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Scientists in the Field
Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vests, Sutures, and Parachute Rope
In The Spider Silk Scientists, readers enter Randy Lewis' lab where they come face to face with golden orb weaver spiders, as their silk is combined with goat's milk to weave a nearly indestructible fiber.
Learn how this amazing material can be used to repair or replace human ligaments and bones, improve body armor, strenghten parachute rope, and even tether an airplane to an aircraft carrier! Readers explore rapid advancements in the application of genetic medicine and their potential to save and improve lives while considering the crucial ethical concerns of genetic research.
A timely addition to the acclaimed Scientists in the Field series.
Learn how this amazing material can be used to repair or replace human ligaments and bones, improve body armor, strenghten parachute rope, and even tether an airplane to an aircraft carrier! Readers explore rapid advancements in the application of genetic medicine and their potential to save and improve lives while considering the crucial ethical concerns of genetic research.
A timely addition to the acclaimed Scientists in the Field series.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 25, 2016
Another title in the HMH series, Scientists in the Field, this one has the hallmark features: A lot of carefully written text, and a photographer taking original photos for the project.
One of the surprising features of this series is the text density, and the no-holds-barred use of the science vocabulary--it's really thick. I wonder if the editors went this direction because of how CCSS encourages the reading of 'complex text'? At any rate, I find it refreshing that the series assumes children learn vocabulary by reading it, not that they have to know it in advance in order to read. How Children Learn the Meanings of Words Key terms are repeated often enough in context to give readers multiple high-quality 'hits' on new meanings and words . Bridget Heos has likely spent time trying to explain science to kids, because she reviews and re-explains things that might become confusing for young readers. As an adult I found this an annoying delay in the aesthetic experience, but I see why she did it.
The narrative development of the science of these transgenic animals is fascinating! What we have here is a children's book on a specific thread of genetic engineering. As with other titles in the series, the text and pictures focus on the actual scientists and their work: Randy Lewis, Holly Steinkraus, and Heather Rothmann show up throughout the text. There is a balance of men and women scientists, but Heos and Comins have made sure that women feature prominently as key scientists throughout the whole text. All of the science is presented in context of this search for how to make spider web protein in large quantities.
One of the surprising features of this series is the text density, and the no-holds-barred use of the science vocabulary--it's really thick. I wonder if the editors went this direction because of how CCSS encourages the reading of 'complex text'? At any rate, I find it refreshing that the series assumes children learn vocabulary by reading it, not that they have to know it in advance in order to read. How Children Learn the Meanings of Words Key terms are repeated often enough in context to give readers multiple high-quality 'hits' on new meanings and words . Bridget Heos has likely spent time trying to explain science to kids, because she reviews and re-explains things that might become confusing for young readers. As an adult I found this an annoying delay in the aesthetic experience, but I see why she did it.
The narrative development of the science of these transgenic animals is fascinating! What we have here is a children's book on a specific thread of genetic engineering. As with other titles in the series, the text and pictures focus on the actual scientists and their work: Randy Lewis, Holly Steinkraus, and Heather Rothmann show up throughout the text. There is a balance of men and women scientists, but Heos and Comins have made sure that women feature prominently as key scientists throughout the whole text. All of the science is presented in context of this search for how to make spider web protein in large quantities.
August 18, 2013
I'd rate this 4.5 since it is certainly a well-written and well-photographed entry in the Scientists in the Field series. Although much of the book follows scientist Randy Lewis and his work with spider silk DNA and goats, there are also intriguing sections about alfalfa, silkworms, and goats. The book contains excellent explanations of the process of implanting goats with the DNA to possibly produce milk that contains proteins that can be spun into spider silk. The process of harvesting silk is tedious and time-consuming, but scientists are convinced that this engineered silk could be exceptionally strong and have many uses. Not only does the book discuss and illustrate the harvesting process, but the author is careful to acknowledge the controversy associated with transgenic plants and animals. This is another must-have for the science classroom shelf or for any classroom in which teachers want to encourage students to debate the pros and cons of medical advances.
