One the “Science of Nutrition” series, this edition explores the role of carbohydrates in our diet, why they are needed, and what happens to your body if you do not get an adequate amount. The twelve chapters, designed for upper elementary and middle school students, utilize an attractive layout of bold text, color photos and charts and graphs to explore the importance, characteristics, sources and amounts needed for optimum health. Beginning with a generalized chapter about food as fuel, remaining chapters go into detail defining carbohydrates, the abundant sources of carbohydrates, fiber in carbohydrates, enough and too much carbohydrates, reading labels to determine carbohydrate amounts in foods, carbohydrates as fuel, digestion of carbohydrates, carbohydrates as cell boosters, the glycemic index and food allergies and special diets. Each chapter contains boxed “Did You Know” features, a “Body Talk” bubble and a “Try This” column for small experiments. Two pages of food facts and stats feature amounts and sources of recommended daily amounts for various ages for carbohydrates. It is science and health made interesting. A glossary, sources for further study and an index are included. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D.