Will Jellyfish Rule the World? By Leo Hickman

Environmentalists will love Will Jellyfish Rule the World?, an intriguing and fun handbook with everything they need to know on climate change. Written by The Guardian’s green expert, this book will help answer big and little questions about climate change, from the causes and effects to the actions we can all take to help make a difference.

Human Body (Ripley’s Believe It or Not!)

Ripley’s are known for some of the most outrageous and wackiest things in the world, but it turns out nothing is more amazing than the human body! Young readers will delight, squeal and squirm over the weirdest facts about the body, from the world’s longest tongue to the man with s-t-r-e-t-c-h-y skin. With classic Ripley’s humour, this giggle-inducing book will introduce readers to the science behind nature’s greatest achievement: the human body.

Itch by Simon Mayo

Young scientists will find a hero in Itch, an accidental, accident-prone science-lover. Itch just loves chemistry, and is an element-hunter, trying to collect all the elements in the periodic table. One day, Itch makes a discovery - he’s found a new element! But soon someone wants this prized possession and Itch is quickly plunged into a high-stakes adventure. 

The Matilda Effect by Ellie Irving

Matilda, the plucky protagonist from The Matilda Effect wants to be a famous inventor, so she enters the school science fair. Despite her excellent invention, she doesn’t win, all because the judges didn’t believe she came up with the entry by herself. Because she’s a girl. Dejected, Matilda discovers something similar is happening to her Grandma, an astrophysicist, whose discovery of a new planet is about to win a Nobel Prize - only to be claimed by somebody else! It’s a race against time to crash the award ceremony and reveal the truth. Will they make it? This adventurous tale is full of positive and empowering messages for both girls and boys.