June 7, 2017
More from my favorite Scientists in the Field series - I thought this one was going to be about spiders, and it was, BUT it's about making silk from spiders (and alfalfa and goats!!) Fascinating new science explained in a way that kids will really understand - might be a bit long-winded at times but this is serious science! P.S. There's lots of amazing photo's included so be warned arachnophobes...
October 4, 2018
This interesting book gets pretty technical, so it would be best for middle school and high school science enthusiasts. The book is not so much about spiders as it is about whether scientists can make more spider silk by injecting those spider silk DNA parts into other species, such as goats, alfalfa, silkworms. The author goes into detail about all these processes. The author also talks about the various applications the artificially produced spider silk could make, such as medical sutures, space suits, bullet-proof vests, etc. It is illustrated with lots of excellent photos.
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June 28, 2021Love this series. Aimed at kids, and being discussed in Children's Books group here on GR, June 2021, but for all ages really.
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Carefully skimming. I'm just a little troubled that it doesn't address a certain controversy head-on, the idea of 'farming' animals (that practice which bothers vegans). Note that I, personally, am not significantly bothered by that. But I am concerned that young readers of the book might be surprised when they eventually learn of the controversy and not know enough to protect their understandings from pseudo-scientists. I hope that I'm wrong; after all, youngsters are learning more about how real science works these days, and are less susceptible to nonsense than many grown folk. And the section covering the controversy about transgenic creations is very good. So a person who reads the book carefully will probably be well-prepared anyway.
Other than that small concern, great book, worthy of a great series.
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Carefully skimming. I'm just a little troubled that it doesn't address a certain controversy head-on, the idea of 'farming' animals (that practice which bothers vegans). Note that I, personally, am not significantly bothered by that. But I am concerned that young readers of the book might be surprised when they eventually learn of the controversy and not know enough to protect their understandings from pseudo-scientists. I hope that I'm wrong; after all, youngsters are learning more about how real science works these days, and are less susceptible to nonsense than many grown folk. And the section covering the controversy about transgenic creations is very good. So a person who reads the book carefully will probably be well-prepared anyway.
Other than that small concern, great book, worthy of a great series.
January 3, 2016
I received an electronic ARC through NetGalley.
I was facinated by the book Stronger Than Steel by Bridget Heos (a part of the Scientists in the Field series). This book discusses that spider silk is actually stronger than steel and that it potentially could be used for artificial ligaments, bulletproof vests, sutures and fly fishing tippets. It gives a brief lesson on DNA, tells why we just can't raise spiders like we do silkworms, and then discusses the scientists' work with goats, alfalfa and silkworms to try to produce spider silk proteins and then spider silk. The work is fascinating. There are goats that are acually producing spider silk proteins in their milk! Scientists are able to extract these proteins and eventually spin actual spider silk. There is also work to see if spider silk might be better produced by plants (alfalfa is now being tested, but cotton is also a possiblity) or by another animal like silkworms (that can be more easily raised).
The ethics of transgenic organisms is discussed. Although the author does seem to prefer the pro-trangenic argument, the other side is also represented.
I also appreciated that this book seems to be written at a slightly lower level than others in the Scientists in the Field series. I felt that some of my fifth grade students might be able to read this book independently. There are good, but basic, explainations of the science used. I think this series is facinating, but most of the books are written at upper middle school and even high school levels.
I was facinated by the book Stronger Than Steel by Bridget Heos (a part of the Scientists in the Field series). This book discusses that spider silk is actually stronger than steel and that it potentially could be used for artificial ligaments, bulletproof vests, sutures and fly fishing tippets. It gives a brief lesson on DNA, tells why we just can't raise spiders like we do silkworms, and then discusses the scientists' work with goats, alfalfa and silkworms to try to produce spider silk proteins and then spider silk. The work is fascinating. There are goats that are acually producing spider silk proteins in their milk! Scientists are able to extract these proteins and eventually spin actual spider silk. There is also work to see if spider silk might be better produced by plants (alfalfa is now being tested, but cotton is also a possiblity) or by another animal like silkworms (that can be more easily raised).
