The Human Brain : Inside Your Body's Control Room

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The Human Brain aligns young readers with top scientists, doctors, and researchers from around the world in the field of neurobiology.The amazing abilities of the human brain are endlessly fascinating to kids. How do we think? How do we remember? How does our brain work with the senses to enable us to experience the world around us? What happens when a person's brain is injured, and what can be done to help fix it? This book puts readers right beside the brain researchers and doctors who are constantly seeking answers to these questions.The book introduces young readers to the inspiring men and women who are making incredible advances in the world of brain science. The informed, educational text and insightful illustrations help them understand all the latest developments in this exciting field of human science.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Message From the Consultant (p. 8)
• A Diagram of the Brain (p. 9)
• Timeline: Important Milestones in Neuroscience (p. 10)
• 1 The Very Young Brain (p. 12)
• How do we learn?
• Investigating babies' brains
• Understanding sounds
• Inside the brain
• The cerebellum
• The midbrain
• The growing, Changing brain
• Language learning happens early
• Albert Einstein's brain
• Neuroscience speeds into the future
• 2 The Language of Neurons (p. 20)
• Recording messages from a single cell
• The problem with anesthesia
• A little bit about neurons
• Scratch that itch!
• Electric Explosion
• Animals and research
• Like an anesthetic "smart bomb"
• Meet a neuroscientist
• 3 The Plastic Brain (p. 28)
• London taxi drivers and "The Knowledge"
• Looking into a living brain
• Alternative technologies
• Seahorsepower
• What is memory?
• Music and the brain
• Keeping your brain fit
• The adult brain
• 4 Sleep and Dreams (p. 36)
• No time off
• Learning in their sleep
• How much sleep do people need?
• What happens if people don't get enough sleep?
• The dreaming brain
• To cram or not to cram
• 5 Happiness and the Brain (p. 42)
• Mind control!
• 5 Happy brains of Buddhist meditators
• An emotional brain
• Happiness is...
• Choosing to be happy
• Programmed for emotion
• 6 Operating on the Brain (p. 50)
• Surgeons reawaken an injured brain
• Brain surgery
• Ancient brain surgery
• Protection for the fragile brain
• Surgery for the mugging victim
• New reasons for hope
• The Years Ahead (p. 58)
• Glossary (p. 59)
• Bibliography (p. 60)
• On the Web (p. 60)
• Further Reading (p. 60)
• Index (p. 61)
• About the Author and Consultant (p. 63)
• Credits (p. 64)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 4-8-Scientists at Harvard Medical School are developing a "smart" anesthesia that uses chili peppers to target pain-sensing neurons in the brain. With only these neurons shut down, anesthesia used during surgery has the potential to be safer and have fewer negative side effects. Readers will learn about this and other interesting new brain research in this title, which includes a basic discussion of the parts of the brain, their functions, and how neurons send messages throughout the body. Information is also included about the role of the brain during sleep, dreaming, and various emotional states, as well as explanations of the various technologies available to measure brain activity. This is a well-organized, compelling introduction, sure to pique the curiosity of many children. Full-color photographs and illustrations enliven the text. Good for general interest, this title will add depth to science collections, but it is not comprehensive in its scope.-Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

Factual information about brain structure and function is folded into accounts of cutting-edge scientific research (and the scientists conducting it) that is extending our knowledge of brain science. Chapter topics include the science of sleep, learning, emotion, and brain surgery techniques. Excellent color photographs set in a clean layout add interest and increase accessibility. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.