Summer is a time for personal enrichment for teachers. Many travel, take formal classes, or work as interns or volunteers in scientific endeavors. But whatever the schedule, it's also a time for teachers to get back to basics. Instead of being forced to keep one step ahead of the textbook, teachers find that summer provides opportunities to catch up with the latest developments in science and education. Often, the best way to keep from being left behind is to pick up a good book. To that end, the reviewers of NSTA Recommends and the NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Book committee have generated a list of their favorites for your consideration.