Celebrate the Darwin Bicentennial
The editors of School Library Journal -- School Library Journal, 3/1/2009
Contents
Introduction
Darwin in Print: Selected SLJ Reviews
Darwin on the Web
Archival Darwin: SLJ Articles on the Naturalist
- Meet the Darwins: An Interview with Deborah Heiligman, author of Charles and Emma
- Charles Darwin: An Intrepid Traveller
Adventure! Travel! Exploration! Discovery! Drama!
All of the above could be used to describe the life of the 19th-century scientist whose work revolutionized how we view and understand the natural world. The bicentennial of Charles Darwin’s birth presents a fine opportunity to look at the man, the theories he formulated, and the ongoing controversy that they have stirred. Luckily the occasion has sparked the creation of new books and media, many for young readers, which largely concentrate on his years aboard the HMS Beagle, and the discoveries of that momentous voyage. Books for older readers offer a fuller biography of the naturalist and his life’s work, including a fascinating look at his marriage and the publication of On The Origin of Species. Short of a visit to Down House or a field trip to the Galapagos Islands, the resources collected here are the best way to introduce the ideas and enduring legacy of one of the greatest thinkers of all time, whose theories continue to challenge and engage our beliefs and intellectual debates.
Darwin in Print: Selected SLJ Reviews
**indicates a starred review in School Library Journal
ARMSTRONG, Patrick H. All Things Darwin: An Encyclopedia of Darwin's World. 2 vols. 564p. appendix. further reading. Tr $149.95. ISBN 978-0-313-33492-4. LC 2007026482.
Gr 10 Up–A book about the man, his work, and its far-reaching effects. The almost 200 cross-referenced entries are arranged in alphabetical order from “Anemones, Sea” to “Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle.” Front matter includes an alphabetical entry list, a thematic guide, and a Darwin family tree. Contextual entries offer information on contemporary events and the scientist’s past and present counterparts such as Gregor Mendel and Richard Dawkins. Longer entries often include further-reading suggestions. Unfortunately, there is no glossary or pronunciation guide. An appendix has excerpts from Darwin’s works. The bibliography includes only print sources, although Armstrong reminds readers that many of the naturalist’s works are available online. The volume include numerous black-and-white photographs and line drawings throughout. This reference source is best suited for advanced students.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
ASHBY, Ruth. Young Charles Darwin and the Voyage of the Beagle. 132p. CIP. Peachtree. 2009. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-478-5. LC 2008036747.
Gr 4-6–Beginning with the letter inviting him to sail aboard the Beagle, this traditional biography relates Darwin’s life with an emphasis on the trip that led him to forge his theory about natural selection. Ashby makes good use of Darwin’s own writing, sprinkling quotes throughout the text, which allow his adventures and opinions to come to life. A lengthy author’s note at the end includes small black-and-white photos and useful information about science in Darwin’s time, the Oxford debate, the Fuegian natives onboard the ship, and Darwin’s presence on the British 10-pound note. Deborah Hopkinson’s Who Was Charles Darwin? (Grosset & Dunlap, 2005) is shorter and includes many illustrations and sidebars. David C. King’s Charles Darwin: A Photographic Story of a Life (DK, 2007) is also shorter, a bit harder to read, and filled with colorful photos, sketches, and sidebars. With its comfortably large font and the requisite more-than-one-hundred pages, this biography will work well for book reports, rather than research reports, providing accurate and readable information about the scientist and his journey.–Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
BROWN, Bryson. Evolution: A Historical Perspective. 195p. (Greenwood Guides to Great Ideas in Science Series). charts. diags. chron. glossary. Tr $65. ISBN 978-0-313-33461-0. LC 2007024669. ea vol: photos. reprods. bibliog. index. CIP. Greenwood. 2007.
