This new addition to the Orca Think nonfiction series explores the history of scientific research and the factors influencing whether new innovations are freely shared or sold at a high cost. The text details how new treatments for diseases and vaccines against viruses such as COVID-19 can develop in a rapid fashion when information at all levels of discovery is shared amongst researchers across the world. Open science involves sharing at all levels of research: creating, evaluating, sharing, exploring, and storing scientific knowledge, practices, and perspectives. Open scientific knowledge allows for free access to scientific publications, research, data, open educational resources, software, and source codes from the public domain. These models transcend many barriers of diversity, equity, and inclusion for science information. When students have free access to current scientific information, they too can become citizen scientists. The text is very accessible for middle-grade readers with headings, photographs, and sidebars of additional information.

Other End Matter: Glossary
Images: Colour photographs, colour illustrations, teacher’s resource
Bibliography: Yes
Index: Yes

Evaluator: Lisa S., High School Librarian, BC Books for Schools

MONIQUE POLAK écrit régulièrement pour le Montreal Gazette et a été publiée dans de nombreux autres quotidiens de renom tels que le Globe and Mail, le National Post et Newsday. Dans la collection SideStreets, elle a écrit All In et On the Game, ainsi que Flip Turn pour la collection Sports Stories. D’ailleurs, ces deux derniers ouvrages ont figuré sur la liste des meilleurs livres pour enfants du Centre du livre jeunesse canadien. Monique enseigne l’écriture ainsi que la littérature anglaise. Elle vit à Montréal, au Québec, avec son mari et sa fille.

MONIQUE POLAK is the author of 26 novels for young readers, as well as two non-fiction titles and a board book. Her books Hate Mail, Room for One More, and the historical novel What World is Left, which was inspired by her mother’s experience during the Holocaust, were all winners of the Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children’s and YA Literature.

Her books have also been nominated for the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People and the Arthur Ellis Award, and several have been selected as Best Books for Children and Teens by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

She is also a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Macleans, and Postmedia newspapers across the country, and is a columnist on ICI Radio-Canada’s Plus on est de fous, plus on lit Monique lives in Montreal, Quebec, where she teaches English and Humanities at Marianopolis College.

Monique Polak's profile page

Catherine Chan is a Toronto-based illustrator with a previous life in project management and technology. Her work explores her relationships as an immigrant, a mother and a lifelong learner, and acts as both self-exploration and self-declaration. She is excited about telling unique and inspiring stories through her illustrations.

Catherine Chan's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

“Highlights the benefits of researchers working together to find solutions and sharing them in a variety of contexts…Colourful illustrations throughout are particularly effective in underscoring the importance of emphasizing equity, diversity, and inclusivity in science. Inspiring and informative for readers interested in ensuring that scientific research is more accessible to everyone.”

Booklist

“Refers to concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion in all of the scientific disciplines…Recommended for science classrooms and library collections.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“An enlightening addition to the Orca Think series… This book is highly recommended for public and school library collections.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News

“Belongs at the top of your Must-Have list… Author Monique Polak and illustrator Catherine Chan have combined clear text with colourful illustrations of people of all ages, abilities, and colours actively engaged in STEM activities. Highly Recommended.”

Sal's Fiction Addiction