In both of today’s nonfiction titles, the authors speak directly to their readers. Both have the potential to become favorites with the right teen reader. First up, Edward O. Wilson’s passionate and inspiring Letters to a Young Scientist. Maybe it’s the time of year, but I can’t help thinking that this would make a terrific graduation […]
Following Stiff, Spook, Bonk and Packing for Mars, Mary Roach is back with Gulp, in which she maintains her punning, entertaining writing style, as well as her willingness to go to the gross-out extreme. There were actually moments in this book that made me nauseous, and there is one chapter in particular that I believe […]
In 2010 Sam Kean debuted with The Disappearing Spoon: and other true tales of madness, love, and the history of the world from the periodic table of elements. He began with chemistry. In The Violinist’s Thumb he takes on DNA. His talent lies in communicating his own passion for science and making science fun — and […]
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has written ten books, and is known for his ability to communicate the thrill of science to a general audience. His latest is about the future of space travel. Tyson is director of the Hayden Planetarium (attached to the Museum of Natural History in NYC), and host of PBS NOVA scienceNow. The Norton […]
Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and prominent atheist, known most recently for The God Delusion (HMH, 2006) and The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution (Free Press, 2009). You might recognize his collaborator, Dave McKean, as the illustrator of Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book (HarperCollins, 2008). While published by an adult imprint of […]
Judy Dutton’s book is a surprisingly quick and engaging read, all while being inspiring and informative. This one may appeal even more to the teachers and parents among your patrons, but there are definitely teens out there who will enjoy it for the personal stories, the suspense of the competition, and insights into how science […]
Mike Brown’s Twitter handle gives a good sense of his humor: plutokiller. He takes rather regretful glee in his role in the demise of Pluto’s planet status. He acknowledges the sentimental place in American hearts held by the smallest planet, and was sorry to be part of the change. Perhaps especially as it cost him […]
Breakthrough is an historical medical adventure, made all the more appealing to teens because it was a young girl who participated in the experiment that lead to the discovery of insulin. Related books that might interest teens? Another Day in the Frontal Lobe: A Brain Surgeon Exposes Life on the Inside by Katrina Firlik (Random, […]
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