Just as cells are the building blocks of living things, atoms are the building blocks of matter. They are found in all matter, within and around us. Identifying these building blocks and discovering the possibilities inherent in understanding how the basic units of matter works have occupied philosophers and scientists for thousands of years. The idea that a single unit was the origin of all matter was postulated as early as the fifth century B.C. But it wasn’t until the nineteenth century that John Dalton published his Atomic Theory, the first five principles of which are still accepted today. The scientists and equipment (i.e., the electron microscope and particle accelerator) important to the study of Atomic Theory are presented in succinct text supported by color photographs and dynamic graphics. Sidebars, offset in contrasting colors, add relevant details to the text on the page. “Quick Facts,” appearing within the circular image of a magnifying glass, add one-to-three sentence summaries of interesting related information. This book from the “Shaping Modern Science” series closes with a timeline, a glossary, a list of books and websites titled “For More Information,” and an index. It would be a good addition to a middle or high school science class or library. Reviewer: Hazel Buys