Ballen, Karen Gunnison. Decoding Our DNA.

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Ballen, Karen Gunnison.  Decoding Our DNA.        Twenty First Century see Millbrook 64p                 $33.27   978-0-7613-5489-5      2013  hs  E-BNS      series: Scientific Rivalries and Scandals     Nonfiction

The double-helix structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 and, since then, scientists have worked feverishly to unearth the secrets of the human genome.  In 1998, the race to be the first to do so took on more urgency.  Craig Ventnor, once part of the Human Genome Project, challenged the HGP to a competition with his new commercial enterprise, and the contest was on.  The author begins with an historical view of early attempts to discover the functions of heredity and how DNA worked, and he then continues with a description of the principles behind DNA’s structure, its chemical properties, and the process of decoding its sequences.  She discusses the personalities of the major scientists involved in both the U.S. and Europe.  The winners in the race would be the ones who would benefit from the glory and the patents.  The information is greatly enhanced by a wealth of primary-source accounts from the principal scientists, specific sidebar data, fact boxes and charts, and excellent full-color photographs and illustrations. 
          

This is a succinct and lucid treatment of the subject, diversified and well-balanced between text and illustrations.   The complex text is crisply written and informative and offers a current, up-to-date look at the science behind genome sequencing and its effects.  It is library-bound and ends with a timeline, a glossary, source notes, an extensive bibliography of books and Internet sites, and an index. 
DNA Sequencing                                                                                                                                          --Susan Ogintz

 

Johnson, Rebecca L. Battle of the Dinosaur Bones.

Johnson, Rebecca L.  Battle of the Dinosaur Bones.  Twenty First Century see Millbrook                   64p         $33.27  978-0-7613-5488-8            2013    ms/hs     VG-BN  series: Scientific Rivalries and Scandals                     Nonfiction

This entertaining and informative book discusses the lives and findings of paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. The manner in which the story of their lives and discoveries is written draws the reader into the fierce competition between the two scientists.  Both men wanted fame for their discoveries and strived to find the largest fossils and perform the best related research.  They combed each other’s conclusions for errors to discount the other’s findings in an attempt to be the best.  The debate eventually dissolved after their cooperation regarding the Morrison formation, but their notorious Bone Wars led to an impressive legacy for both men.

In addition to the informative, entertaining and crisp text, the book has an interesting visual appeal.  Different color fonts denotes points of interest and brief additional information.  Each chapter intersperses black-and-white photographs and illustrations that enhance the text as well as the visual sense of the era.

This short book will delight young readers that are interested in the work of these two great scientists and their discoveries of dinosaur bones and other fossils.  The book concludes with a timeline that helps the reader place events coherently and succinctly.  The book also includes a table of contents, a glossary, source notes, a selected bibliography, a list of resources for further reading, and an index, making this a great resource tool.
Paleontologists                                                                                                                                     --Virginia McGarvey