Because I Said So!

Jennings, Ken. Because I Said So! The Truth Behind the Myths, Tales, and Warnings Every Generation Passes Down to Its Kids. Scribner, 2012.

Ken Jennings of Jeopardy! fame tackles common household sayings, specifically parental warnings, and researches the science behind the sayings, ending each section with a ruling of "true" or "false" for such statements as, "If you cross your eyes, they'll stay that way" and "Wear a hat; you lose 90% of your heat through your head." I found this book to be both informative and entertaining, similar to the TV show Mythbusters, but with fewer explosions. This book would be a good read for trivia buffs, fans of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader, and even tweens and teens.