The ethics of transgenic organisms is discussed. Although the author does seem to prefer the pro-trangenic argument, the other side is also represented.
I also appreciated that this book seems to be written at a slightly lower level than others in the Scientists in the Field series. I felt that some of my fifth grade students might be able to read this book independently. There are good, but basic, explainations of the science used. I think this series is facinating, but most of the books are written at upper middle school and even high school levels.
August 28, 2013
Ack, I didn't care for this book.
I found it kind of hard to follow. The nonfiction narrative read unfocused and confusing for me. I couldn't figure out the focus of the book at first. (Maybe I just need bullet points when talking about science!)
It was VERY obviously proGMO, and didn't even use the acronym GMO, but used transgenic instead. While she touched on ethics, it was a very one-sided discussion. She mentioned that some people were against GMOs but they were very valuable to society so (in other words, they don't know what they're talking about!) She never said anything about WHY people are against them. She also had a short mention of animal welfare, but once again, a very one-sided discussion, making it appear being a research animal is always a lovely experience. But then again, science books from my childhood wouldn't have even mentioned animal welfare, so I suppose it's an improvement.
The book ended with discussing the many valuable products that GMOs can create, which made me think the science was just all about making money.
The book did have nice pictures, and did a nice job of personalizing science, and perhaps garnering interest in science from young readers. But if I had a kid and they read that book, I'd be sure to show them the other side of the story.
I found it kind of hard to follow. The nonfiction narrative read unfocused and confusing for me. I couldn't figure out the focus of the book at first. (Maybe I just need bullet points when talking about science!)
It was VERY obviously proGMO, and didn't even use the acronym GMO, but used transgenic instead. While she touched on ethics, it was a very one-sided discussion. She mentioned that some people were against GMOs but they were very valuable to society so (in other words, they don't know what they're talking about!) She never said anything about WHY people are against them. She also had a short mention of animal welfare, but once again, a very one-sided discussion, making it appear being a research animal is always a lovely experience. But then again, science books from my childhood wouldn't have even mentioned animal welfare, so I suppose it's an improvement.
The book ended with discussing the many valuable products that GMOs can create, which made me think the science was just all about making money.
The book did have nice pictures, and did a nice job of personalizing science, and perhaps garnering interest in science from young readers. But if I had a kid and they read that book, I'd be sure to show them the other side of the story.
January 18, 2013
I received and ARC copy of this book from Netgalley.
When I saw this book's cover, I knew I had to read it. I'm not much of a spider person, but the idea that these creatures are able to produce something stronger than steel was a very interesting concept I wanted to share with my children.
This book was surprising in the regard that it had so much information and substance, and yet wasn't boring to read. The author uses a tone that children and young adults will no doubt like. This reads more like an informational conversation than actual learning material. The language used by the author is intelligent and yet not so formal that kids will fall asleep reading it.
The photos are really good, closeup shots that show the processes described in the book in action. My children enjoyed looking at the various photos and found them interesting enough to hold their attention.
I had not realized before reading this book, how much potential spider silk has and all of the various ways it can be used. I would think this book would be an amazing addition to any school library, or to the personal collection of any older child who has an interest in science.
When I saw this book's cover, I knew I had to read it. I'm not much of a spider person, but the idea that these creatures are able to produce something stronger than steel was a very interesting concept I wanted to share with my children.
This book was surprising in the regard that it had so much information and substance, and yet wasn't boring to read. The author uses a tone that children and young adults will no doubt like. This reads more like an informational conversation than actual learning material. The language used by the author is intelligent and yet not so formal that kids will fall asleep reading it.
The photos are really good, closeup shots that show the processes described in the book in action. My children enjoyed looking at the various photos and found them interesting enough to hold their attention.
I had not realized before reading this book, how much potential spider silk has and all of the various ways it can be used. I would think this book would be an amazing addition to any school library, or to the personal collection of any older child who has an interest in science.
