Sneeze!

by Alexandra Siy, Dennis Kunkel (Illustrator)

There's something in the air--pollen, dust mites, mold spores, dust, goose down, cat hair, pepper, flu viruses, and bright light--that's causing these nine kids to sneeze. Vivid, full color micrographs show the pesky allergens and irritants that cause the sneeze reflex, while simple scientific text explains how the impulse to sneeze is created inside the body. Glossary and other resources included.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, School

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Alexandra Siy is a science writer for kids, merging STEM and art to make STEAM! Many of her titles use primary source scientific imagery to reveal both outer space and the microscopic, inviting young readers to enter worlds that can only be visited using science and technology. Worlds where spiders are superheroes, insects are much more than bugly, a simple sneeze is a micro-second adventure through the body, and the interstellar age is now. Alexandra is also a photographer and the creator of instastem.com, a STEM inspired photography workshop that gets kids reading writing, and creating their own science-as-art photographs. As a visiting author, she travels to schools and libraries nationwide, sharing her passion for science, books, and photography. She's also worked as a teacher in diverse communities, including Alaska and Colorado. Alexandra lives in New York State on her 73-acre sustainable family forest with her teenage son and their cat.

Reviews

[Janelle]

This is a great book to understand the causes for 9 different sneezes and the physical process that produces it. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I'm not sure the audience for this book. Most the photos are of children and it's written like speaking to a child. But the anatomical vocabulary and explanations are high for an grade school readers.

[Elaine]

The pictures were quite impressive as they were magnified pictures of allergens, but the I felt like I was reading something written by a germaphobe.

[meme]

I like this book because it makes connections to life experiences and helps construct ideas about science teaching through interactions with peers if made a classroom activity.

The book is about air-pollen, dust mites, mold spores, dust, goose down, cat hair, pepper, flu viruses, and bright light-that's causing nine different kids to sneeze. Vivid, full color micrographs show the pesky allergens and irritants that cause the sneeze reflex, while simple scientific text explains how the impulse to sneeze is created inside the body. The micrographs magnify the tiny sneeze-inducing irritants, as well as human nerves and neurons, 400 to 222,220 times larger than life. The book is so entertaining it can be used as a read out loud in class, then one can expand the project to a book report or analysis of the pictures and specific allergens.

[CH _Kenya Walker]

In this informational text nine kids discover nine different reasons for sneezing -- from allergens and dust mites to bright light and viruses. Incredible micrographs magnify the tiny sneeze-inducing irritants, as well as human nerves and neurons, 400 to 222,220 times larger than life. This is a good resource to use in the class to help engage students into a lesson about any of these topics. The book is lively with illustrations that pop right off the page.

[Shawn Elswick]

This book is one of the stranger ones Ive found. It shows how different kids learn about different ways/reasons to sneeze. Its funny seeing all of these ways and it makes for a good read. its entertaining and easy to follow.

[Lisa]

The pictures are fantastic due to the bright colors on the black background. The information is good and interesting. The labels on the pictures are interesting too. A fantastic nonfiction book.

[Candi]

Ages 7 to 10

[Suzanne Kerfin]

great pictures from under a microscope to explain what makes people sneeze
non fiction, graphic sources, glossary

[Natalie]

This book is all about sneezing.

[James]

Enjoyable one-sitting science book with groovy electron micrograph images.

[Tara]

Uses simple language and detailed pictures to help the reader understand the basics of sneezing, what causes sneezing, and why. For someone who sneezes a lot, this book was enlightening :)

[Shannon Sevcik]

Grades 2-5

Germs

[Erica Leach]

The pictures showed microscopic things that make you want to sneeze. Which was very interesting to see what does.

[Monica]

Want to know the science behind a sneeze? Well this definitely has it covered. Also the origin of the custom of saying "God bless you."

[Haley Johnson]

The book Sneeze! is all bout infections and the process behind getting sick. This book would be good in the classroom for a germ lesson. Grades 3-5 should read this book.

[Terry]

Go to the Reading Tub for the book review.