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!

The Man

Elementary

ADAMSON, Heather. Charles Darwin and the Theory of Evolution. illus. by Gordon Purcell & Al Milgrom. (Graphic Library Series). Capstone. 2007. PLB $26.60. ISBN 978-1-4296-0145-0. Gr 3-6–Readers will find “Darwin lite” in this brief biography. From the cover showing the naturalist writing in his notebook while riding on the back of a tortoise to the page on his famous popping of a beetle into his mouth, this book is designed to entice reluctant readers to consider the man and his theory. ASHBY, Ruth. Young Charles Darwin and the Voyage of the Beagle. illus. by Suzanna Duranceau. Peachtree. 2009. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-478-5. Gr 4-6–Accurate narrative nonfiction is presented in a comfortably large font (and the requisite just-over-100 pages), making this is a good choice for reports. A well-chosen bibliography and engaging endnotes offer direction for further study. GIBBONS, Alan. Charles Darwin. illus. by Leo Brown. Kingfisher. 2008. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7534-6251-5. Gr 4-6–A fictional orphan boy describes his adventures aboard the Beagle with Charles Darwin. The attractive, oversize book is written in journal form and illustrated with large watercolors and small photos of specimens. Factual spreads add information about the expedition, life at sea, extinct animals, and other points of interest. HOPKINSON, Deborah. Who Was Charles Darwin? illus. by Nancy Harrison. Grosset & Dunlap. 2005. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-448-43764-4. Gr 3-6–This easy-to-read biography features large print, black-and-white sketches on every page, and sidebars to explain topics such as “What Is a Species?” without breaking the narrative flow. It also contains anecdotes about Darwin’s life that will interest young readers, including his toolshed chemistry lab and his too-short hammock bunk aboard the Beagle. LASKY, Kathryn. One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin. illus. by Matthew Trueman. Candlewick. 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-1436-2. Gr 3-6–Lasky’s text balances exuberant multimedia illustrations with well-organized biographical information, gracefully sprinkling in quotes from Darwin’s own writing. Touching briefly on his childhood, this biography devotes the most space to the years on the Beagle, explaining how his discoveries in geology, paleontology, and animal anatomy led to his theory about evolution. MACDONALD, Fiona. Inside the Beagle with Charles Darwin. illus. by Mark Bergin. Enchanted Lion. 2005. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-59270-041-7. Gr 3-6–For those most interested in the ship and its expedition, this is a good choice, especially for its large watercolor-and-ink illustrations. Readers learn about the roles of the various crew members and passengers and how and why the vessel was changed from a brig to a barque. MCGINTY, Alice B. Darwin: With Glimpses into His Private Journal & Letters. illus. by Mary Azarian. Houghton. 2009. RTE $18. ISBN 978-0-618-99531-8. Gr 3-5–A fine introduction for children just beginning to learn about the man and his scientific inquiries, this picture-book biography features watercolor-tinted woodcuts and well-placed quotations from primary sources. The text is clear, focusing on events in Darwin’s life that will interest young readers while explaining his theory and its perceived conflict with religious beliefs. SCHANZER, Rosalyn. What Darwin Saw: The Journey That Changed the World. illus. by author. National Geographic. 2009. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0396-8; PLB $26.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0397-5. Gr 3-6–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. Bright watercolor cartoons accurately portray landscapes and specimens while also creating a vivid sense of adventure. An enticing introduction. SÍS, Peter. The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin. illus. by author. Farrar. 2003. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-374-45628-3. Gr 4 Up–Swirls of words, tiny framed drawings, handwritten quotations from primary sources, and the clever delineation by font of Darwin’s public and private lives all work together to create a dramatically visual biography. Readers can wander through the book as if they were in a museum gallery, stopping, skipping, and returning.

