Energy: 25 Projects Investigate Why We Need Power
And How to Get It
Kathleen M. Reilly, Illustrated by Mary Takacs-Moore

Energy is an important part of our lives. It powers our computer, lights our home, and moves our car. It also costs a lot of money, pollutes our environment, and leads to conflict.

Energy is a valuable resource that comes in many different forms. In Energy: 25 Projects Investigate Why We Need Power and How We Get It kids ages 9–12 learn about the history and science of the world’s sources of energy, from nonrenewable fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Sidebars and fun trivia break up the text, making it easily accessible and engaging, while hands-on projects encourage active learning. Requiring little adult supervision and using supplies commonly found in most households, activities range from constructing a battery to recreating an oil spill to explore how difficult cleanup can be.

Finding new energy sources and moving away from fossil fuel dependency will be a major theme of this century. By exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each energy source and probing the frontiers of new development in energy production and conservation, kids will gain insight into the future of energy and its impact on our planet.