This informational magazine introduces interesting topics in an informative, but engaging way. The quirky questions answered through the magazine’s articles show just how intriguing science can be, and help dispel thoughts that science is dull and boring or inaccessible. The articles present information from a variety of scientific disciplines and math fields, and can help encourage children to critically think about the world around them and question how things work—because the answers are fun! This may be a useful tool in creating or sustaining interest in STEM fields, and a valuable extracurricular resource to children who are struggling in the field or who enjoy the field. The magazine is replete with quality pictures and illustrations that visually convey the information presented in the article, which can help to engage different types of learners while encouraging growth in visual literacy. This can be helpful in cementing skills in the sciences, such as familiarity understanding graphs and reading through these types of charts for information. Some of the topics may do best when grounded in conversations with parents or educators, such as articles on racism or the survival chances of future humans, but each article provides the basis for engaging and fulfilling conversations. Recommended for purchase. Ages 8 and up. ( )

Billed as “the magazine of life, the universe, and pie throwing,” the subscription-based “Muse” is published nine times a year. With the exception of a regularly running comic, the features in this issue are all nonfiction. The theme of the issue is “Fooling Our Senses.” One article explains how artificial ingredients in food affects how we experience how food feels in our mouths. Another feature allows readers to test their sense of smell with a scratch-and-sniff quiz. In addition, an article describes an experiment that tested whether violin players could identify new or old instruments by sound alone. In all, there are articles that address all of the five senses. The magazine’s regular features include lots of interactive pieces: reader letters, a project-based contest, even a column written by readers. There’s also an interesting set of short articles in which readers are challenged to identify the one false story. Sort of like a news quiz for children. The magazine seems aimed at middle-school-age kids — it would be a great general interest periodical for a middle-school classroom. The only advertising is for other products offered by publisher Cricket. ( )