What
is the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books?
With funding
from Subaru, AAAS and SB&F created an award honoring outstanding
science books for children and young adults. The SB&F Prizes
began in 2005 by looking back on decades of outstanding science
books and honoring five authors and one illustrator for their
lasting contribution to children's and young adult's science literature.
Beginning in 2006 the SB&F Prize will be awarded to recently
published, individual books. Read more about
the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize.
How
can I submit a book, video or software package for review?
SB&F reviews science-based books, videos and software
for all age groups (K-College, Teachers, and General Audience).
Due to the large amount of materials SB&F receives
to review, we are currently only considering materials with a
copyright of the current year. If you are a publisher, distributor
or author and would like your materials considered for review
you may contact the editor of SB&F
with your request.
How
can I order books reviewed by SB&F?
Many of our highly recommended books are available at our Online
Bookstore through Amazon.com.
In fact, if you are looking for great science books to give as
a gifts you will want to stop by our store to peruse the lists
our editors have compiled. We choose several books from each issue
of SB&F to highlight at our Store, only the latest
and greatest science books for children, teens and the general
public! We also have special categories of highly recommended
merchandise at our store: Science Gifts,
Field Guides, Books for Children,
Young Adults and Adults,
and Seasonal Items.
If you prefer to order directly from the publisher, visit our
Marketplace. Here you will find contact information
and links to a majority of the publishers we review for.
Can
I become an SB&F reviewer?
If you are a trained scientist, engineer, science educator, or
librarian and would like the opportunity to share your expertise
in science, mathematics and technology you may wish to volunteer
as an SB&F reviewer. Please contact Heather Malcomson
at hmalcoms@aaas.org, to
learn more about the benefits and rewards of becoming an SB&F
reviewer.
Who
are your reviewers?
Our reviewers are scientists in academia and industry, teachers,
librarians, and other science professionals. They are experts
in their fields and have a strong interest in science education.
By volunteering their time and expertise to SB&F our
reviewers have shown a commitment in helping the next generation
have a better understanding of science.
On
what criteria are your reviews written?
Reviewers are asked to "write a critical evaluation...describing
(1) the merits and/or demerits of the book or film and any accompanying
supplements, (2) the content, technical quality, instructional
value, (3) the audience(s) the material is most appropriate for
and why, and (4) how that material could be used for collateral
reading or viewing, reference, or classroom use."
SB&F reviewers summarize their overall opinion of materials
in terms of quality and level of difficulty by choosing ratings
symbols. When rating materials, reviewers take into account
the accuracy of scientific information, scope, quality of illustrations
or cinematography, and value when compared to other titles. Second
opinions are obtained for materials rated "Not Recommended."
Can I request a sample issue of SB&F?
Yes! If you would like to request a sample issue of SB&F
simple send us your name and address here
and we will send you a complimentary copy of the latest issue
of SB&F.
Who
subscribes to SB&F?
SB&F is written for librarians, media specialists,
curriculum supervisors, science teachers, and others responsible
for recommending or purchasing science materials. Thousands of
our subscribers use SB&F as their standard guide to
science materials. Read more of what SB&F
subscribers have to say about SB&F’s value.
If you make decisions about science selections for your school
or public library or educational institution, you will benefit
from this valuable "tool of the trade."
How
can I subscribe to SB&F?
You can subscribe to SB&F several ways. Subscribe online
HERE. Or fill out our subscription
order form and send it to us at SB&F, 1200 New
York Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20005. You can phone in your
subscription order to 1-800-783-4903. SB&F is also
available through all major subscription agencies.
I
am an SB&F subscriber, how do I log in to the subscriber
section of SB&F Online?
To log in
to the subscriber section of SB&F Online first click on "Subscribers
Enter Here" at the left-hand side of our homepage. You will
than need to enter your username and password. Your username is
the 7-digit customer number found on your mailing label. If your
customer number is 8-digits leave off the last digit when loggin
in. Your password is the 5-digit zip code in which your copy of
SB&F is sent to. (If you are a Canadian subscriber
your password is "canada". The password for all other
foreign subscribers is "foreign".) Once this information
is excepted you will be admitted to the subscriber section where
you can search our database, visit our Idea Corner, check your
account status and more. If you have trouble logging in or do
not know your username or password, please feel free to contact
us at sb&f@aaas.org.
How
do I place an advertisement in the print version of SB&F?
If you are a publisher, distributor or other company with a strong
appeal to the library or school market, an advertisement in SB&F
is a great place to reach your audience. SB&F reaches
thousands of librarians, media specialists, curriculum advisors,
science teachers and others responsible for recommending and purchasing
science materials. Check out the SB&F
Media Kit to see our affordable advertising rates. Or contact
our advertising manager, Chickona
Royster, to hear about current advertising specials.
Where
can I find a listing of science book publishers, video distributors,
science materials suppliers, and science educational services?
The SB&F Marketplace, of course!
Our Marketplace features contact information, descriptions and
links to over 30 companies and organizations that we know our
readers are interested in. Check back often, new listings are
being added all the time. If you are interest in listing your
company or organization on our Marketplace, click HERE!
I
have a science question, who can I ask?
While SB&F is not in the business of answering
science questions, another AAAS project is! Science
Update/Why Is It? answers questions submitted by students, teachers
and the general public on their weekly radio show. For more information
or to ask a question check out www.scienceupdate.com/mail.html.
How
can I find quality science books for my kids?
SB&F believes that many of the same components
that make a good children's book make a good children's science
book: the presentation, the organization, the language, and the
quality of illustrations. In addition, high-quality science books
must also be accurate and present scientific processes in a way
that can be understood by a child without misleading oversimplification.
Finally, good children's science books should encourage an interest
in science by prompting young readers to know more.
It is our mission at SB&F to help librarians, science
teachers, and parents choose the best science books available
for their children. If you are in the market for a few new science
books for your children, you may want to check out our Best
Lists. Each year we compile a list of the highly recommended
books from the previous year. Or, visit our Online
Store. An entire section of our Store is devoted to Children
and Young Adults. Here you will
find lists of highly recommended books, compiled by the editors
of SB&F, all available for purchase through Amazon.com.
What
is AAAS?
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS),
founded in 1848, is the world's largest federation of scientific
and engineering societies. It currently has more than 140,000
individual members and nearly 300 affiliated societies and academies
of science. AAAS publishes SB&F, along with Science,
the weekly professional journal. For more information on other
AAAS initiatives, visit them on the web at www.aaas.org.
Can
I suggest an article?
Besides reviewing over 120 books, films and software in each issue
of SB&F, we also run a special feature article and
accompanying bibliography. We are always open to suggestions from
our readers. If you have an idea, let us know! Send your ideas
to sb&f@aaas.org.
Does SB&F review science Web sites?
Many of the reviewers SB&F relies on to review books,
films and software have also donated their time to
Science NetLinks (SNL), another AAAS initiative. SNL is a
comprehensive homepage for science teachers. Along with lesson
plans for K-12 educators, an integral part of SNL are their Web
site reviews. SB&F and SNL work closely together to
review both print and electronic media. We began printing
these Web site reviews in the pages of SB&F in the
September/October 2002 issue.
I
am an SB&F reviewer, how can I submit my review online?
Reviews can
be submitted online at http://www.sbfonline.com/ReviewForm.html.
Other questions concerning your review can be sent to sb&f@aaas.org.