Middle School

GREENBERGER, Robert. Darwin and the Theory of Evolution. Rosen. 2005. PLB $29.25. ISBN 978-1-4042-0306-8. Gr 4-8–Useful for reports, this well-organized title gives quick access to information about Darwin’s life and work. Reproductions of five primary documents by and about Darwin are included and transcribed in an appendix. Not for leisurely readers looking for appealing details. HOSLER, Jay. The Sandwalk Adventures. illus. by author. Active Synapse. 2003. pap. $20. ISBN 978-0-9677255-1-2. Gr 6-9–A mite living in Darwin’s eyebrow learns about evolution and debunks the Creationist myths of her relatives in this clever graphic novel. Biography and science rub elbows with butt jokes and superhero battles. Hosler doesn’t shy away from the hot-button issues, coming down firmly on the side of science. KING, David C. Charles Darwin: A Photographic Story of a Life. DK. 2007. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-2555-9; pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-2554-2. Gr 4-7–Colorful photos, sketches, and useful sidebars add to the appeal of this readable biography. Darwin’s contemporaries (friend and foe), the controversies surrounding his work, the Scopes Trial, and the current emergence of Intelligent Design are briefly covered. MEYER, Carolyn. The True Adventures of Charley Darwin. Harcourt. 2009. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-15-206194-4. Gr 6-9–In a first-person novel that would have been considered a biography not many years ago, Meyer takes the facts of Darwin’s life and enlivens them with fictional dialogue and thoughts. She fleshes out her subject’s infatuation with the flirtatious Fanny Owen and his relationship with the Beagle’s troubled captain, Robert FitzRoy. An engaging portrait of the young Darwin. WHITING, Jim. Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species. Mitchell Lane. 2005. PLB $29.95. ISBN 978-1-58415-364-1. Gr 5-8–Including many quotes from Darwin’s writings, sidebars on points of interest, and a summary of the various forms of creationism, this title is brief (under 40 pages). Valuable to young researchers, it is also quite readable cover-to-cover.

High School

ARMSTRONG, Patrick H. All Things Darwin: An Encyclopedia of Darwin’s World. Greenwood. 2007. Tr $149.95. ISBN 978-0-313-33492-4. Gr 9 Up–Information about the man, his work, his contemporaries, his theory, and his impact is arranged alphabetically in a two-volume encyclopedia. From “Anemones, Sea” to “Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle,” each topic is given several paragraphs of coverage to several pages. Extensive excerpts from the scientist’s three most influential books appear in an appendix. A helpful resource for researchers. HEILIGMAN, Deborah. Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith. Holt. 2009. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-8721-5. Gr 8 Up–Beginning with Darwin’s notorious chart listing reasons to marry and not to marry, Heiligman creates a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work. Blending a love story with the history of one of our most controversial scientific theories, this is a must-read book for Darwin’s bicentennial birthday. Audio version available from Listening Library. STEFOFF, Rebecca. Charles Darwin and the Evolution Revolution. Oxford Univ. 1996. Tr $28. ISBN 978-0-19-508996-7. Gr 7-10–This straightforward biography maintains a focus on Darwin’s scientific activities and thought. Despite a somewhat austere look, the book has a fluid writing style that may draw in researchers. A final chapter on his legacy goes beyond the Scopes Trial and creationism to discuss changes in the science of evolution.

The Theory

Elementary

GRAVES, Renee. The Scopes Trial. Children’s Press. 2003. PLB $26. ISBN 978-0-516-24221-7; pap. $5.95. ISBN 978-0-531-18769-2. Gr 4-6-A basic introduction to the trial, this brief and well-organized title gives background information on the national climate, the Butler Act, John Scopes, Clarence Darrow, and William Jennings Bryan. The trial and media circus are described, along with the aftermath and ongoing controversy. Large print, tinted photos, and political cartoons add to accessibility. JENKINS, Steve. Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution. illus. by author. Houghton. 2002. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-618-16476-9. Gr 3-6–Jenkins’s cut-paper illustrations glow in this strikingly clear explanation of evolution. Mutation, extinction, and Darwin’s theory of natural selection are all discussed in straightforward, but never oversimplified terms. A final spread places the history of the Earth onto a time line representing a 24-hour day. PETERS, Lisa Westberg. Our Family Tree: An Evolution Story. illus. by Lauren Stringer. Harcourt. 2003. RTE $17. ISBN 978-0-15-201772-9. Gr 1-5–Evolution is presented here as simply as possible (which, be warned, isn’t all that simple). In large acrylic paintings, a family on a beach imagines the larger living family from which they came. The story of evolutionary change is told in poetic language. More precise science follows as each spread is explained.

