I like to pass books about science on to the teachers in my daughter's school for them to have in the classroom (or to pass on to the library, as they wish). Now that you've heard this idea, you will want to do it to!
Here's a few suggestions of recent titles that could be available used or cheap.
Galapagos Diary: A Complete Guide to the Archipelgo's Birdlife
... in our look at bird books to consider, I wanted to bring in the Galapagos Diary. I cannot tell you which is the best book for birding in the Galapagos, because, sadly, I've never done that myself. But my daughter, Julia, has, and she recommends this title. She brought a copy home from the Galapagos, and I am personally quite impressed by it. If you are planning a trip to the Galapagos, have a look at it.
Triassic Life on Land
...It is situated between two major extinction events, and is especially interesting because it is during this period that modern day ecological systems and major animal groups took a recognizable form. The preceding Permian, if contrasted with modern day, would form a very stark contrast while the Triassic would be at least somewhat more recognizable....
In case you run a class for younger kids, have a look at Stones and Bones, Evolution for Kids.
No science class is complete without at least one book on the Permian Mass Extinction .. "Today it is common knowledge that the dinosaurs were wiped out by a meteorite impact sixty-five million years ago, which killed half of all species then living. ... Far less well-known is a much bigger catastrophe - the greatest mass extinction of all time - which occurred 251 million years ago, at the end of the Permian period. "
What Is Life? is actually a bio text book suitable for AP level biology or first year college. However, you should get a copy of it and have it around for at least this one reason: THe author, who is a close personal friend of mine, made sure to include examples with every chapter of stuff people usually get wrong in day to day life pertaining to the topic at hand. Frankly, I think you should use this book as your AP text, but you probably fetishize Campbell and won't change. At least have a copy around to use for classroom ideas or for reference. Maybe it will grow on you and you'll eventually chose the better textbook! Rumor has it that there is a second edition coming out soon.
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Earth Science Week will be celebrated this year October 9-15. Find out more (plus, teachers--there are materials available for projects) here.