Gr 10 Up–Brown describes the history of the field from ancient times to today and explains how the argument for evolution has developed over time. A stimulating introduction addresses related skepticism. The eight chapters include information on Darwin’s life and work and biochemistry and DNA; specific topics are highlighted in boxed areas. There are numerous black-and-white photographs throughout. The writing and the concepts make this volume best suited for advanced students. A useful title for libraries building their science collections during the 2009 bicentennial of Darwin’s birth.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
GIBBONS, Alan. Charles Darwin. illus. by Leo Brown. 64p. Kingfisher. 2008. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7534-6251-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–A fictional orphan boy describes his adventures aboard the Beagle with Charles Darwin. Using diary entries, young James Kincaid tells about life on the ship, the places the expedition lands, and the activities and personality of Darwin, the ship’s naturalist. Factual spreads add information about the Beagle, 19th-century scientists, extinct animals, and other points of interest. The attractive, oversized book is illustrated with large watercolors and small photos. The cover is a quarter of an inch thick and has a metallic, paper butterfly embedded in a curved plastic disk encasing that is meant to look like one of Darwin’s specimens. Those looking for a less fictional, more complete, picture-book biography should try Kathryn Lasky’s One Beetle Too Many (Candlewick, 2009) or Alice B. McGinty’s Darwin (Houghton, 2009).–Ellen Heath
GORDON, Sherri Mabry. The Evolution Debate: Darwinism vs. Intelligent Design. 128p. (Issues in Focus Today Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Enslow. 2009. PLB $31.93. ISBN 978-0-7660-2911-8. LC 2008017416.
Gr 8 Up–This book offers an impeccably evenhanded approach to the controversy surrounding the origins of man. Beginning with a general overview, Gordon goes on to outline the main concepts of evolution and intelligent design. She introduces the key current and historical players involved with each view, the arguments that have been made, and the battlegrounds in which the conflict has been and continues to be played out. Ending with a look at how the debate is likely to continue, especially from the point of view of the
*HEILIGMAN, Deborah. Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith. 320p. charts. photos. reprods. bibliog. index. notes. Web sites. Holt. Jan. 2009. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-8721-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Beginning with Darwin’s notorious chart listing reasons to wed and not to wed, Heiligman has created a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work. Using the couple’s letters, diaries, and notebooks as well as documents and memoirs of their relatives, friends, and critics, the author lets her subjects speak for themselves while rounding out the story of their relationship with information about their time and place. She shows how Darwin’s love for his intelligent, steadfast, and deeply religious cousin was an important factor in his scientific work–pushing him to document his theory of natural selection for decades before publishing it with great trepidation. Just as the pair embodied a marriage of science and religion, this book weaves together the chronicle of the development of a major scientific theory with a story of true love. Published for young adults, this title will be equally interesting to adults drawn to revisit Darwin on his 200th birthday.–Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
One Beetle Too Many (Lasky) © 2009 by Matthew Trueman
**LASKY, Kathryn. One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin. illus. by Matthew Trueman. unpaged. bibliog. Candlewick. Jan. 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-1436-2. LC 2002071254.
Gr 3-6–Large and humorous mixed-media illustrations will draw children to this large-format biography. Using watercolor, graphite pencil, gouache, acrylic ink, colored pencil, and collage, Trueman captures Darwin’s world and adventures. Cartoonlike people have prominent noses, expressive faces, and enormous hands. Throughout, the naturalist appears to be both curious and hapless, a description he might have given himself in his own modest journals. Lasky’s text balances the exuberant artwork with well-organized information, gracefully sprinkling in quotes from Darwin’s own writing. Touching briefly on his childhood, the text devotes most of the space to Darwin’s years on the Beagle, explaining how his discoveries in geology, paleontology, and animal anatomy on that trip led to his theory about evolution. Lasky uses Darwin’s own words to show that he questioned the literal nature of the Bible and the divinity of Jesus, but that he wrote several times praising God as the Creator. Although the text is brief, it creates a clear view of a man who was troubled by the implications of his observations and who, at the end of his life, was more interested in experimenting with earthworms and carnivorous plants than in promoting his theory.–Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
LAWSON, Kristan. Darwin and Evolution for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities. 146p. illus. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Chicago Review. 2003. pap. $16.95. ISBN 1-55652-502-8. LC 2003007473.
Gr 5-9–A thorough introduction to the life and work of this naturalist and thinker. The book begins with a description of Darwin’s family life, privileged childhood, and education. His five-year voyage on the Beagle, during which he collected specimens to send back to England, is vividly described. The author places Darwin’s ideas in context with those of other philosophical and scientific thinkers, tracing the work of both his predecessors and contemporaries. Lawson also explores how the subject’s theories were accepted or rejected by others and discusses how the disagreement among scientists and creationists continues to the present time. The writing is consistently clear and lively. The text is supplemented by related activities, including how to develop a taxonomy, tying nautical knots, and making geological strata. Brown-and-white photographs and reproductions create a sense of the Victorian time period. A list of resources for further research encourages students to delve deeper into the topic. This book covers the same material as J. Edward Evans’s Charles Darwin (Lerner, 1993; o.p.), but is more comprehensive.–Ann Joslin, Erie County Public Library, PA
"As well as adult men the crew contained eight boys, who were trainee sailors."
