AAAS and Subaru are proud to announce the finalists for the 2023 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books in the Hands-On Science Book category. The Prize celebrates outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults and is meant to encourage the writing and publishing of high-quality science books for all ages. Longlists for all four categories were announced in October.

The 2023 winner will be selected from among the following finalists:

• Forensics for Kids: The Science and History of Crime Solving, With 21 Activities, by Melissa Ross. Chicago Review Press, 2022.

  What kind of science does it take to solve a crime? Forensics for Kids provides the complete history of forensic science, giving readers a comprehensive understanding of the crime-solving advancements that led to modern forensics. Author Melissa Ross reveals fascinating stories, famous cases, pioneers who led the way, and what forensics might look like in the future. Twenty-one engaging activities offer readers hands-on experiences with modern forensic methods.

• Funky Fungi: 30 Activities for Exploring Molds, Mushrooms, Lichens, and More, by Alisha Gabriel and Sue Heavenrich. Chicago Review Press, 2022.

  Fungi are everywhere! They form partnerships with plants and help us clean up our planet through bioremediation. Some fungi eat our crops; others protect them. Some fungi cause diseases; others cure them. Some are bigger than you; others are so tiny you need a microscope to see them. And now, people are finding ways to use fungi to make furniture, building materials, and even sneakers. So grab your gear and let’s go find some Funky Fungi.

• The Kitchen Pantry Scientist Physics for Kids: Science Experiments and Activities Inspired by Awesome Physicists, Past and Present, by Liz Lee Heinecke. Illustrated by Kelly Anne Dalton. Quarto Kids, 2022.

  The Kitchen Pantry Scientist: Physics for Kids features biographies of 25 leading physicists, past and present, accompanied by accessible, hands-on experiments and activities to bring the history and principles of physics alive. Make a water rocket and engineer the perfect paper airplane. Play with mirror images. Use atmospheric pressure to push an egg into a bottle. Crush a mint to create a flash of light. Aspiring young physicists will discover an amazing group of inspiring scientists and memorable experiments in Physics for Kids, the third book of The Kitchen Pantry Scientist series.

• The Science Spell Book: Magical Experiments for Kids, by Cara Florance. Sourcebooks Explore, 2022.

  Use science to create REAL magic with 30 dazzling experiments you can do at home—the perfect science gift for kids! Written by biochemist Cara Florance, The Science Spell Book is the perfect way to engage kids while teaching them about science. Readers will learn about physics, biology, chemistry and more with amazing activities like Elixir of Enlightenment—brew a stunning color-changing tea!; Chaotic Calling—learn about chaos theory while creating art with a pendulum!; Fluorescent Feast—create a meal that glows under a black light!; and North Divination—make a homemade compass! Each experiment includes simple instructions, diagrams to follow along with, and an explanation of the science behind each magical experiment.
  

Winners will be announced in February 2023.

The finalists for the Children’s Science Picture Book and Middle Grades Science Book categories were announced earlier in the week.