April 16, 2019
Wonderful pictures and lots of information about the unique way spider silk is designed, but this text is HIGHLY subjective. Pro-GMOs and pushing "gene tinkering" in order to make cool things from spider silk. In other words, this book could have quoted Walt Disney by saying, "there's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day". Science without ethics is very dangerous. Ask Holocaust survivors about that.
The scientist in the book says transgenics will not lead to "designer babies" which is blatantly false (they are currently doing this in China!). I would not recommend this book for the classroom or home library.
The scientist in the book says transgenics will not lead to "designer babies" which is blatantly false (they are currently doing this in China!). I would not recommend this book for the classroom or home library.
July 3, 2026
Kind of dense while the beginning was pretty interesting. The threads of web woven by certain spiders are extremely strong and scientists wish to harvest it to produce a variety of products like Kevlar, parachute rope, even ligaments. Because it is difficult to harvest with the actual spiders, they have created transgenic goats which can produce the proteins in their milk. They are also trying alfalfa.
February 18, 2025
This is a fascinating book about harvesting spider silk for various industrial uses. A company in Canada, now defunct, engineered goats with a golden orb weaving spider's gene for silk production. These "transgenic" goat's milk can then be processed and the web proteins can be reconstituted to produce spider silk. They are trying to do the same with alfalfa. Crazy science!
July 1, 2017
Review by M.M.: "I liked how it showed how spiders' silk is stronger than steel. I dislike how the spiders look." 2.5 stars
November 21, 2019
Quirky book but the kids LOVED it.
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September 15, 2013Heos, B. (2013). Stronger than steel: Spider silk, DNA, and the quest for better bulletproof vests, sutures, and parachute rope. (Photos by Andy Comins). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 80 pp. ISBN: 978-0-547-68126-9. (Hardcover); $18.99.
As the world population increases and we continue to struggle with ways to feed and support ourselves expect to see an increased use of the phrase, transgenic organism. What do goats, alfalfa, and silkworms have in common? Spiders! Spider silk is universally acknowledged as one of the toughest and strongest materials on the planet. Spiders, however, do not play nicely together. They tend to eat each other. Farming spiders has not been successful. They are also small and extracting enough spider silk to, say, make a bulletproof vest is not practical. Dr. Randy Lewis, however, is exploring methods for the transfer of spider genes to goats, alfalfa, and silkworms. Transferring spider genes to other organisms, however, creates transgenic organisms. That is, life forms with genes from another organism inserted, which is extremely controversial. Stronger Than Steel examines the work that Dr. Lewis and others are doing, weighing the ethical concerns against the benefits that people could reap should scientist discover a method for harvesting vast quantities of spider silk, which is strong enough to stop a 747 airplane if woven into a rope with a one-inch diameter. In addition to plane stopping ropes and bulletproof vests, spider silk could be used for sutures in surgery, to repair ligaments, or as parachute ropes, and much more. Discovering how spiders can be connected with goats, alfalfa, and silkworms shows students that scientific inquiry is every bit as creative as any other human venture. Dealing with what this means ethically, makes this one of the Scientist in the Field series books that is, perhaps, more suited for high school students and older middle school students. However, as with all the books in this series, readers of all ages will be fascinated by all of the fabulous photography.
For those readers wishing to explore the Curriculum Guide link, here it is: (send me an email, info@spicyreads.org, put Stronger than Steel in the subject and I will send the live link to you): http://www.scribd.com/doc/135393652/S...
