Integrating science and literacy content gets a boost every March when the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Children’s Book Council release their list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12. Each year since 1973, the two organizations have been selecting high quality, engaging, and scientifically accurate books from publishers of books for children and young people.

According to NSTA, this year’s list “covers everything from frogs to cars and takes students from the frigid Antarctic all the way to sunny Kenya.” The 2009 list is available online at http://www.nsta.org/publications/ostb/ostb2009.aspx?lid=exp

Along with descriptions of the books’ content, reviewers give their recommendations for reading levels, from K-2 and 3-5 to intermediate grades and high school. Relevant science education standards are also indicated.

Titles are grouped by category, including archaeology, anthropology, and paleontology; biography; earth and space science; environment and ecology; life science; physical science; and technology and engineering.

The Virtual Bookshelf in each issue of Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears highlights trade books for young readers that expand on the theme of the issue –animals of the polar regions, climate and ecosystems, plants and more.