Inside the Beagle with Charles Darwin (Macdonald)
© 2005 by Mark Bergin
MACDONALD, Fiona. Inside the Beagle with Charles Darwin. illus. by Mark Bergin. 48p. diags. maps. reprods. chron. glossary. index. Enchanted Lion. 2005. PLB $19.95. ISBN 1-59270-041-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Macdonald’s informative text is complemented by many equally informative watercolor-and-ink illustrations. Readers will learn a great deal about life onboard the Beagle and its ports of call, as well as about Darwin’s gathering of species, observations, and his subsequent efforts to make scientific sense of both. The author also mentions the ship captain’s violence with his crew and rather breezily describes his attempts to Christianize and educate four natives. Unfortunately, there is unevenness in her writing: she does not include the ship’s surgeon in the discussion of those onboard but refers to him as being jealous of Darwin on a later page, and she mentions Darwin’s taking meals with the captain except when they “quarreled.” Readers will wonder why they were quarrelling. The text is choppy at times, with some lack of clarity. The small maps that show the route are helpful; for some reason, none include the Galapagos Islands. A timeline of the voyage and another of Darwin’s life and works help further understanding, as does the glossary. In spite of some weakness, this book will spark interest in the subject and overall is a good introduction to a famous voyage and the scientific theories coming from it.–Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY
**MCGINTY, Alice B. Darwin: With Glimpses into His Private Journal & Letters. illus. by Mary Azarian. unpaged. Houghton. Apr. 2009. RTE $18. ISBN 978-0-618-99531-8. LC 2008033930.
Gr 3-5–This picture-book biography emphasizes the scientist’s curiosity and determination to learn the truth about nature. Most spreads contain two or three paragraphs of clear expository text in a comfortably large font, a handwritten quotation from a primary source, and a lovely watercolor-tinted woodcut. The text begins with Darwin’s childhood interest in collecting specimens and experimenting with chemistry and moves through his education, his experiences on the Beagle, and the development of the theory of evolution. Although the topic does not dominate the book, McGinty takes on the issue of religion. She says, “Charles himself finally came to believe that there were no answers to his questions about God. He saw the universe as too amazing not to have been created by a God.” The endnotes and source list are comprehensive but, appropriately, do not intrude on the easy-to-read text. Azarian’s woodcuts are filled with cheerful color and capture the moments in Darwin’s life that will most intrigue children. With its cover made to look like one of his own battered brown leather notebooks, showing the naturalist surrounded by his beloved specimens, this is a pleasing package for children just learning about the man and his work.–Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
SCHANZER, Rosalyn. What Darwin Saw: The Journey That Changed the World. illus. by author. 48p. map. bibliog. index. Web sites. CIP. National Geographic. 2008. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0396-8; PLB $26.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0397-5. LC 2008039809.
Gr 3-6–Among the new picture books about Darwin being published for his bicentennial birthday, this one stands up well. On the cover, a wide-eyed, handsome Charley Darwin peers through lush greenery at the top, and an equally wide-eyed and handsome monkey ignores him at the bottom. Inside, Schanzer uses Darwin’s own words, taken from his journals, books, and letters, in the speech balloons of her graphic depiction of the voyage of the Beagle. This is not a full biography, but begins with Darwin’s acceptance of the offer to sail on the expedition and ends with the presentation of his theory of evolution in 1860. Bright, watercolor cartoons accurately portray landscapes and specimens while also creating a vivid sense of adventure. Schanzer’s dedication is to her rabbi grandfather, who served as an advisor to Clarence Darrow at the Scopes trial, but in this book for young children, the controversies that surround Darwin’s theory are not presented. Similar to Kathryn Lasky’s One Beetle Too Many (Candlewick), this title pairs up nicely with Alice McGinty’s Darwin (Houghton, both 2009) to give young readers a picture of the man and his adventures.–Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
STRAUSS, Rochelle. Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth. illus. by Margot Thompson. 40p. index. CIP. Kids Can. 2004. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-55337-669-2. LC C2003-906688-6.
