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(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Luciano Lozano.
This picture-book biography of Spain’s first scientific Nobel Prize winner, Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852–1934), moves from his imagination-filled childhood in the mountain village of Petilla to his groundbreaking discovery of the structure of the nervous system at the age of thirty-six. Readers will be delighted by the snapshots of a self-willed, precocious, inventive young boy who bucked his teachers’ attempts to clip his artist’s wings, and initially resisted following in his doctor-father’s footsteps, only to fall in love with the field of neuroanatomy on his own terms. Lozano’s stylized digital illustrations are interspersed with fascinating facsimiles of Ramón y Cajal’s photography, paintings, and medical drawings. Back matter delves into the anatomy of a neuron and expounds on Ramón y Cajal’s life and works. A compelling testament to the value of unconventional thinking.
316 pp.
| Holt/Ottaviano
| January, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-13764-7$19.99
(2)
4-6
In 1893, Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian Renaissance man and Nobel Peace Prize winner, tried (unsuccessfully) to become the first person to reach the North Pole. The harrowing Arctic journey--documented here through black-and-white photographs, line drawings, and journal entries--became legendary. Lourie provides an intriguing portrait of the man and a worthwhile and absorbing account of his journey. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2019
40 pp.
| Holt
| February, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62779-389-6$19.99
(2)
K-3
Demi brings her inimitable style to the life of legendary scientist Marie Curie (1867–1934), from Curie's early years in a scholarly Polish family through her education in France and her work on radioactivity with husband Pierre. In a clear, matter-of-fact text, Demi describes Curie's remarkable accomplishments. Accompanying gold-tinged illustrations are flat in aspect and, like the text, serious, yet they add texture and detail. Reading list, timeline. Glos.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2018
(4)
4-6
STEM Trailblazer Bios series.
Each volume details the life of a significant person in a STEM-related field. Emphasis is placed on the individual's childhood, education, and development of a specific interest, as well as notable contributions. The prose is stilted but informative, and many photographs are included alongside sidebars of related information and "Tech Talk" quotes by the featured trailblazer. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Google Cybersecurity Expert Parisa Tabriz, Astronaut and Physicist Sally Ride, Code-Breaker and Mathematician Alan Turing, NASA Astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, Science Educator and Advocate Bill Nye, and Environmental Activist Wangari Maathai.
170 pp.
| Little
| October, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-52714-9$15.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-316-52715-6$6.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-316-52713-2
(3)
K-3
Adapted by Sarah J. Robbins.
Illustrated by
Joanie Stone.
The Pakistani activist's memoir moves from childhood to her shooting by the Taliban to being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The message that "one child...can change the world" makes for an inspiring, upbeat read. Adapted from I Am Malala, this "first chapter book edition" features large type, short chapters, and spot illustrations. More on the Nobel Prize and a pronunciation guide are appended. Timeline. Glos.
(3)
YA
Women in Science series.
These thorough biographies of pioneering women in scientific and technical fields delve deeply into their personal and professional lives. The series includes frank and balanced discussions of both the successes and challenges each woman faced, as well as the qualities and intellect that drove her significant accomplishments. Numerous photographs of the scientists and additional information about their fields are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Women in Science titles: Marie Curie, Jane Goodall, Mae Carol Jemison, Rosalind Franklin, Grace Hopper, and Chien-Shiung Wu.
(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Great Scientists and Inventors series.
These books provide cursory introductions to men and women who have made contributions to the scientific world. The brief texts deal with the subjects' early years, work, and legacies. Large archival photographs (mostly grainy portraits and poorly reproduced documents) accompany the simple narratives but do not add much visual interest for budding scientists. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Great Scientists and Inventors titles: Albert Einstein, Elizabeth Blackwell, and Rachel Carson.
40 pp.
| Peachtree
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56145-913-1$17.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Alice Ratterree.
Emotional free verse describes Jane Addams's individualism, determination, and compassion. Slade relates Jane's personal sadness and joys, and how an empathetic spirit allowed her to open Hull House for needy immigrants, work tirelessly to end WWI, and win a Nobel Peace Prize, all despite harsh criticism. Ratterree's natural-palette watercolors capture the biography's energy and emotion. "More about Dangerous Jane" is appended. Timeline. Bib.
(3)
4-6
Turning Points series.
In these volumes in a well-researched series focusing on crucial historical moments, the assassinations of American icons Kennedy and King are relayed in fascinating detail--from the demeanor of the subjects just before their deaths to the assassins' escape plans. Large glossy photographs are included throughout, along with sidebars providing background or expanding on information. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Turning Points titles: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy and The Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr..
(3)
YA
This detailed biography of the Nobel Prize–winning author--filled with captioned photographs--tracks Faulkner from his childhood and poetry-writing days to his Hollywood years and time as a university writer-in-residence. Hamblin skillfully draws a parallel between Faulkner's life and literary achievements and his novels' dominant theme of endurance. An accessible resource for both literature enthusiasts and report writers. Timeline. Bib., ind.
