They Changed The World: Crick & Watson

Gr 7–10—Tackling James Watson and Francis Crick's Nobel Prize—winning discovery that DNA is comprised of a double helix, this second entry in the series presents the quest to answer one of the biggest questions: What is life? The author stresses how scientific advancements build upon one another, not only highlighting the formative experiences of Watson and Crick but also discussing the work of Gregor Mendel and Friedrich Miescher, both of whom were studying DNA nearly 100 years earlier. The action is balanced by biographical information about scientists Linus Pauling, Rosalind Franklin, and Maurice Wilkins, whose work contributed greatly to Watson and Crick's breakthrough. Helfand emphasizes that Watson and Crick benefitted from the open exchange of ideas, while Wilkins and Franklin were negatively impacted by their lack of communication. The artwork is photorealistic, working well with the emotional range of the text and often featuring panels that overlap, giving each illustration a snapshotlike quality. The text ends with a final look at the landmark work of Watson and Crick and lists the advancements that have occurred in DNA science since, including DNA fingerprinting, cloning, and genetic screening. Back matter contains brief paragraphs of information about DNA, cloned sheep, the origin of genetics, and biochemistry.