Two Minute Review: When just want to know if you should get it or forget it.

For Your Consideration: Mary Roach author of bestselling non-fiction titles
Titles Include: Grunt, Gulp, Bonk, Spook, & Stiff
Difficulty
: 7th grade reading level.
Get It: If you love science, love to laugh or both. Need a great gift that will endear you to the beloved nerd in your life. I suspect (no personal experience) a pre-teen boy would love her work.
Skip It: Not for those who are excessively squeamish.
Maturity: Pre-teen (“Bonk” Adult and older teen, see below)
Overall: Great pick for anyone.

NOTE: Her title “Bonk” is about sex. While neither graphic, titillating or pornographic I can’t recommend it for pre-teen readers, like I might her other titles. As always, it is best to test my assessments by reading any of these titles yourself to gage appropriateness for your young reader.

Images of my well loved copies of my favorite Mary Roach titles.