N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
4th Grade Science
Title
Unit 2
Trade Books
pages TEKS
August, 2005
Author
ISBN #
Unit 2: Living Systems and Adaptations
Adaptations: Animals
Animal Adaptations
32 4.8A, B
Peter Winkler
0792245776
(National Geographic)
4.9A, B
 This book does an excellent job of explaining what adaptations are and are not. A
wide variety of animals are discussed. The book also touches on inherited traits
and learned behaviors in its introductory chapter.
Animal Armor
12
4.8A, B Cathy Smith
0792287088
(National Geographic)
 Explains and provides examples of how body coverings protect animals from their
enemies. Simple text.
Catch Me If You Can!
32 4.8A, B Densey Clyne
0836820568
 Stresses the importance of insects to life on Earth and that they are the most
successful creatures on Earth. The book explores the amazing survival tactics of
insects.
Communication
32 4.8A
David Burne
1573351679
 For most animals, communication is crucial for survival. This book explains how
animals communicate in a variety of ways to find food or a mate, warn off
predators, and raise their young.
Growing Up: Against the Odds
48 4.8A, B Bernard Stonehouse 0439249600
 Describes a diversity of animals that are born and have to grow up in
circumstances that make survival precarious.
Growing Up: Protected
48 4.8A, B Bernard Stonehouse 0439305314
 Vivid illustrations and detailed text tell how diverse creatures protect their
young to increase survival.
Hunters and Prey
38 4.8A, B Beatrice McLeod
1567115004
 Realistic illustrations put you next to the predator or prey. A wide div ersity of
animal adaptations is described as the prey attempts to escape the hungry
predators.
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
1
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
4th Grade Science
Unit 2
Title
Trade Books
pages TEKS
August, 2005
Author
ISBN #
Sea and Land Animals
16
4.8A, B Sarah Dawson
0792289307
(National Geographic)
 Identifies characteristics of animals that help them meet their needs and
compares and contrasts animals of the sea with those on land.
Shells (The Science and Nature of)
32
4.8A, B
Jane Burton and
Kim Taylor
0836821858
Discusses shells, what they are made of, their function, and the creatures that
live in them. Full-color, attractive photographs and drawings are found throughout
the book.
4.8A, B
What Is Migration?
32
Bobbie Kalman
0865059888
4.9A, B
 Explains migration: the many reasons and ways it occurs. A fascinating look a wide
variety of animals and their quest for survival. A mixture of photographs and
drawings add to text understanding. Note: “What Is Hibernation?” by this author
also applies to this unit.

Why Do Animals Do That?

4.8A, B
Bobbie Kalman and
Greg Nickles
0865056366
This book answers a wide variety of questions about animal behavior-the answer is
whatever they do, they do it to survive. An array of behaviors highlights the
amazing diversity of animal adaptations. The final section dispels some commonly
believed myths about animals.
Wings (The Science and Nature of)