As the world population increases and we continue to struggle with ways to feed and support ourselves expect to see an increased use of the phrase, transgenic organism. What do goats, alfalfa, and silkworms have in common? Spiders! Spider silk is universally acknowledged as one of the toughest and strongest materials on the planet. Spiders, however, do not play nicely together. They tend to eat each other. Farming spiders has not been successful. They are also small and extracting enough spider silk to, say, make a bulletproof vest is not practical. Dr. Randy Lewis, however, is exploring methods for the transfer of spider genes to goats, alfalfa, and silkworms. Transferring spider genes to other organisms, however, creates transgenic organisms. That is, life forms with genes from another organism inserted, which is extremely controversial. Stronger Than Steel examines the work that Dr. Lewis and others are doing, weighing the ethical concerns against the benefits that people could reap should scientist discover a method for harvesting vast quantities of spider silk, which is strong enough to stop a 747 airplane if woven into a rope with a one-inch diameter. In addition to plane stopping ropes and bulletproof vests, spider silk could be used for sutures in surgery, to repair ligaments, or as parachute ropes, and much more. Discovering how spiders can be connected with goats, alfalfa, and silkworms shows students that scientific inquiry is every bit as creative as any other human venture. Dealing with what this means ethically, makes this one of the Scientist in the Field series books that is, perhaps, more suited for high school students and older middle school students. However, as with all the books in this series, readers of all ages will be fascinated by all of the fabulous photography.
For those readers wishing to explore the Curriculum Guide link, here it is: (send me an email, info@spicyreads.org, put Stronger than Steel in the subject and I will send the live link to you): http://www.scribd.com/doc/135393652/S...
March 17, 2013
Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vests, Sutures, and Parachute Rope by Bridget Heos and illustrated by Andy Comins is the newest addition to the venerable Scientists in the Field Series. It highlights scientist Randy Lewis’ quest to find a better way to obtain large quantities of spider silk for innovative new products.
Packed with so much information on different topics, it is hard to know where to start with this book. The first chapter introduces us to both spiders and to the basics of genetics. Why genetics? Because Randy Lewis is exploring ways to produce large quantities of spider silk via genetic engineering a variety of different organisms, starting with goats.
After spending some time getting acquainted with the adorable goats, the reader is off to learn about potential products that could be made from the silk protein expressed in the milk of the transgenic females. The next stop is transgenic alfalfa, then transgenic silkworms, then transgenic bacteria. In the chapter about “Transgenic Organisms: Ethical Concerns and Lifesaving Possibilities” we also meet transgenic pigs that contain a mouse gene and soybeans that are resistant to an herbicide. It is a whirlwind tour of bio engineering.
Interspersed, we also get to know more about Randy Lewis and his technicians and students, including some of the techniques and equipment they use, as well as a few details of their personal lives.
Because Stronger Than Steel covers so much ground, it is likely to spark an interest in children to delve more deeply into a number of different topics. Be prepared to pull out further readings and supply activities on topics ranging from bacteria to spider webs. The book will also be a useful resource for students doing reports on transgenic organisms, because it shows both the benefits and the struggles of introducing the genes from one organism into another. Finally, as with the other books in the Scientists in the Field Series, this one offers budding scientists an important glimpse into the lives of actual scientists.
For the related activities, see my review at Wrapped in Foil.
Packed with so much information on different topics, it is hard to know where to start with this book. The first chapter introduces us to both spiders and to the basics of genetics. Why genetics? Because Randy Lewis is exploring ways to produce large quantities of spider silk via genetic engineering a variety of different organisms, starting with goats.
After spending some time getting acquainted with the adorable goats, the reader is off to learn about potential products that could be made from the silk protein expressed in the milk of the transgenic females. The next stop is transgenic alfalfa, then transgenic silkworms, then transgenic bacteria. In the chapter about “Transgenic Organisms: Ethical Concerns and Lifesaving Possibilities” we also meet transgenic pigs that contain a mouse gene and soybeans that are resistant to an herbicide. It is a whirlwind tour of bio engineering.
Interspersed, we also get to know more about Randy Lewis and his technicians and students, including some of the techniques and equipment they use, as well as a few details of their personal lives.
Because Stronger Than Steel covers so much ground, it is likely to spark an interest in children to delve more deeply into a number of different topics. Be prepared to pull out further readings and supply activities on topics ranging from bacteria to spider webs. The book will also be a useful resource for students doing reports on transgenic organisms, because it shows both the benefits and the struggles of introducing the genes from one organism into another. Finally, as with the other books in the Scientists in the Field Series, this one offers budding scientists an important glimpse into the lives of actual scientists.
