by Sarah Albee
Illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen
Published by Charlesbridge
Published Oct. 2024
48 Pages
Hardcover
Nonfiction
Review copy provided by publisher
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Goodreads Summary
Ever wondered what makes rubber bounce? Or why it's stretchy? And WHY is rubber so . . . rubbery?! Learn the fascinating science and history behind this ubiquitous material!With sidebars, graphics, fun facts, and more, the history of rubber reveals plenty of fascinating secrets and surprises. Elementary school readers will discover that early balls didn't bounce; that people in the rainforest made waterproof gear from rubber thousands of years before Europeans got into the act; and that sneakers, bicycles, and cars created demand for more and more rubber!
Back matter includes a time line and a bit about the complicated implications of harvesting rubber.
My Thoughts
If someone had asked me if I would like to read a nonfiction book about the scientific history of rubber, I would probably have passed on then opportunity. But if they told me that the book was written by Sarah Albee, I would jump at the chance. Sarah Albee takes a mundane topic, like rubber, and turns it into a fascinating book that combines the history behind the substance as well as the science behind how rubber works.
I absolutely love how this book is structured alternating bits of history followed by scientific information about rubber including the chemistry that makes it behave the way it does. Readers are exposed to rich content-specific vocabulary throughout the text.
The illustrations are engaging and help readers understand the historical and scientific content.
I can't wait to add this book to my school library!