Lul's YA Reviews
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Charles And Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith
Henry Holt, December 2008
Ages 12 and up
978-0-8050-8721-5,
Publisher's website with teachers's guide Audiobook
By Deborah Heiligman: Author of 27 Books for Children including Charles and Emma:
National Book Award Finalist, YASA Excellence in Nonfiction winner, Printz Honor, LA Times Book Prize Finalist
Annotation
Charles Darwin ( February 12, 1809-April 19, 1882) is one of the most famous people in the history of the world. Many people also think he was the most important scientist (though of course others argue it was Albert Einstein) In a theory of evolution by natural selection change the way we think about life forever. Although controversy in some religious communities dismissed the call of evolution, today's archaeologists seem to agree Darwin's theory. The basics of his theory are accepted as truth in the world. Scientists are constantly adding to his ideas by developing them further.
Justification for Nomination:
The Darwin's Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman The book is about Charles Darwin and his relationship with his wife Emma. When Charles Darwin was in his twenties, he had just returned fromn a five years voyage. The book begins with Charles comtemplating the pro's and con's of marriage, making a list of a piece of paper. He decided that, while there are several good reasons to stay as bachelor in his whole life, marriage is preferable. While considering relatives and friends he knows, Charles chose Emma, a cousin with quite different personality than his own. Emma wa a religios woman who held strong belief in the idea of
Heaven and afterlife.The author approaches the subject from the point of view of their relationship. It is always nice to know that even geniuses are still regular humans. Heiligman told the story well by including great details like revealing personal letters between Darwin, Emma, and their close friends and family. Some of the letters that Darwin wrote to Emma shed an entirely new light on him and his character.
I picked up this book mostly because Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith is both the Natutional Book Award and Printz runner. Numerous parts of this book are highly interesting. I love nonfiction books that tell good story as this one does. By reading this book, I came to know both Charles and Emma very well.
Genre: Nonfiction, Information Text & Biograhy.
Award(s): National Book Award Nominee for Young People's Literature (2009), British Fantasy Award (2010), A School Library Jounal Best Book of the year (2009), Printz Honor (2010), TAYSHAS High School reading List (2010), Booklist Top 10 romances for Youth.
Star Rating: Four Stars
Grade level (s): 9th-adult Charles and Emma: Darwins' leap of Faith is not a difficult history to read; I love it!
Lul's YA Reviews
Almost Astronauts: 13 Woment Who Dared to Dream
By Tanya Lee Stone: Candlewick, 2009, brilliance Audio. 2009. Narrated by Susan Erickson. Reviewed from audiobook provided by Brilliance Audio. Nonfiction, Young Adult. Finalist for YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award.
2010 Finalists
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream
By Tanya Lee Stone, published by Candlewick. (9780763636111).In the early 1960s, the doctor in charge of testing NASA’s astronauts decided to find out if female pilots were capable of passing the grueling qualification tests required of male pilots. Feasible? Yes. Allowed? No. All testing of women’s potential for the Mercury program was done outside NASA’s purview and without their permission. The reasons why will stun readers.
Annotation:
The world was not divided into those who had it and those who didn't. The idea was to prove that you are one of the elected and anointed ones who had the right. When NASA was formed in 1958, the pressure was just to beat Russians in the space race. A team was formed of seven male test jet pilots who were rigorously tested to determine whether they had the right qualities. They we called the Mercury7. Apparently, they passed all the rigorous physical tests. However other qualified pilots who are as well experts were isolated. These thirteen women were not admitted to NASA;s space program in early 1960s. Officially, because of discrimination or call it prejudices you be the judge.Justification for Nomination:
Stone tells the fascinating, dramatic true story of the "Mercury 13," a group of women aviators who proved to be as courageous, intellignet, and fit as any man to handle Astronauts piloting. However, these women were discriminated because of their gender. This uncall discrimination gone on until when visionaries Randolph Lovelace, a physician who tested the Mercury 7 astronauts, determined to prove that, women are as capable as men meet the demands of space travel. Beginning with Jerrie Cobb, a tob female pilot, a total of these 13 women allowed to be tested by Dr. Lovelace. Lovelace's theme of including women in the space program is to provide equality for all. I wasn't aware nonfiction could be so interesting until I read this book. I had no idea that any of the events with those 13 women even had occurred. I found their journey to be reaaly amazing and captivating. I really enjoyed how the author not only include their journey, but also the aftermath of it. The author had included information, which help the reader to understand what women of time were facing. I even read couple of phrases that said, women could not even rent the car. One is left with nothing other than expressing appreciation to these women for pathing the way for future female astronauts. I also appreciate that, the author had focused on their accomplishment rather than their family and hoppies.
Cheers
Lul
