How can you connect, supplement, and extend students’ firsthand investigations? Look toward your bookshelves for a clue. Books and other textual materials can serve the following roles in support of scientific inquiry: providing context, modeling, supporting firsthand inquiry, supporting secondhand inquiry, and delivering content. Each of these roles are described in this article, and examples that demonstrate how trade books can support students’ (a) involvement in inquiry experienced, (b) grasp of science concepts, and (c) understanding of the nature of science.