Send us textbooks at barbatol6318@parkwayschools.net or songe0199@parkwayschools.net to get them rated! Response time may be long as these are former scibowlers from the winning team of 2024–2025 (Luca Barbato & Ethan Song), so reliance on this resource only is not advised. However, contacting them to supplement your studies is a great idea.
Campbell Biology Concepts and Connections 10th edition ----- Advanced ----- Multiple Authors ----- Biology
This is the biology book. No praise I could give this book would be sufficient. Unfortunately, it is not publicly available for free. I have found a pirated version of the first 91 pages only. I am currently in the process of pirating it myself. In the meantime, email barbatol6318@parkwayschools.net for a physical copy.
Introduction to Earth Science ----- General ----- Multiple Authors ----- Earth and Space Science
This is a top-tier E&SS book; it has a good focus and excellent content, and a difficulty level good for all levels of knowledge. If you want to join E&SS, read this book.
Astronomy 2e ----- Moderate ----- Multiple Authors ------ ESS
Astronomy 2e is not a traditional textbook, and is lacking in a few areas, but it is good review for an advanced player, and useful for basic to medium players. An A-Grade book based on quality, but focus is somewhat odd.
We don't currently have any Grade-C books, this page is still under development, send us books and we will grade them!
A Short History of Nearly Everything ----- Basic ----- Bill Bryson ----- Primarily ESS
Why we gave it this rating: This is an excessively oversimplified and highly out-of-date book. While barely being educational, in the first place, for anyone who understands basic astronomy, it is actually a negative to any Scibowler reading it, as it has much inaccurate information. We cannot recommend any book that claims travel to Mars is impossible due to radiation, Pluto is a planet, and that planets are exceedingly rare. This simply isn't the case, and despite being well-rated, this is not a good book.
This is a basic summary on how to self grade ANY textbook. While this won't catch everything, it will hopefully inform you about the worst offenders.
Note--- You should still send it to be graded officially, it might take a day or two for us to get back to you though.
Check the copyright date. This will let you know how old the book is.
Earth and Space—After 2010, the newer the better.
Math—As long as you can read the original version or a translation.
Chemistry—If it is after 1990, it is probably fine.
Biology—Generally, you want something written after 1990.
Energy—Don't even try self-grading one of these. Just send it to me (Luca) at barbatol6318@parkwayschools.net.
Physics—After 2000 for basic, 2010 for anything more advanced.
Check for obvious inaccuracies.
e.g., climate change is fake,/Pluto is a planet.
If you are still suspicious/unsure, send it to me (Luca) at barbatol6318@parkwayschools.net.