Gr 5-7–A handsome presentation in a slender, oversized format, generously illustrated with impressive, informative acrylics. Strauss’s clearly written text first introduces the concept of a family tree for all living things, then goes on to name the five kingdoms of scientific classification (those programmed for “Protists” will have to adapt to “Protoctista” here). On two-page spreads, the author describes the life-forms included in each species, with specific examples shown in the softly colorful illustrations accompanied by informative captions. The Animal Kingdom comprises the longest segment as it is broken down into invertebrates and vertebrates, with the latter divided still further into fish, birds, and so on. Two closing units discuss habitat loss and its effect on biodiversity, and how one can protect the environment. A final entry aimed at “Parents, Teachers and Guardians” explains the history of scientific classification, discusses the importance of biodiversity to this planet, and provides some suggestions for fostering a biodiversity ethic in young people. This book might be paired with Steve Jenkins’s equally attractive Life on Earth (Houghton, 2002) to demonstrate just how biodiversity became such a rich, multilayered conglomeration. Striking, lucid, and deceptively simple.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
WINSTON, Robert. Evolution Revolution: From Darwin to DNA. 96p. illus. photos. reprods. glossary. index. DK. Feb. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-4524-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-8–Sidebars and photos dominate this highly visual survey. The first two thirds of the book are devoted to the history of thought and research on evolution, from stories of Creation, through Darwin, to genetics. The last third looks at “Evolution in Action.” Information on the fetuses of related species rubs shoulders with variations within species and a time line of the Earth. Visually, the book snaps with colored backgrounds, cool graphics, topflight photos, and clever word balloons coming from vintage black-and-white reproductions. Suggested activities are worth trying, and a guessing game on related species does a fine job of enhancing understanding of the concept of evolutionary lines. Browsers will enjoy dipping in and out, but the book reads surprisingly well straight through, and readers who devour it whole will learn a great deal.–Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
WOOD, A. J. & Clint Twist. Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure. unpaged. illus. maps. reprods. Candlewick/Templar. 2009. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4538-0. LC 2009921214.
Gr 4-8–Using a similar scrapbook format as the publisher’s “ology” books, this is an engaging addition to the plethora of titles about Darwin that have come out on the 200th anniversary of his birth. Readers are immediately drawn into both the information on the man’s life as well as his intriguing work observing the flora and fauna of the world, most notably in South America, where his theories on evolution first began to take seed. Detailed sidebars on topics such as hydrology, orchids, and beetles, while dry sounding, are actually quite fascinating. Excerpts from Darwin’s own writings, as well as maps and drawings, lend substance to the book. Images are a combination of photographs, pencil drawings, color artwork, and diagrams, which add visual interest throughout. One drawback is that some of the fonts made to look like handwriting can be difficult to decipher, which may be a deterrent to some students. The handsome format will draw browsers, but the subject matter and the early look at evolutionary theory will hold readers. An excellent introduction to Darwin and his important work in the field of science.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
YOUNG, Christian C. & Mark A. Largent. Evolution and Creationism: A Documentary and Reference Guide. 298p. photos. reprods. bibliog. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Greenwood. 2007. Tr $85. ISBN 978-0-313-33953-0. LC 2007010682.
Gr 9 Up–This title includes more than 40 key primary-source documents from the last 2 centuries pertaining to the evolution-versus-creation debate. The sourced documents are arranged in chronological chapters, and cover topics ranging from beliefs about evolution before Darwin’s On the Origin of Species to intelligent design and current school-board debates about its inclusion in the curriculum. Chapters begin with an overview of the major events and issues faced by the authors of the covered documents, such as William Paley, Thomas H. Huxley, and Pope John Paul II, placing them in historical context. In addition, brief introductions to the individual readings illuminate the authors’ claims. Each chapter concludes with a glossary. The dense text concludes with a comprehensive listing of print and electronic resources for more information. Black-and-white photographs and illustrations appear throughout. The writing is clear, and, unlike many other resources on this topic, the editors deftly present both sides of the discussion. For this reason, as well as for the inclusion of primary-source materials, this title will be a useful addition.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
Fiction
BRANDE, Robin. Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature. 268p. CIP. Knopf. 2007. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84349-5; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94349-2. LC 2006034158.
