From static electricity to circuits and beyond, a broad spectrum of everything surrounding electricity comes to light with facts and hands-on possibilities.

After beginning with a time-line of various historical highlights surrounding electricity, the book heads on into various chapters, which address an array of themes surrounding electricity. Each chapter starts out with a mini-cartoon of a boy and a robot before heading into the information. And this book is packed with information. Not only are various aspects, theories, and facts, but there are links to videos and more. Questions sprinkled here and there invite to deeper thought, while vocabulary corners reinforce important terms. Extra accounts and side-information are held in extra frames to offer a well-rounded view into the themes. And there are several experiments at the end of each chapter, which give readers a chance to get hands on and explore on their own. Add a quick glossary/vocabulary quiz at the end of the book, and it's got a bit of everything needed to really dive into the subject.

Science fans, especially those leaning toward engineering and electricity, are going to find a smorgasbord of facts and insights. It is a lot and brings in many unexpected side-directions, which actually help readers understand the topics and see the world in a broader light. This isn't a book which can or should be digested in one sitting but is one to be revisited and expanded upon. It does hit upon many themes very quickly, so those who have absolutely no understanding of science will be overwhelmed (such as a little, very basic atom knowledge).

The variety of material (videos, questions, vocabulary, photos, historical aspects, etc) does seem a bit much, at first, but it offers so many possible directions, giving something for everyone. Plus, it offers readers a chance to come back at will to learn something more, even later on. This also keeps the usual 'tunnel' concept science books offer at bay and demonstrates how broad life truly is even when looking at a certain topic such as electricity. So, it's a rich, well-thought out read.

There are about three experiments per chapter, all of which are grouped together toward the end. These rotate around mostly usual household items. The directions are well-laid out and pretty easy to follow. Some have a quick illustration for added assistance but the text is key in these. Some are more difficult than others, so that this also addresses readers of various interests and skills.

I was surprised how encompassing this book is and find it very well done. It's not for light reading or those readers, who want a quick glance but rather hits many topics and themes. It's actually very useable for homeschoolers or groups learning about electricity and will give them a very good overview at the various aspects and important themes, which will be needed during later education. I received a complimentary copy and was surprised how thorough this one is. ( )