Step out of your element with Science Comics: The Periodic Table of Elements , the latest volume of First Second's nonfiction graphic novel series! A book of fun chemistry experiments has fallen into the wrong hands. Only Mel can use her knowledge of the periodic table to put an end to a maniacal madman's evil schemes. The periodic table helps us quickly understand the 118 elements, those tiny substances that make up everything in the world. By using the periodic table, we can recognize how these building blocks behave, find trends and patterns in the universe, and make predictions about elements that haven’t been discovered yet. Join us in learning about the periodic table, and maybe the next big discovery will be yours! A Junior Library Guild selection "Solid gold." ― Kirkus, starred review "A fun scientific romp with a Black girl protagonist; perfect for middle grade readers who need a chemistry review or a clever introduction to the periodic table." ―School Library Journal Praise for the Science Comics series: "The insight behind these books is a powerful one. So much information about the world around us is actually better conveyed visually, through charts, illustrations, and sequential panels, than purely using words." ― New York Times "Like having a Time Life Science Library in comic books. Which is awesome!" ― Popular Science Jon Chad lives in Vermont with his wife and daughter. He is the illustrator of Science Comics: Solar System , and the author of Leo Geo , Science Comics: Volcanoes , Science Comics: The Periodic Table of Elements , and Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball . Jon's graphic novel series, The Solvers , uses comics, and superhero action, to teach mathematics to young readers. His art is also featured in Steve Sheinkin's Diamond Fever.