32
32
4.8A, B
Jane Burton and
Kim Taylor
0836821084
Examines the physical features that various insects, birds, and mammals use to
fly, describing their different sizes, shapes, and functioning.
Adaptations: Plants
How Do Seeds Travel?
12 4.8A, B
Isabella Masani
0792243110
(National Geographic)
4.5A
 Explains the ways seeds travel before they grow into new plants.
4.8A, B
Roots, Stems, and leaves
32
Sally Morgan
1931983119
4.11C
 Explains how roots, stems, and leaves play a vital role in the growth and survival
of a plant. It also discusses photosynthesis and the role of the sun.
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
2
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
4th Grade Science
Title
Unit 2
Trade Books
pages TEKS
August, 2005
Author
ISBN #
Systems
Insect Metamorphosis
26 4.6A
Ron and Nancy Goor 0689314450
 Discusses complete and incomplete metamorphosis in a variety of insects. Includes
close-up full-color photographs to clearly show the stages the organisms go through
from egg to adult.
4.8A, B
Lives of Insects
24
Lynn M. Stone
1559163135
4.6A
 Discusses insect metamorphosis, complete and incomplete and many other
adaptations that help insects survive.
The Amazing Silkworm
16 4.8A, B
Monica Halpren
0792285158
(National Geographic)
4.6A
 The silkworm’s life cycle is an example of metamorphosis and adaptation to its
environment. The book also explains how the silk is harvested and made into
various products.
4.5A
Plant Life
32 4.8A
Franklin Watts
0531145077
4.11C
 Provides an in depth look at plants. Photosynthesis and the function of various plant
parts are discussed.
Ecosystems
Exploring Tide Pools
24 4.5A
Monica Halpern
0792285131
(National Geographic)
4.8B
 Explains the relationship among plants and animals in a tide pool. Compares and
contrasts the organisms that live in a tide pool and discusses the adaptations that
allow them to survive there. Challenging text.
What Lives in a Tide Pool?
16 4.5A
0792243374
(National Geographic)
4.8B
 Describes the animals that live in a tide pool and discusses the adaptations that allow
them to survive there. Simple text.
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
3
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
4th Grade Science
Title
Unit 2
Trade Books
pages TEKS
August, 2005
Author
ISBN #
Species of the Past
4.8C
Paul Sereno and
4.10B
0792288874
Rebecca L. Johnson
4.3E
 The book follows paleontologist, Paul Sereno, from a dig to piecing together
information that allows scientists to infer the behavior of ancient creatures.
Feathered Dinosaurs of China
32 4.8C
Gregory Wenzel
1570915628
 Species of the past: Paleontologists working in China have unearthed astonishing
fossils of feathered dinosaurs. Conditions in this region of China were such that
not only bones, but also feathers, fine hairs, and soft body parts were preser ved.
The book describes what life in the early Cretaceous period might have been like,
and the author offers an exciting connection between birds and dinosaurs.
Jane Burton and
Fossils
32 4.8C
0836821831
Kim Taylor
 Explains how fossils form and how scientists use them to tell about the Earth long
ago. In addition, how species of the past compare to species of the present, is
discussed.
SuperCroc
24
4.8C
Pamela Rushby
0792246594
(National Geographic)
 Details the discovery of supercroc and how scientists used comparisons of this
ancient species to modern crocodiles to piece together the dimensions of the
supercroc.
Sandra & William
Gone Forever
36 4.8C
043918830X
Markle
 An alphabet book of extinct animals. Can be used to compare species of the past to
existing species.
Digging for Dinosaurs
(National Geographic)
32
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
4
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
4th Grade Science
Title
Unit 2
Trade Books
pages TEKS
August, 2005
Author
ISBN #
Inherited/Learned Traits
4.9B
Christopher Maynard
0679839240
4.8A
 Full-color photographs. Learn about fish that hide from dangers in their mother's
mouth, a salamander that never grows up, and a whale that weighs as much at birth as
950 human babies. Offers an opportunity to discuss inherited traits as well as
adaptations that help animals survive.
4.9A, B
Growing Up
38
Beatrice McLeod
1567115012
4.8A
 Offers a variety of topics applicable to this unit. Discusses learned behaviors and
inherited traits as well as a variety of adaptations from being born, to getting food,
and life stages.
Amazing Animal Babies
32
Classification
(These books also provide information about adaptations and inherited and learned traits.)
Amazing Animals
32
4.8A, B Kate Boehm Jerome 0792286629
(National Geographic)
 Provides an overview of the major groups of vertebrates and invertebrates. Chapter
two discusses adaptations of various animals for survival. The final chapter discusses
how to protect and preserve our wildlife.
Classification Clues
32
4.8A, B Catherine Stephens 0792245758
(National Geographic)
 A nice overview and introduction to the scientific system of classification and why
such a system is necessary. A variety of organisms are discussed including the
discovery of a new insect, plants, and deep sea creatures.
Animals
32 4.8B
Lauri Seidlitz
 Provides information on a variety of animals, discussing life cycles, classification,
habitats, protection and camouflage, food webs, and endangered species.
Animals with Backbones
16
4.8A, B Keith Pigdon
0792242688
(National Geographic)
 A simple, straight forward introduction to the five groups of vertebrates. The basics
of each group are explained.
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
5
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
4th Grade Science
Title
Unit 2
Trade Books
pages TEKS
August, 2005
Author
ISBN #
Amphibians
48 4.8A, B Melissa Stewart
0516259504
 Describes the characteristics that all amphibians have in common and their unique
adaptations for survival.
What is an Amphibian?
32 4.8A, B Bobbie Kalman
0865059349
 Explains how amphibians are classified based on certain characteristics and how
these adaptations help them survive.
Birds
16
4.8A, B Stewart Gardiner
0792242661
(National Geographic)
 Explains the differences among birds and the things they all have in common. Simple
text.
The Science of Birds
32 4.8A, B Janice Parker
0836824652
 Explains what characteristics scientists use to classify animals as birds and how
these adaptations help this group of animals survive.
Fish
32 4.8A, B Ann Heunrichs
075650435X
 The characteristics that are used to classify fish are explained as well as some of
their amazing adaptations for survival, including why fish don’t sink.
What is a Fish?
32 4.8A, B Bobbie Kalman
0865058822
 An in depth look at the characteristics of the varied groups of fish. Provides
interesting information about the diversity of adaptations in fish. Includes some
amazing photographs of some common and very unusual fish.
Insects
24 4.8A, B Adele Richardson
0736826238
 Simple text and colorful photographs bring the text to life in this look at insects. A
variety of adaptations are discussed as well as the characteristics used to classify
them. A chart is included at the back to compare the main animal groups.
The Science of Insects
32 4.8A, B Janice Parker
0836824660
 Includes information about the life cycles and characteristics that scientists use to
compare and contrast insects in order to classify them.
Mammals
24 4.8A, B Adele Richardson
0736826246
 Simple text and colorful photographs bring the text to life in this look at mammals.
Discusses the characteristics of mammals and how these adaptations help them
survive.
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
6
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
4th Grade Science
Title
Unit 2
Trade Books
pages TEKS
August, 2005
Author
ISBN #
Mammals
17 4.8A, B Susan Ring
0736829199
 A simple introduction to the characteristics of mammals. A good book for the
struggling reader. Photographs of real mammals enhance the text.
Sorting out Mammals
32 4.8A, B Samuel G. Woods
1567113729
 An introduction to the great diversity found within the group of animals classified as
mammals. Discusses the characteristics scientists use to further put the mammals
into smaller groups.
What is a Mammal?
4.8A, B Bobbie Kalman
0865058784
 An in depth look at the characteristics of the varied groups of mammals. Provides
interesting information about the great diversity of adaptations in mammals. The last
few pages include mammals that are not in the groups mentioned earlier in the book,
but the controversy of where they belong is also presented, letting students see that
scientists don’t always agree.
Fiction
Anamalia

32 4.8A,B Graeme Base
0810918684
Breathtaking photos of animals (fictionalized) make this ABC alliterative book a great
read. Offers an opportunity to compare and contrast the animals in the book to real
animals. Great as a spring board for writing.
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
7