Middle School

FITZGERALD, Stephanie. The Scopes Trial: The Battle Over Teaching Evolution. Compass Point. 2007. PLB $31.93. ISBN 978-0-7565-2018-2. Gr 4-7–Profusely illustrated with photos and prints and clearly on the side of freedom of speech and the separation of church and state, this title explains the trial using many quotations from speeches. Ending with a quote in which former president George W. Bush questions the validity of the theory of evolution, Fitzgerald notes the continuing debate. FLEISHER, Paul. Evolution. (Great Ideas of Science Series). 21st Century Bks. 2005. PLB $27.93. ISBN 978-0-8225-2134-1. Gr 6-9–Accuracy and clarity are the draws in this no-frills, scientific offering. Darwin’s travels and research are covered, as is the direction evolutionary theory has taken since Darwin’s time. Eight brief chapters, a time line, and added biographies make this title ideal for young researchers. GORDON, Sherri Mabry. The Evolution Debate: Darwinism vs. Intelligent Design. (Issues in Focus Today Series). Enslow. 2009. PLB $31.93. ISBN 978-0-7660-2911-8. Gr 7 Up–This impeccably balanced presentation of the arguments on both sides of the heated debate includes a list of the key players, past and present, and the battlegrounds where the conflict has been fought and continues to rage. Excellent sidebars, chapter notes, and sources make this a fine starting place for further research. KIDD, Ronald. Monkey Town: The Summer of the Scopes Trial. S & S. 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-0572-1; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-4921-3. Gr 6-9–Viewed through the eyes of a 15-year-old girl who has a consuming crush on her handsome teacher, John Scopes, this novel paints a vivid picture of Dayton, TN, at the time of the famous trial. Young Frances’s encounters with H. L. Mencken and William Jennings Bryan are as well drawn as her own coming-of-age. WINSTON, Robert. Evolution Revolution: From Darwin to DNA. DK. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-4524-3. Gr 4-8–Visually, this book snaps with cool graphics, top-flight photos, and clever word balloons coming from vintage black-and-white photos. The information, presented primarily in sidebars, is just as crisp and up-to-date. There are no quibbles about the veracity of evolution here, and the Bible story of creation is presented as one of many world myths.

High School

BRYANT, Jen. Ringside, 1925: Views from the Scopes Trial. Knopf. 2008. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84047-0; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94047-7. Gr 9 Up–Fictional citizens of Dayton, TN, share their opinions on the Scopes Trial. Writing in free verse, Bryant gives dignity to most points of view, including those of a curious Methodist minister, a teenage girl, and two male teenage friends who disagree on evolution. An easy read with flashes of humor, this is also well researched. DARWIN, Charles. On the Origin of Species: The Illustrated Edition. ed. by David Quammen. Sterling. 2008. Tr $35. ISBN 978-1-4027-5639-9. Gr 10 Up–There are many bare-bones versions, but those who would like one that is profusely illustrated and enhanced with quotations from Darwin’s letters and journals will find this edition pleasing. The text is from the first edition and retains the original conclusion that does not credit the Creator. MOORE, Randy & Mark D. Decker. More Than Darwin: An Encyclopedia of the People and Places of the Evolution-Creationism Controversy. Greenwood. 2008. Tr $85. ISBN 978-0-313-34155-7. Gr 9 Up–Meet the players, large and small, from Darwin’s assistant on the Beagle, Syms Covington, to Michael Behe, the Lehigh University professor who currently champions the cause of Intelligent Design. Extensive, alphabetically arranged, and fair and balanced in reportage, this is a useful reference tool. YOUNG, Christian C. & Mark A. Largent. Evolution and Creationism: A Documentary and Reference Guide. Greenwood. 2007. Tr $85. ISBN 978-0-313-33953-0. Gr 9 Up–Beginning with an early theory of evolution by Darwin’s grandfather, Erasmus, and ending with the majority opinion in the court case on including Intelligent Design in the teaching of science in the Dover, PA, public schools in 2005, the authors have collected excerpts from primary sources on the evolution/creationism controversy. Neatly arranged and well chosen.

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Ellen Heath is the Coordinator of Youth Services at Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA.