Science & Nature

Texts in this collection explore topics like climate change, energy, and humanity's place in the environment through a variety of genres, whether the science fiction of Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake or the scientific journalism of Dan Egan's The Death and Life of the Great Lakes.

Why Nations Fail

by Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson

Publication year 2012

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Economics, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Community

Tags Business / Economics, Politics / Government, History: World, Science / Nature, Sociology

Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty (2012) is a nonfiction book co-authored by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. Acemoglu, an MIT economist renowned for his work on political economy, and Robinson, a political scientist and economist, combine their expertise to examine the reasons behind the varying levels of success and failure among nations. This interdisciplinary work, situated at the intersection of institutional economics, developmental economics, and economic history, examines a... Read Why Nations Fail Summary

Why We Sleep

by Matthew Walker

Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Natural World: Environment

Tags Science / Nature, Health / Medicine, Psychology, Psychology, Self Help

British-American neuroscientist Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams (2017) provides an in-depth exploration of the science of sleep health. Walker argues that sleep loss is an epidemic and one of the most serious public health issues of the 21st century. Drawing from a wealth of data and scientific studies, including his own innovative scientific breakthroughs during his time as a professor at the University of California-Berkeley, Walker illustrates the... Read Why We Sleep Summary

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers

by Robert M. Sapolsky

Publication year 1993

Genre Reference/Text Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Psychology, Science / Nature, Self Help, Health / Medicine, Psychology, Mental Illness

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Wild Bees

by James K. Baxter

Publication year 1949

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Nurture v. Nature

Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Science / Nature

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Wilderness and the American Mind

by Roderick Nash

Publication year 1967

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Society: Politics & Government, Natural World: Place, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Animals, Society: Nation, Natural World: Food

Tags History: U.S., Science / Nature, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy

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Wild

by Cheryl Strayed

Publication year 2012

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Mothers

Tags Grief / Death, Travel Literature, Relationships, Love / Sexuality, Science / Nature, Action / Adventure, Biography

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Wild Geese

by Mary Oliver

Publication year 2004

Genre Poem, Fiction

Tags Lyric Poem, Science / Nature

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Wildoak

by C. C. Harrington

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Natural World: Environment, Society: Community

Tags Children's Literature, Animals, Science / Nature, Realistic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction

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Wild Wings

by Gill Lewis

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Natural World: Animals, Society: Community, Relationships: Family

Tags Animals, Realistic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Grief / Death, Children's Literature, Science / Nature

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Willodeen

by Katherine Applegate

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Animals

Tags Fantasy, Animals, Children's Literature, Science / Nature

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Wind, Water, Stone

by Octavio Paz

Publication year 1979

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Environment

Tags Science / Nature

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Winnie-the-Pooh

by A. A. Milne

Publication year 1926

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Place, Society: Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Animals, Food, Relationships, Science / Nature

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Winterdance

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 1994

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Beauty

Tags Science / Nature, Sports, Travel Literature, Biography, Action / Adventure, Animals

First published in 1994, Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod is a nonfiction young adult book by Gary Paulsen, who has won several awards for his outdoor adventure stories. The first-person narrative recounts Paulsen’s life as a novice dog-sled runner who takes on the challenge of Alaska’s iconic Iditarod race. The special cross-species relationship between Paulsen and his canine companions steers him through the perils of Alaska’s harsh terrain as he overcomes his... Read Winterdance Summary

Wintering

by Katherine May

Publication year 2020

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Identity: Mental Health

Tags Psychology, Health / Medicine, Self Help, Science / Nature, Psychology, Mental Illness

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Wishtree

by Katherine Applegate

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Children's Literature, Animals, Science / Nature, Magical Realism, Fantasy

Wishtree (2017) is a work of young adult fiction by Katherine Applegate. Directly addressing the bigotry and Islamophobia of the Trump era, the novel tackles the polarized American political climate by praising the value of diversity, tolerance, and compassion. Plot SummaryThis book’s narrator is a 216-year-old northern oak tree named Red. Red is a dioecious tree who has both male and female characteristics, so refers to themself with the pronoun “they.” The story takes place... Read Wishtree Summary

Woodsong

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 1990

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Environment, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Sports, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Science / Nature

Published in 1991, the adventure biography Woodsong recounts novelist Gary Paulsen’s experiences as a dogsled driver, including his participation in the Iditarod race across Alaska. He describes the hard-won lessons he learns, the strange and wondrous things he witnesses, and the love and admiration he feels for the dogs he trains with. Three-time Newbury Honor winner Paulsen wrote more than 200 works, most of them for middle-grade and young adult readers. His books often tell... Read Woodsong Summary