For the related activities, see my review at Wrapped in Foil.
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December 2, 2017The images in the book are photographs.
This book explains and teaches about many aspects of spiders, especially their silk. It goes into how strong spider silk is, and how hard it could be to recreate.
There was a ton of information about spiders, silk and even DNA. It even followed the real research that was going on to artificially create spider silk
This book explains and teaches about many aspects of spiders, especially their silk. It goes into how strong spider silk is, and how hard it could be to recreate.
There was a ton of information about spiders, silk and even DNA. It even followed the real research that was going on to artificially create spider silk
September 24, 2014
Goats who produce spider silk? Sounds like something out of a sci-fi book, but Bridget Heos takes reader to meet real live goats with spider silk proteins in their milk and the scientists behind this genetic research. Along the way, readers get to learn about DNA, genetic engineering, spiders, the ways spider silk could benefit society at large, debates about genetically modified organisms, and some other real, live sci-fi-ish creatures.
Where was this book when I was teaching Biology? It does such a fantastic job of breaking down genetic engineering, recombinant DNA, and cutting edge science in easy to understand language. And the best part, the cute goats are going to be a lot harder to forget than a school textbook. Like my favorite adult-aimed book on this topic, Frankenstein's Cat, Stronger than Steel also does a great job in fairly laying out both sides of the ethical issues related to genetic engineering.
I highly recommend this to any Biology or Life Science teachers. It has enough info to be used as a supplement to high school classes, and it is easy enough to be understood even by elementary kids.
Where was this book when I was teaching Biology? It does such a fantastic job of breaking down genetic engineering, recombinant DNA, and cutting edge science in easy to understand language. And the best part, the cute goats are going to be a lot harder to forget than a school textbook. Like my favorite adult-aimed book on this topic, Frankenstein's Cat, Stronger than Steel also does a great job in fairly laying out both sides of the ethical issues related to genetic engineering.
I highly recommend this to any Biology or Life Science teachers. It has enough info to be used as a supplement to high school classes, and it is easy enough to be understood even by elementary kids.
November 13, 2013
Stronger than Steel: Silk Spiders and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vests, Sutures, and Parachute Rope by Bridget Heos
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2013
Nonfiction Informational
Recommended for grades 4+
Stronger than Steel is part of the Scientists in the Field series, which features two other books that have made the Maine Student Book Award list in recent years: Saving the Ghost of the Mountain and The Mighty Mars Rover (on this year's list).
Filled with excellent photographs, this book takes readers deep into a subject they likely have very little background knowledge on: transgenics, and specifically, using spider genes in other animals!
Scientists know that spider silk is incredibly strong, but hard to harvest from spiders. Putting spider genes into sheep and silkworms might be the answer to easier harvesting...maybe. Some of what I read in here blew me away, and I think it will amaze many kids too.
I say 4th grade and up for recommendation, knowing that it might be a bit tough for most 4th graders. Those kids that eat up nonfiction might have a great time with this title though!
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2013
Nonfiction Informational
Recommended for grades 4+
Stronger than Steel is part of the Scientists in the Field series, which features two other books that have made the Maine Student Book Award list in recent years: Saving the Ghost of the Mountain and The Mighty Mars Rover (on this year's list).
Filled with excellent photographs, this book takes readers deep into a subject they likely have very little background knowledge on: transgenics, and specifically, using spider genes in other animals!
Scientists know that spider silk is incredibly strong, but hard to harvest from spiders. Putting spider genes into sheep and silkworms might be the answer to easier harvesting...maybe. Some of what I read in here blew me away, and I think it will amaze many kids too.
I say 4th grade and up for recommendation, knowing that it might be a bit tough for most 4th graders. Those kids that eat up nonfiction might have a great time with this title though!
