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raisingself's review against another edition
4.0
Extreme Abilities is an easy and interesting book about people with (you guessed it) extreme abilities. The book presents a short biography of a person with a unique ability and proceeds to explain the scientific how. This book was interesting with a touch of humor. A good way to diversify your children’s literature with scientific non-fiction. The book also includes a “hazard alert” to warn children against trying some of the superhuman stunts in the book.
abe25's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Great children’s book about extreme abilities!
aedgeworth27's review against another edition
4.0
@kidlitexchange #partner I received a copy of this book from KidLitExchange Network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book releases on April 9, 2019. ——————— Another great book from @annick_press !!! Extreme Abilities is exciting and interesting stories of unusual and abnormal human feats and the sciences behind them. But it’s more than just a more scienc-y Guinness Book of World Records. This book doves deeper into how our bodies work to conquer superhuman feats. I loved how the author explained how readers could practice or train their bodies to also accomplish the incredible things they are learning. This book had a great balance of captivating stories and educational facts and would be great for teaching kids about the human bodies.
kateteaching7and8's review against another edition
4.0
@Kidlitexchange #partner - Thank you to the @Kidlitexchange network and the publisher for the advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science Behind Them by Galadriel Watson and illustrated by Cornelia Li focuses on the amazing physical and intellectual capabilities of the human body. Topics covered include strongmen, contortionists, human calculators, mermaids (not the mythological creature, but the ama of Japan), sprinters, and more. In each chapter, Watson introduces the topic with a fantastical and true story of an individual completing something that seems impossible. For example, chapter 1 introduces us to Louis Cyr who on May 27, 1895 lifted a platform holding 18 men and weighing 4,336 pounds off its supports and over his shoulders. The book is well researched and goes into the science behind how these feats can be done. Each chapter also includes a "Hazard Alert!" reminding the reader of the dangers of attempting feats like this and a section titled "Over to You" that gives tips on how to safely increase your skills in certain areas related to the topic of the chapter.
I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a very quick read. While it does dive into the scientific side of each amazing feat, it is done in a way in which middle grade readers will not only understand, but stay engaged with. As a middle school teacher, I would be concerned with my students attempting to do some of these things (like holding their breath underwater for extended periods of time), so I also like the addition of the "Hazard Alert!" and "Over to You" sections. My favorite chapters were actually the two about extreme intellectual abilities. I even learned a new math trick from one of the chapters. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science Behind Them by Galadriel Watson and illustrated by Cornelia Li focuses on the amazing physical and intellectual capabilities of the human body. Topics covered include strongmen, contortionists, human calculators, mermaids (not the mythological creature, but the ama of Japan), sprinters, and more. In each chapter, Watson introduces the topic with a fantastical and true story of an individual completing something that seems impossible. For example, chapter 1 introduces us to Louis Cyr who on May 27, 1895 lifted a platform holding 18 men and weighing 4,336 pounds off its supports and over his shoulders. The book is well researched and goes into the science behind how these feats can be done. Each chapter also includes a "Hazard Alert!" reminding the reader of the dangers of attempting feats like this and a section titled "Over to You" that gives tips on how to safely increase your skills in certain areas related to the topic of the chapter.
I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a very quick read. While it does dive into the scientific side of each amazing feat, it is done in a way in which middle grade readers will not only understand, but stay engaged with. As a middle school teacher, I would be concerned with my students attempting to do some of these things (like holding their breath underwater for extended periods of time), so I also like the addition of the "Hazard Alert!" and "Over to You" sections. My favorite chapters were actually the two about extreme intellectual abilities. I even learned a new math trick from one of the chapters. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
etienne02's review against another edition
4.0
I though I already review this one but it seem I didn't... Anyway, this was an interesting book about extreme abilities (physical and intellectual as well depending on the case). The book is organized in a way where it present a person, kind of a short biography, who had strange or unusual ability and then explain scientifically how that was possible or how it function. Intriguing funny facts that are always cool to learn about and a scientific explanations to go with it. Well done!
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