This is the science book I wish I'd had when I was 12. While written for young readers, this book covers a wide range of scientific fields, answering a lot of questions about the world. Not only does Dawkins cover WHAT we know, he goes into great detail about HOW we know it, emphasizing that observation, experimentation, and critical thinking are much more useful than myths and legends.

While ideal for smart youngsters, the layman-friendly explanations in this book can also be worthwhile for adults. In my case, I was familiar with the evolutionary concepts, while the astronomy-related chapters were all new and easily accessible to this neophyte.