40 pp.
| Dial
| January, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-42852-7$12.99
(3)
K-3
Ordinary People Change the World series.
Illustrated by
Christopher Eliopoulos.
From childhood anecdotes through the March on Washington, the scope of King's struggles and accomplishments is conveyed. There's some gentle moralizing ("it's better to have more love in your life than more hate"), but it's well delivered via this biography series' child-friendly setup: a chatty first-person narrative and cartoon art with occasional comics-style frames. Photos are appended. Reading list, timeline. Bib.
(4)
K-3
Leaders Doing Headstands series.
Illustrated by
Patrick Ballesteros.
These two informative texts in a new series about the childhoods of famous people contain somewhat advanced vocabulary and a mix of direct quotes (in bold) and imagined dialogue. Ballesteros's cartoonish style downplays the serious experiences that shaped Martin Luther King Jr.; Grivina's illustrations (Earhart) are more well matched. Afterwords and Common Core–focused discussion questions are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Leaders Doing Headstands titles: When Amelia Earhart Built a Roller Coaster and When Martin Luther King Jr. Wore Roller Skates.
247 pp.
| Simon/Aladdin
| April, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-2059-4$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-2061-7
(3)
4-6
Real-Life Story series.
Tracing Mandela's personal and political journeys, this reliable biography tells of a boy from the Madiba clan who had the good fortune of being educated and who became a renowned figure of black South African leadership and international campaigns for justice. An eight-page black-and-white photo insert is well captioned. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind.
(4)
4-6
Newsmakers series.
This accessibly written series is notable for its clean layout, including color photographs, sidebars, and charts. The mostly complimentary narratives are solid overviews of their subjects' early lives, successes, and failures. A "Stop and Think" feature offers discussion questions that can be used for assignments. For the living subjects, the content will soon become outdated. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Newsmakers titles: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Vladimir Putin, Malala Yousafzai, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Nelson Mandela, and Pope Francis.
(4)
4-6
Newsmakers series.
This accessibly written series is notable for its clean layout, including color photographs, sidebars, and charts. The mostly complimentary narratives are solid overviews of their subjects' early lives, successes, and failures. A "Stop and Think" feature offers discussion questions that can be used for assignments. For the living subjects, the content will soon become outdated. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Newsmakers titles: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Vladimir Putin, Malala Yousafzai, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Nelson Mandela, and Pope Francis.
40 pp.
| South Carolina
| May, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-61117-343-7$29.95
|
PaperISBN 978-1-61117-344-4$15.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-61117-345-1 New ed. (2010, Ellerbe Press)
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Trahern Cook.
The picture-book biography of Charles Townes, winner of the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics for the invention of the laser, covers Townes's entire life but focuses especially on his childhood and early interest in all scientific topics. Although Haynie includes some intriguing details, much of her writing, and Cook's illustrations, is more serviceable than inspiring. Timeline. Bib.
(4)
4-6
History's All-Stars series.
Illustrated by
Al Fiorentino.
Originally in the Childhood of Famous Americans series, these biographies are otherwise unchanged. Focusing on events in each figure's childhood, the congenial narratives read smoothly, with natural-sounding invented dialogue. Font size and leading are generous, creating an inviting reading environment. Each chapter includes a black-and-white illustration; the art is dated-looking in King. Parks appends an un-updated reading list. Review covers these History's All-Stars titles: Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr..
40 pp.
| Lee
| May, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-60060-658-8$18.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jamel Akib.
This inspiring biography of Bengali "Banker to the Poor" Muhammad Yunus begins with precepts he learned in childhood. Yunus's path to becoming an economist known for small, low-interest loans to the impoverished ("microcredit") and to receiving the Nobel Peace Prize is back-dropped by striking chalk-pastel illustrations in vibrant colors. An afterword with more information about Grameen Banks is included. Bib.
48 pp.
| Chronicle
| May, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8118-7235-5$17.99
(1)
K-3
Illustrated by
Vladimir Radunsky.
Berne and Radunsky--in a gorgeous piece of bookmaking--use the "biggest, most exciting thought Albert had ever had" as the focal point for their homage to the great physicist. Berne's simple text shows the adult Albert's child-friendly inclinations (ice-cream walks, an aversion to socks), while Radunsky's spontaneous line work creates a sense of movement that perfectly mirrors Albert's endless search for answers.
Reviewer: Sam Bloom
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2013
104 pp.
| Enslow
| January, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3989-6$26.60 New ed. (1996)
(4)
YA
African-American Icons series.
These accessible, simplistic biographies trace the lives of contemporary African American leaders in the arts. The uncomplicated prose may appeal to report writers who are also reluctant readers. While the books' original design was uninspired, it did include plenty of photos--which these new editions have oddly omitted. Discography (Smith), filmography (Berry; Smith). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Toni Morrison, Halle Berry, Will Smith, and Oprah Winfrey.