Gr 7 Up–In eighth grade, Mena Reece wrote a letter that sparked a catastrophic lawsuit against her church. She has been kicked out, frozen out by her parents, and becomes a pariah among the Christian youth of her new high school. Casey Connor, her brilliant, unapologetically nerdy lab partner is her only friend. When their science teacher introduces a unit on evolution, the Christian students revolt. The mystery surrounding the content and context of Mena’s letter unfolds bit by bit and adds drive to an already affecting and well-paced narrative. The characters’ conversations about God, science, and morality are incredibly natural, especially in light of abundant technical and biblical details. Casey and Mena’s friendship is sweet and believable, and their dialogue sparkles with wit and ease. Readers will fall in love with Casey and his warm, offbeat family along with Mena, and the giddy, joyful mood of their interactions make her introduction to secular pleasures especially vivid. In contrast, her parents are one-dimensionally uptight, and the Christian youths’ uniformly un-Christian behavior sometimes renders them indistinguishable. The most impressive thing about this novel is the fairness and empathy with which Brande presents Mena’s heartfelt struggle to reconcile her belief in both God and in science. She addresses a difficult subject with grace, humor, and humility.–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library
BRYANT, Jen. Ringside, 1925: Views from the Scopes Trial. 228p. further reading. Web sites. CIP. Knopf. 2008. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84047-0; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94047-7. LC 2007007177.
Gr 8 Up–Nothing much happened in Dayton, TN, until the summer of 1925. That was the year that J. T. Scopes, a science teacher at Rhea County High School, asked students to read a chapter on evolution from their textbook. Tennessee had recently passed a law against the teaching of evolution in public schools, and the American Civil Liberties Union was seeking an opportunity to prove that this law was unconstitutional. Mr. Robinson, a local store owner, thought that Scopes could bring publicity to the town and boost its stagnant economy, if he would submit to a trial. The ACLU pledged support, and the teacher found himself in the middle of one of the most controversial trials of the century. What ensued was a circuslike atmosphere that surprised and eventually divided the residents of Dayton. This novel in verse chronicles the events and drama of the trial. There is a host of characters, both fictitious and real: J. T. Scopes (real), William Jennings Bryan (real), Mr. Robinson (real), Clarence Darrow (real), Paul Lebrun (fictitious), and many students and citizens (fictitious). The poems are in first-person, giving a voice to all primary stakeholders–the citizens, young and old, who are stunned by the chaos that erupts in their tiny town. The epilogue provides information about the events and the people following the trial. Bryant offers readers a ringside seat in this compelling and well-researched novel. It is fast-paced, interesting, and relevant to many current first-amendment challenges. Students who like this novel will also enjoy Robin Brande’s Evolution, Me and Other Freaks of Nature (Knopf, 2007).–Pat Scales, formerly at South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville
MEYER, Carolyn. The True Adventures of Charley Darwin. 272p. bibliog. Web sites. CIP. Harcourt. Jan. 2009. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-15-206194-4. LC 2008017451.
Gr 6-10–In this first-person novel, Meyer takes the facts of Darwin’s life and enlivens them with fictional dialogue and thoughts. Charley’s unhappiness at boarding school, his fascination with science and collecting natural objects, and his relationships with friends and family are all explored. His time aboard the Beagle makes up close to half of the book and is filled with adventures with gauchos and Galapagos tortoises, the latter of which he captured for food for the journey home. Meyer also fleshes out Darwin’s infatuation with flirtatious Fanny Owen and his problems with the Beagle’s troubled captain, Robert FitzRoy. Charles presents himself here as self-effacing, awkward at times, yet warm, well liked, and ambitious in his scientific pursuits. This portrait fits with documented research and Darwin’s own journals. Meyer’s writing has a light touch that capitalizes on the humorous, romantic, and exciting events in the man’s life while introducing his scientific pursuits and the beliefs of his time. Ending with his marriage to Emma Wedgwood and before the publication of his theory of evolution, this novel paints a readable and detailed portrait of the young Charles Darwin.–Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
Multimedia
Icons of Science: Evolution. DVD. 20min. Discovery Education (discoveryeducation.com). 2007. ISBN 1-60288-215-0 $59.95.
