Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure (Historical Notebooks)
Starred Review. Grade 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, MAEND