BOOKS

Weird but True Gross: 300 Slimy, Sticky, and Smelly Facts

208p. (Weird but True). illus. index. photos. National Geographic. Mar. 2016. lib. ed. $17.90. ISBN 9781426323362. pap. $7.99. ISBN 9781426323355.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2–4—For many children, "gross" and "fascinating" are synonymous. This latest series installment provides plenty of fodder over which readers can marvel and exclaim. This volume reads like a collection of Pinterest quotes. Each page contains one or two brief facts, most of which are related to bodily fluids or processes—all illustrated with photos and typeset in colorful, eye-catching fonts. Some are historical: "During the 1500s, Brits soaked fabrics in stale urine to help bind color dyes to cloth." Others refer to world records or interesting statistics. There is a detailed subject index and a complete listing of photo credits, but no source references.
VERDICT Visually appealing and absolutely disgusting, this highly browsable book is best for the "general facts" shelves in public and school libraries.
Reviewed by Maggi Rohde, Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI , Jun 01, 2016

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BLOGS

Read Rec Rachel: New YA Releases for November and December 2024
by Rachel Strolle
BLOGS

Surviving the Slow Burn of Middle Grade, a guest post by Shannon Messenger
by Amanda MacGregor
BLOGS

Mysteries and the Teenage Search for Identity, a guest post by Jan Gangsei
by Amanda MacGregor
BLOGS

Co-Writing a Story of Trans Joy Across a Barbed Wire Fence, a guest post by Teghan Hammond and Mel Hammond
by Amanda MacGregor
BLOGS

Falling in Love with History, a guest post by Tonya Bolden
by Amanda MacGregor
BLOGS

Why Anthologies? A guest post by Henry Herz
by Amanda MacGregor
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?