I think this is a bit too difficult for MY 5th grader. Just a bit. It might not be too much for YOUR 5th grader. My daughter likes it okay, but doesn't love it. I like the fact that there are sections and tests for each section. I can't imagine that she's going to retain a lot of the information, however, but I feel with science, every year you just have to repeat the same ideas until they get it. I was disappointed the book doesn't cover cells and parts of cells. It does touch on genetics. I think you could base a lesson off the reading, then use the Internet and other resources for back-up. We homeschool, by the way, and this is not the only science book we use.
A little advanced for a 5th grader