Pump It Up!

The Secrets of the Heart and Blood

by Melissa Stewart

Benchmark Books, 2010

for Grades 3 to 5

ISBN 978–0‑76144–164‑9

Purchase this book at your local independent bookseller or Amazon.com.

The lively, conversational tone and blend of photos and cartoon-style art make Pump It Up: The Secrets of the Heart and Blood a perfect blend of fun facts and serious science learning about the human body as well as the bodies of other creatures. Here at last—a book that’s irreverent enough to captivate young readers, yet authoritative enough to win the praise of teachers, librarians, and parents.

Honors and Awards

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator/Anna Cross Giblin Nonfiction Research Grant

Reviews

“In addition to the fascinating trivia, this title contains a chart comparing animals heart rates (bpm) and their average life span (years). Wonderful for higher level thinking and using math, logic, and reasoning. This would be a perfect page to display …d blue-bloods? I know after reading this title.” (School Library Journal’s Practically Paradise blog)

“The Gross and Goofy Body [series of books] enlivens physiology for kids, offering humorous yet scientific surveys of body functions in just under 50 pages each. Kids in grades 2–4 will find [these books] appealing and fun. Each blends photos with fun cartoons and photos of kids, along with plenty of basic physiology.” (Children’s Bookwatch)

“Despite its irreverent moniker, the Gross and Goofy Body series offers detailed science facts in a fashion approachable enough to make it a welcome supplement to school textbooks. Each volume takes on a part or function of the body and then goes through the paces of description, metaphor, examples, data, and, most extensively, comparison to our animal counterparts. … the layout is fresh, clean, and colorful, sidebars keep things conversational, and the back matter is solid.” (Booklist)

Behind the Book

“While I was working on this book, I received some fantastic news. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators awarded me a research grant to help fund my work on this series. It allowed me to dig even deeper for all kinds of great information. I scoured the library at a nearby medical school and read dozens of journal articles.

“When I’m researching, I always keep my eyes and ears open for ideas, and it’s a good thing. One day, I heard a fascinating show on National Public Radio. It was all about the surprising link between body size, heart rate, and life span.”