Evolution Revolution
Grade 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, PACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.