December 6, 2013
While this was interesting, it wasn't great. The organization was weird--I felt like it would've made a lot more sense to start off by explaining more clearly why spider silk is so great, before explaining some of the ways scientists are using goats to create it. And the last section felt misplaced, too--it felt like the author had drawn the book to a close, but no! Here's something else sort of related. (It's not a necessary problem of nonfiction, either. In other sections of the book, this was handled better and the reader was referred to other sections or sidebars for additional explanations/ information.)
Overall, I felt the book was a strange combination of voices. At one moment, the author would be explaining really complicated ideas very lucidly, and the next, she would talk down to her reader, or use very simple sentence structure for things that aren't hard to understand, like a description of how a group of kids (baby goats) are playing on a bucket.
So I learned a lot--three stars!--but it's not a good book club purchase.
Overall, I felt the book was a strange combination of voices. At one moment, the author would be explaining really complicated ideas very lucidly, and the next, she would talk down to her reader, or use very simple sentence structure for things that aren't hard to understand, like a description of how a group of kids (baby goats) are playing on a bucket.
So I learned a lot--three stars!--but it's not a good book club purchase.
April 28, 2014
This book was fascinating and on its way to a solid four star rating until I hit the middle of the book. In the middle section, Heos introduces bio-engineered food with a very brief mention of Monsanto. The explanation for why people are opposed to Monsanto are only briefly addressed and presented in a dismissive manner. The same occurs a few pages later with the topic of animal testing. The view presented is clearly bias toward Monsanto and animal testing, which I would be ok with as long as the other side was addressed, but it is not.
The spider on the cover is deceiving, this is not a book to give a student wanting books about spiders. The focus is really on genetics and creating transgenic goats/silk worms/alfalfa and not really about the spiders. An interesting read and a great conversation starter for scientific ethics but I would include another book that gives the opposing viewpoint when recommending this title.
The spider on the cover is deceiving, this is not a book to give a student wanting books about spiders. The focus is really on genetics and creating transgenic goats/silk worms/alfalfa and not really about the spiders. An interesting read and a great conversation starter for scientific ethics but I would include another book that gives the opposing viewpoint when recommending this title.
May 10, 2013
I am fascinated by silk. I have raised silkworms a couple of times and wondered how did people gather spider silk? There is a picture of a shawl made by spider silk in this book. It took over 70 people four years to gather the silk to make the shawl. People would like to speed up the process, but spiders cannot be domesticated like silkworms. Spiders will eat each other in close confines. So people are trying different methods of trying to mass produce spider silk. This book talks about the way scientists are trying to inject genes for spider silk into different animals or plants to see if the spider silk can be made in a quicker fashion. It talks about goats, alfafa, and silkworms. This book is interesting because it talks about transgenetics, and explains how it could be useful.
February 5, 2017
This is a long, but fascinating look at how scientists are looking to natural materials to create new and better things and how they are experimenting with genetics to manufacture the needed material faster and in greater quantities.
It concerns me a bit to see that they are creating 'spider goats,' but on the whole, it appears to be a worthwhile project. The narrative is a bit dense, but we read just a little at a time so we didn't burn out. Our girls really liked the experiment to extract the DNA from a strawberry. Overall, it was a very good read.
interesting quote:
"All the cells in any given organism contain the same DNA, or genome. DNA is the physical substance. It contains the genome, which is the set of instructions. Think of DNA as the book and the genome as the story." (p. 32)
new words: lypholizer, sericin
It concerns me a bit to see that they are creating 'spider goats,' but on the whole, it appears to be a worthwhile project. The narrative is a bit dense, but we read just a little at a time so we didn't burn out. Our girls really liked the experiment to extract the DNA from a strawberry. Overall, it was a very good read.
interesting quote:
"All the cells in any given organism contain the same DNA, or genome. DNA is the physical substance. It contains the genome, which is the set of instructions. Think of DNA as the book and the genome as the story." (p. 32)
new words: lypholizer, sericin
February 12, 2014
What do goats and spiders have in common? Don't let the golden orb weaver on the front cover (or crawling up a five-year-old's face) creep you out. This Scientists in the Field book is about more than just spiders. It's about DNA, transgenic organisms like goats and alfalfa, potential spider silk products, diabetes, bacteria, the ethics of animal testing, and spider astronauts. The animal testing section would make a great launch pad for argument writing! The work scientists do is fascinating, and this series continues to make it accessible to kids. The goat photograph on the back is much cuter than the spider on the front, I must say.
