School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8-Combining well-written text with a graphic-novel format, this innovative series supplies adolescents with authoritative information about the human body. Each page presents two to five cartoon frames with captions. Parts such as brains, cells, and neurons are represented by cartoonish characters who spew authoritative facts captured in speech bubbles. These titles directly tackle myths and misconceptions and make use of analogies to facilitate the discussion of complex concepts. For example, the author compares possible artery damage caused by high blood pressure compared to how bicycle tires will explode when overfilled with air and compares red bone marrow to "a factory that produces cells vital for supporting life." Although somewhat unconventional because of its format, this series will be a welcome addition to most collections. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
In this engaging and surprisingly informative series, digital drawings offer visual tours inside the human body. Using correct terminology, the clearly written text conveys information in small, easy-to-handle word boxes that relate directly to the simplified but clearly delineated drawings of body parts. Cells and organs are occasionally depicted as friendly little characters with rounded bodies, a few facial features, and skinny arms and legs. These characters cavort through the comics-style panels as they demonstrate their jobs and make occasional comments in speech balloons. Circulatory features cells with straws slurping oxygen and nutrients from the blood as it flows past. The latest additions to the Building Blocks of Science series, these books are only available as part of the full eight-book set. But the combination of simple text, clear illustrations, and cartoonlike characters makes this a useful and uncommonly accessible series.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2014 Booklist
