What if your life’s work involved developing a theory about a subject that ran contrary to what most people believed? What if it inspired a controversy that continues for decades? Such was the contribution of Charles Darwin, in his work on evolution. Joining other scientists who worked on classifying organisms (Carl Linnaeus), theorized about gene inheritance (Jean-Baptiste Lamarck), and identified recessive and dominant traits (Mendel), Darwin closed in on a theory about how different life forms develop over time. From early Greek thinkers to cloning, the men and ideas that defined our modern understanding of evolution are presented. This book features 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,” shown within the 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

Gr 5–8—Scientific theories and laws are thoroughly defined and put into context with plenty of background and historical knowledge. Readers will find enough information to appreciate the many scientific advances that we enjoy today and see the potential for future progress. These titles are not only written and organized well, but they are also gorgeous in design. Full-color photographs and illustrations are set over colorful backgrounds that add depth but not distraction. Each title includes thought-provoking quotes from famous authors and scientists and some eyebrow-raising “Quick Facts” throughout.