Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith, by Deborah Heiligman

Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith, by Deborah Heiligman. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2009. ISBN-10: 0805087214; ISBN-13: 978-0805087215. 272 p.

Plot Summary
This biography of Charles Darwin focuses more on his relationship with his wife, Emma, than on his famous travels on the HMS Beagle. Charles faced constant doubts about religion, an afterlife, and God's role in creating the earth--heretical notions in Victorian England. Emma Darwin, though she also had her doubts about some tenets of organized religion, was devoutly Christian, and determined that she would be with her beloved family in heaven. This story tells of the adjustments both had to make as they built a life together.

Critical Evaluation
Many biographies have been written about Charles Darwin, but most accounts of his life focus on his scientific discoveries, not his family. Heligman's approach is fresh and fascinating. Despite their religions differences, Heiligman makes it clear that Charles and Emma Darwin were well-matched and lived a happy life. The New York Times review says that "In today’s climate of division between religion and science, it’s instructive to read about a marriage in which the two cultures improved each for exposure to the other. Heiligman’s most revealing insight comes near the end of the book, as Darwin, having developed his ideas in private for 20-some years, spends a feverish 13 months writing them up in “The Origin of Species.” Without Emma, he might well have written a combative, antireligious treatise — “The God Delusion” of his day. Instead, his experience with his wife’s tolerant, reasonable brand of faith led him to temper his tone"(link). This book was a finalist for the 2010 National Book Award and a 2010 Printz Honor Book, as well as a recipient of YALSA's first-ever Excellence in Nonfiction Award.

Reader’s Annotation
Charles Darwin was a man of science, whose ideas on the origin of species were considered heretical by many religious people. His wife Emma was a religious woman of faith who believed strongly in God's creation of the earth and a heaven after death. How did two people who were so different build a happy life together?

Author Information

Deborah Heiligman was born and raised in Allentown, PA. She majored in religious studies at Brown University--she considered becoming a rabbi for about a week, but then had no idea what she wanted to do after graduation. She says, " I wanted to be a writer, but I didn't think real people were writers. I thought writers were like movie stars and that regular people like me couldn't be writers. At Brown all the people who said they were going to be writers wore all black, smoked lots of cigarettes (something I never did: my father was a lung doctor!), drank endless cups of coffee, and used such big words I couldn't understand what they were saying (I don't think they knew what they were saying either). My bet is that most of those people are lawyers or stockbrokers or maybe ski bums. Anyway, I bet they're happy. And so am I."

After college, Heiligman worked for a short time at MOMENT magazine, then got a job at the Scholastic News Explorer, writing articles for kids in grades 1 through 6. She says it was the best job she could have ever had, but doesn't regret quitting in 1985 to take care of her newborn son. She's published numerous articles in magazines such as Parents and Ladies' Home Journal, and has published over 25 children's books (source). She is married to the author Jonathan Weiner, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for his book The Beak of the Finch (about evolutionary biology, specifically in the finches Charles Darwin studied in the Galapogos Islands) and now teaches science writing at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism (source).

Genre
Nonfiction.

Curriculum Ties
Science: Darwin's theory of evolution
History: Victorian England

Booktalking Ideas
-What do you know about Charles Darwin? Discuss his scientific legacy.
-Share Darwin's famed list debating the merits of marrying vs. not marrying.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8-12 (Booklist)

Challenge Issues
None, content wise. Some may wish to ban it because it discusses the theory of evolution, which is still a point of contention among some religious fundamentalists.

I included this book because it received good reviews and seemed interesting.

The Radioactive Boy Scout, by Ken Silverstein.

The Radioactive Boy Scout: The Frightening True Story of a Whiz Kid and His Homemade Nuclear Reactor, by Ken Silverstein. New York: Villard Books, 2004. ISBN-10: 0812966600; ISBN-13: 978-0812966602. 209 p.

Plot Summary
While growing up in a Detroit suburb, David Hahn became fascinated by science. He took apart every electronic device he could find, and performed chemistry experiments in his basement lab. While trying to earn his Atomic Energy badge for the Boy Scots, David became obsessed with nuclear power. He attempted to build his own nuclear reactor in his backyard; the device he created threw off toxic radiation and sparked an environmental emergency that threatened his entire town.

Critical Evaluation
This nonfiction book reads almost like a novel, it's so interesting. Silverstein paints David's naivety in such a way that his misguided actions are easy to understand. This short portrait of an interesting new item will interest budding scientists (although hopefully, they won't want to follow in David's footsteps!).

Reader’s Annotation
While working on an Atomic Energy merit badge for the Boy Scouts, David Hahn build a nuclear reactor in his backyard, sparking an environmental emergency.

