The Acadia Files: Summer Science

The Acadia Files #1

by Katie Coppens, Holly Hatam (Illustrations)

Acadia Greene wants answers. Who keeps stealing her blueberries just as they ripen on the bushes? Why is her hair curly? Why does the sun wake her up so early in the summer? Why does the tide submerge her sandcastles? How do rocks become sand? Acadia doesn’t set out to do science, but she has these important questions and her scientist parents refuse to simply feed her the answers. “Conduct an experiment,” they tell her. “Use the scientific method.” So Acadia gathers evidence, makes hypotheses, designs experiments, uses the results to test her hypotheses, and draws conclusions. Acadia does science.
The author, Katie Coppens writes a recurring column for NSTA's middle school magazine Science Scope on science and literacy called "The Integrated Classroom."



 

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Childrens, Nature, Stem, Realistic Fiction

88 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2021

About the author

Katie Coppens is a middle school English and science teacher. She writes fiction and nonfiction books that integrate science. Katie can be reached at contactkatiecoppens@gmail.com.

Reviews

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Acadia Files: Summer Investigations' by Katie Coppens with illustrations by Holly Hatam is about a young girl who is curious about the world around her, and some parents who set her on the path of the scientific method to help her find answers.

Part storybook, part investigative journal, there are 5 chapters that teach different science principals. From missing blueberries, and where sand comes from, to tides and gravity. Each chapter has a story where Acadia tries to figure things out. The chapter ends with experiments to try, new words and concepts that are introduced, and additional questions that Acadia comes up with.

The world of S.T.E.M. has produced a whole plethora of science books for young readers. I've read some really bad ones and some really good ones. This falls in to the really good category. Rather than just beat the reader over the head with "SCIENCE," the author, who is an educator, has created an interesting narrative framework for why science matters.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Tilbury House, Myrick Market‌ing & Media LLC, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a 3.5 for me, and I really regret that I had it on my shelf for so long without reading it. While summer time is the ideal time for relaxing and catching up on some reading, it's also perfect for exploring questions relevant to the particular season. Ten-year-old Acadia Greene is curious about many things, including who's been eating her blueberries and why the sun's beams shine so brightly so early in the morning when she'd prefer it to be darker so that she can sleep in. Her parents are both scientists, and while they know the answer to her questions, they suggest that she use the scientific method to find some possible answers. Armed with a notebook and ready to collect data, Acadia does just that. In addition to the previously mentioned topics, she looks into genetics and Punnett Squares, traces the origins of sand on the beach, and charts high tide and low tide. The book is set up to contain parts of her notebook with notes, sketches, diagrams, and even things that she's still wondering about. That last point might be my favorite part of the book since many of us will still be curious and want to learn more about a topic after our initial questions have been answered. This is a solid addition to a science classroom library because it makes science so practical and accessible.

[Laura Jambard-Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you find a book that feels like fate - those are the vibes with this one! I am sure some of it’s that the book takes place in Maine and we live in Maine but it is more than that! The author truly understands that her audience is kids; sometimes I read a children’s book and roll my eyes because it’s not written in a way children can enjoy and understand it! This book was so enjoyable for every member of our family from 38 years old to 4 years old! I love how the five topics were broken down to separate chapters that felt like their own short story. And Acadia’s journal entries were so neat because they looked like actual journal entries that a curious kid her age would make! And my son’s third grade teacher is named Acadia! There is also a lesson on kindness which was a nice bonus! I am excited to start book two, which is Autumn, when the season changes over next week! 📗🍁🍂

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acadia Greene is a young girl who wants answers. Because her parents are both teachers, rather than just giving her the answers, they make her figure them out herself and will help her on her way. Her father encourages her to use the scientific method to solve her questions so she works from research to hypothesis, evidence gathering, and final conclusion. She puts all of her information down in her science journal as all good scientists should.

I really enjoy how these books encourage kids to think outside of the box and to question the world around them. The fact that they read like a story and are questions that kids really would have helps. Another wonderful part of these books is that at the end of each chapter/question, we get to see inside of Acadia’s science journal.

[Willow Academy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so wanted to like these. The writing is pretty meh. The first story immediately made me role my eyes as Acadia went on an unfounded angry rant about another character stealing her berries when he wasn't even around. The language of the two children talking to each other was very typical of a school setting (bullying) and not something I feel like I need to promote. This immediately went on my donate pile and we won't even be reading it for school as I had originally planned.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book to empower girls to love science. My daughter is 7 years old and loves the adventure Acadia goes on, but with that all the informational science concepts tied into the story. My daughter loved it so much we ordered the other book right away. Nature, science, girl power.....its all there.

[Aeicha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Acadia Files series is a fun and engaging way to introduce and get young readers excited about science and STEM subjects. In each book the author shares five short tales about ten-year-old Acadia exploring the world around her and using science to answer big questions. Informative, thoughtful, and a lot of fun, this series is sure to be hit with curious kids.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My six-year-old grandson enjoyed hearing this book read aloud to him. I highly recommend this entertaining and factual approach to science for all children. As a former children’s librarian and middle school librarian I am extremely impressed with The Acadia Files.

[ScienceTeacher321 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun way for kids to learn science!

[Hannawin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My little cousins have really enjoyed this series!

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super interesting and my son and I learned so much. Acadia Files is a great series for little kids so they can learn more about science

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great juvenile fiction book to introduce the scientific method to elementary schoolers

[Tori Hopper]

The Acadia Files is a great resource to use to help school-age readers understand the scientific method, as it models the process for readers. The information is great and at the end of each chapter are charming field notes of Acadia's hypotheses, procedures, materials, and more. It's a great way to begin discussions about the scientific process. I think this book was written with read-alouds in mind, as the verb tenses change in some chapters, making the prose seem somewhat awkward, but it's not so noticeable that it snags the storytelling aspect. It's such a fun and unique tool for students!