Gr 9 Up–This animated program presents evolution in six catchy chapters. ”Darwin, the Beagle, and Finches” introduces evolution by discussing Darwin’s historical voyage and his study of the Galapagos Island finches. Other topics covered include directional, disruptive, and stabilizing selection. A section called “Where Selfishness and Altruism Meet” focuses on the evolutionary role that the selfish gene and altruism play in survival. The likelihood of gene mutations being passed to a population and lengthening their survival is the highlighted topic. “Dressing for Desire” introduces sexual selection by presenting the reason peahens are more attracted to peacocks with colorful and elaborate tails. “What Do You Get If You Cross a Mouse with a Mango?” covers speciation. “In the Beginning There Was Soup” explains how DNA can change, giving rise to offspring that are different from their parents, leading to diversity in species. “Why Don’t Horses Have Wheels?” covers cumulative natural selection in relationship to complex changes occurring slowly over time. Beneficial adaptations are shown to be directly related to survival and reproduction. The narrators are energetic and provide added dimension to the presentation. These topics will lead to interesting classroom discussions.–Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Archival Darwin: Articles on the Naturalist
The Evolution of Kathryn Lasky's One Beetle Too Many: An Interview with Kathryn Lasky
by Jennifer M. Brown -- Curriculum Connections enewsletter, 2/3/09
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One Beetle Too Many (Lasky) © 2009 by Matthew Trueman |
The work on One Beetle Too Many (Candlewick, 2009) began more than 24 years ago, according to author Kathryn Lasky. “It’s amazing that I haven’t evolved into another creature,” the author states, referring to the process of bringing her picture-book biography of Charles Darwin to fruition. In this title Lasky takes a complex theory—the theory of natural selection—and a complicated man, and makes both accessible to young readers. In many ways, the book’s seeds were planted while she was working on her very first title, Traces of Life: The Origins of Humankind (Morrow, 1989), illustrated by Whitney Powell. But the release of Beetle in 2009 was perfectly timed, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's On The Origin of Species. Here Lasky discusses her career-long fascination with the naturalist.
Can you talk a bit about how this project evolved, if you’ll forgive a pun?
When my daughter was two years old, I thought, “I’ve got to get out of the house.” I live in Cambridge, right near Harvard. I hired a babysitter, and started auditing Steven Jay Gould’s course, “The History of the Earth,” and David Pilbeam’s class on human evolution. The first book I wrote was Traces of Life, about human evolution. In some ways it was easier than thinking about Charles Darwin and trying to squish his whole life into a book. More »»»
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Portrait by Matt Peyton. Monkey by |
Meet the Darwins: An Interview with Deborah Heiligman: Deborah Heiligman’s Charles and Emma isn’t your typical love story
By Rick Margolis -- School Library Journal, 1/1/2009
During Darwin’s lifetime, his best-selling book was The Formation of Vegetable Mold through the Actions of Worms with Observations on Their Habits.
Did you actually read the entire book?
No, I did not read the whole thing.
Stop the presses. This is an SLJ scoop: Darwin author confesses she failed to finish scientist’s best seller.
I did not read the whole book about worms. [Laughter.] The title was almost enough.
What I love most about Charles and Emma is that it weaves together Darwin’s scientific quest and the couple's personal story so seamlessly. Was that difficult to do?
Oh, it was a breeze.
Yeah, I bet.
The science scared me at times, and I very much did not want it to bog the reader down. So I worked very, very hard at, I hope, telling just the right amount.
Your book is the first to look at Darwin’s life through his love for his wife, Emma. How did you come up with that idea? We should explain that your husband is Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jonathan Weiner.
About seven, eight years ago, Jon said to me, “You know, Charles Darwin’s wife was religious. She loved him very much, and she was afraid that he would go to hell and they wouldn’t be together for eternity.” Literally, had fireworks gone off at that moment, I would have not been surprised. I said, “Has anything been written about this?” And he said, “I’ve never seen anything.” So I knew I had a book to write. More »»»
Charles Darwin: An Intrepid Traveller
By Ellen Heath -- School Library Journal, 3/1/2009
Every century or so, a scientist comes along and opens a can of worms. Copernicus is a prime example, but we’ve all pretty much come to terms with his radical theories about the Earth traveling around the Sun. On the other hand, Charles Darwin’s worms (and barnacles and tortoises) are still causing trouble 200 years after his birth and 150 years after the publication of The Origin of Species.
Some days in America, Darwin’s scientific view of the origin of man is supported, as it was in 2005 in a courtroom in Dover, PA, when the teaching of Intelligent Design was declared inappropriate in science classes. Some days it is not. In 2000, the New York Times reported that President-elect George W. Bush believed that “the jury is still out on evolution.” And some days it is misunderstood or frankly abused, as when the mother of a fourth-grade bully defended her child’s playground behavior to me as “survival of the fittest.”
As librarians, we are trained both to provide accurate information and to offer a balance of points of view on controversial issues. The materials listed here shed light on Darwin’s life and theory and on the controversies that have riled up Americans since his time. Charles Darwin, who hid his own theory for decades in fear of how it would affect his standing and his family, has passed down the worms to us. Dig in! More »»»