Author Information

Ken Silverstein is the Washington editor for Harper's Magazine, and writes Washington Babylon for Harper's online. He has covered subjects such as links between American oil companies and foreign governments, political corruption in Washington, and intelligence collaboration between the CIA and foreign governments of countries including Sudan and Libya.

Besides his writing for Harper's Magazine and this book, Silverstein  has also written for Mother Jones, Washington Monthly, The Nation, Slate, and Salon. From 1989 to 1993, he was a correspondent for the Associated Press in Brazil. He lives in Washington, D.C. A more detailed biography can be found at Harper's Online.

Genre
Nonfiction.

Curriculum Ties
Science: nuclear power

Booktalking Ideas
-What do you love to spend your time doing?
-The joy of building and creating
-Science as a refuge from real life

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8-12. Some science descriptions may be beyond the capabilities of younger high school students, depending on their aptitude.

Challenge Issues
None.

I included this book because it was selected as a YALSA sci/tech pick, as well as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults in 2005.

In Their Shoes, by Deborah Reber

In Their Shoes: Extraordinary Women Describe Their Amazing Careers, by Deborah Reber. New York: Simon Pulse, 2007. ISBN-10: 1416925783; ISBN-13: 978-1416925781. 411 p.

Plot Summary
For this non-fiction book, Deborah Reber interviewed 50 successful women about their careers, from an actor and a nurse-midwife to a video game programmer and a U.S. Senator. Each interview describes a typical day in the life of a woman in a specific career, as well as ideas for how to break into the business.

Critical Evaluation
Reber is an engaging interviewer, and this book offers a lot of resources to help teenage girls figure out what they want to be when they grow up. Sidebars, lists, and other helpful tips are included to help girls find a career that will be right for them.

Reader’s Annotation
Do you know what a typical day is like for a TV producer? How about a marine biologist? Learn about these and other great careers by reading the interviews in this book.

Author Information
Deborah Reber comes from Reading, Pennsylvania, best known as the home of the "Reading Railroad" from the game Monopoly. She graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Broadcast and Cable. She has written a number of different books for teens, tweens, and even preschoolers. She writes features for various magazines, and shares insights and advice for teens at http://www.smartgirlsknow.com/. Her website is http://www.deborahreber.com/. She lives in Seattle with her husband, son, and German Shepherd.

Genre
Non-fiction
Advice

Curriculum Ties
Career explorations and planning.

Booktalking Ideas
What do you want to be when you grow up?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Middle and High School, as well as college students who are still interesting in exploring possible careers.

Challenge Issues

I included this book because the Seattle Public Library included it in a list of great nonfiction for teens (found here).

Declare Yourself

Declare Yourself, by Declare Yourself Foundation. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2008. ISBN-10: 0061473324; ISBN-13: 978-0061473326. 352 p.

Plot Summary
This collection of essays from famous writers, actors, athletes, and other well-known people, celebrates the power of citizenship and voting. Voter participation by young people has declined since the 1970s. The nonpartisan, 503(c) nonprofit organization Declare Yourself partners with civic organizations, musicians, young actors, media companies, and others to help increase voter participation. These personal testimonials from prominent Americans describe the benefits they have seen from their political participation.

Critical Evaluation
This collection of essays from various well-known Americans offers a multitude of different perspectives on the voting process, from personal stories to political positions. Because of the wide variety in authors, there is bound to be at least one essay that may convince a young voter of the importance of their participation in the political process.

Reader’s Annotation
Do you know the actors Nick Cannon and Lauren Conrad? How about the writers Maya Angelou, Chris Crutcher, and Meg Cabot? Read their essays, plus lots more, about the power of voting!

Author Information
'"Exercising your right to vote is one of the most powerful—and personal—actions anyone can take in our country. We hope that sharing these very personal pieces will inspire millions of young people to vote for the first time—and write the next chapter in the on-going story of our democracy,” says Norman Lear, founder of Declare Yourself" (source).

Declare Yourself is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 503(c) organization founded by well-known television personality Norman Lear. Its purpose is to encourage young people 18 and older to vote. More information about the organization can be found at http://www.declareyourself.com/.

Genre
Non-fiction
Politics
Essays

Curriculum Ties
Civics and government

Booktalking Ideas
Do you remember the excitement of the last presidential election? Get out and vote at the next election so you can feel this excitement yourself!

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 9-12. Aimed at teens turning 18 and becoming eligible to vote.

Challenge Issues
Language in a few essays.

I included this book because it seemed like an interesting non-fiction book that was actually aimed at older teens.