Ray, C. Claiborne & Roberts, Victoria. The New York Times second book of science questions and answers; 25 new, intriguing, and just plain bizarre inquiries into everyday scientific mysteries.

Random House, Anchor Books. 229p. illus. Notes. c2002. 0-385-72258-3. $13.00. JSA*

Since 1988, C. Claiborne Ray, a NYT editor, has written the Science Q&A column. She is assisted ably each week and in this volume by Victoria Roberts, whose delightfully whimsical drawings accompany many selections. Through the 15 chapters, mysteries about the stars, the Earth, weather, food and plants, bugs, birds, animals and humans, and miscellaneous curiosities are presented and probed with cleverness and satisfying style. The end notes giving the author's reputable sources should convince the readers that the fun had is joined with scientifically sound information. From the birth and death of stars to the strength of the famed mummy's curse, students, teachers and other curious folk will savor these answers and undoubtedly bring up many questions of their own for future learning. Maureen K. Griffin, Research, Everett, MA