Does It Really Take Seven Years to Digest Swallowed Gum?: And Other Questions You've Always Wanted to Ask

Is That a Fact?

by Sandy Donovan

It takes seven years to digest swallowed gum. A penny placed on a train track can cause a train to derail. The average human consumes four spiders per year while sleeping. You may have heard some of these common sayings or beliefs before. But are they really true? Can they be proven using science? Let’s investigate seventeen statements about familiar items and everyday events and find out which ones are right, which ones are wrong, and which ones still stump scientists! Find out whether eggs will really stand on their ends during the vernal equinox! Discover whether it’s true that you can swing 360 degrees on a swing set! See if you can tell the difference between fact and fiction with Is That a Fact?

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

40 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book from the "Is That a Fact?" series is written by Sandy Donovan. It is an exciting informational book that answers questons kids have asked for years. Are some of these common sayings or beliefs really true?

The format of this book is very interesting with real pictures and colorful graphics. This book also boasts a glossary and a selected bibliography. It is appropriate for students in grades two through eight.

So, "Is there a special chemical that can detect urine in a swimming pool?" You will have to read the book to find out.

[MQR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really think that there could be more follow thru with several of these. The theme and idea are about a fourth grade grade level. The explanation about first or second grade level. Got this on an audiobook so perhaps a printed version would have more substance to it, such as bibliography or even just further reading suggestions.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just fun to read. The layout is inviting and it did answer some questions I have had for awhile...like, does it really take seven years for gum to digest? And, can you really fry an egg on the sidewalk? (On this page they include this helpful caution from the American Egg Board, " Sidewalks are not very clean. so, if you see someone try to fry an egg on the sidewalk, don't eat the egg.")

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I loved this book! Funny and educational, with just enough text to get the picture without getting bogged down. And there are do-it-yourself science experiments.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this out with my nephew but ended up reading it alone. There was a lot in here that even I didn't know!

[Sebah Al-Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

امم، يمكن وصف الكتاب بأنه نسخة مكتوبة من فكرة برنامج
mythBusters
معلومات مبسطة و منظمة بشكل ملون و ممتع. مناسب جدا للأطفال أو للاستخدام كمادة للتدريس.

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تعلمت/اقتبست:

-You cannot do a 360 degree swing on regular swings.

-"Static electricity caused by people’s clothes rubbing against the sides of their cars can cause a gas station fire. For this reason, people should not get back into their cars while gas is pumping into their fuel tank."

-"But in a microwave, water can get hotter than 212°F without boiling. This can happen only if the water is heated in a completely smooth glass or cup. And there can’t be anything else in the cup, such as a drink mix or a spoon."
(a slim chance, but can happen)

-"Shaking a can before you open it will make even more foam. Why? Because shaking makes the carbon dioxide start to separate from the liquid while it’s still sealed inside the can. And then when you open it, even more bubbles are just waiting to break free."

-Jell-o are made of animals (including their bones, skin and hides).

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

finally finished reading this book with joe and art tonight. art really liked it. the book answers some questions that i didn't know that i had like, "can a spark from a cell phone cause a gas station to explode?" you'll have to read the book to find out- if you don't already know.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way this books tells the truth on all the things we're told as kids. Everything from Coke dissolving your teeth to pennies causing train derailment. I also really like the "experiments" recommended for kids to try... mini-science projects to get them excited about science.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

For kids that like Myth Busters... answers to urban legends and other questions. Awesome. Grades 3-7.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interested in the difference between fact and fiction? Gum isn't digestible, but it doesn't stay around for 7 years! Very busy pages with lots of pictures and factoids.

[hissi · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked the book it answered a lot of my questions but even though its fun, it contained little info

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun non-fiction book. Answers to questions children are curious about!

[Lyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was funny when my brother read it

[Stephanie Allan]

EWW ITS SO GROSS BUT SO GOOD