Forces and Movement cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
Book Level 6.5
Points 1.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Nonfiction
Word Count 6370
Points per Word 0.000157
Page Count 32
Points per Page 0.03125

Description

This book describes weight, friction, and upthrust and how these forces combine to make ships float and planes fly. It also introduces revolutionary thinkers, from Archimedes to Newton, who have helped us make sense of forces.

Quick Summary

If you've ever wondered why a massive steel ship can float while a tiny paper airplane zooms through the air, this little guide breaks it down in a way that actually makes sense. Riley weaves the stories of Archimedes, Newton, and other pioneers into the science of weight, friction, and upthrust, showing how their ideas still power modern ships and planes. It's perfect for kids who love a good story mixed with a dash of real physics, and even reluctant readers will find the short chapters and bite-size explanations easy to handle. Parents will appreciate that the book balances factual depth with a conversational tone, and there's no scary stuff just a few dramatic moments when a plane's lift is explained with a cool experiment. If you liked the way "The Story of Science" series combined history and science, you'll feel right at home here.