November 4, 2014
Having heard of spider goats before, this was somewhat informative, especially as an introduction to the subject; however, if you want more detail on the subject matter and less human interest probably have to search elsewhere. Also, having a considerable aversion to spiders, the multiple pages of large pictures of spiders was not pleasant and even the vast amounts of interesting things that spider silk could do did not rid me of this phobia.
I will give them bonus points for presenting hard ethical questions for readers to ponder, and though the book does tend to point the reader in a specific direction on these issues, the author mostly refrains from giving her own opinions.
August 26, 2013
A topic I knew nothing about, but found fascinating! “Discover how goats are being genetically implanted with the golden orb weavers’ DNA to produce milk containing proteins that can be spun into nearly indestructible spider silk.” This research is being used to “develop materials that are stronger and more flexible than Kevlar, the material used in bulletproof vests.” Spider silk is extremely strong, and I love this fact from the book in referring to Spider Man movies, that one "could stop a 747 airplane with a rope of spider silk just one inch in diameter."
February 26, 2013
Reviewed for Shelf Awareness.
Another terrific addition to the Scientists in the Field series. It's incredible the work being done in genetics these days, and this is an entertaining and informative look for middle school readers.
On a side note, the adorable goat photos made up for the horror of the spider photos. (I know it's a cliche, but I really hate spiders. Did the photos really have to be quite so large and bright and colorful??)
Another terrific addition to the Scientists in the Field series. It's incredible the work being done in genetics these days, and this is an entertaining and informative look for middle school readers.
On a side note, the adorable goat photos made up for the horror of the spider photos. (I know it's a cliche, but I really hate spiders. Did the photos really have to be quite so large and bright and colorful??)
April 20, 2015
This was a fantastic book!
I have been reading nonfiction texts for inclusion in school libraries, and Stronger Than Steel has everything that I was looking for: researched information, student-friendly but also discipline-specific vocabulary and writing style, engaging subject matter, a glossary and index, and excellent pictures. This was a treat, and a book that I would heartily select for inclusion! Excellent for complex text standards as outlined by the CCSS.
I have been reading nonfiction texts for inclusion in school libraries, and Stronger Than Steel has everything that I was looking for: researched information, student-friendly but also discipline-specific vocabulary and writing style, engaging subject matter, a glossary and index, and excellent pictures. This was a treat, and a book that I would heartily select for inclusion! Excellent for complex text standards as outlined by the CCSS.
July 2, 2015
Spider silk DNA is being used to create tansgenic goats, alfalfa and even silk worms in order to produce more spider silk which has multiple uses due to its strength and elasticity.
Although a bit technical at times, this book includes a great section that would great for classroom debate on whether or not animals should be used for testing. Points for both sides of the issue are presented.
Excellent book for those interested in science, future careers in science, animals, and spiders.
Although a bit technical at times, this book includes a great section that would great for classroom debate on whether or not animals should be used for testing. Points for both sides of the issue are presented.
Excellent book for those interested in science, future careers in science, animals, and spiders.
August 25, 2013
An interesting addition to the superb Scientists in the Field series. Includes detailed information about spiders, and explores scientists' work to replicate spider silk DNA for use in products like Kevlar and sutures. Describes the processes that create transgenic animals and plants, and explains the controversy surrounding such creations.
September 10, 2013
An interesting and informative text that helps one to debate the pros and cons of genetically-engineered materials. Even though the tone of the book is very pro-science, I found that I was still able to make up my own mind in regards to these topics and studies. Fascinating information coupled with extensive photographs makes this a must read for any science enthusiast!
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