L. E. CarmichaelRecensioni
Autore di The Boreal Forest: A Year in the World's Largest Land Biome
Recensioni
The beautiful artistry of Byron Eggenschwiler makes it more real and for us to have more appreciation of all of the wildlife that many of us will never be able to visit.
I loved it and so will my family.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to any school or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Kids Can Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
[b:Fox Talk|131591|Talking to the Dead Kate and Maggie Fox and the Rise of Spiritualism|Barbara Weisberg|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347374435s/131591.jpg|126735] is a fantastic children's book that delves into the topic of domestication in a way that is easy for anyone to understand. They actually talk about the Russian Fox Experiment, how domestication affects not only behavior but actual genetics, and how you can assess these facts and animal intelligence for yourself.
The topic, while complex, is laid out very well and further resources are also offered throughout the book. The nature of exotic pet ownership is examined in a respectful way that acknowledges both the pros and cons and explains just why legality can come into question.
This is a book that I look forward to using someday for my own educational outreach, and is definitely one that I'll refer many people to while I work in the exotic animal field.
Five stars, no question. I'm so glad that this book came my way. :)
Personal Reaction: This was a great book to explain what exactly the scientific method is and how it relates to everyday life. This is a great book to explain to students how what they are learning in class is related to the real world. Simple and to the point.
Classroom Extentions: I would use this book while I was teaching students about the scientific method. This is a great example of how this can be related to the real world along with providing lots of information about what the scientific method is.
The content of this book is a detailed explanation of the areas of forensic science and each area’s history and role in solving crimes. The reader learns about DNA fingerprinting, autopsies, fingerprints, and chemical use in this text. All of these can give clues to how, when, and by whom a crime was committed. Other topics covered include how firearm analyses, blood splatter patterns, and fiber evidence can be used to piece together details of a crime. This text does a fantastic job of explaining how science plays a role in almost every aspect of forensic science. For example, on page 24, it explains how the American Board of Forensic Entomology uses insects to find out more about a victim including if they had been drugged or poisoned, or if their body has been relocated. Readers of this book would also learn about many important pioneers in the field of forensic science. They are highlighted throughout the text for their contributions towards the field. An example of this would be on page 18 where Bernard Spilsbury is introduced as the mastermind behind the first murder bag. In the 1800’s this was an example of advanced forensics. “Discovery Spotlight” pages are used to highlight discoveries made in forensic science that advance the field such as the polymerase chain reaction on page 14. This discovery has greatly affected forensic science through DNA testing and biochemist Kary Mullis won a Noel Prize for this in 1993.
The cover of the book is simple other than a fingerprint, glass test tube, and a faint illustration of crime tape. The color choices of yellow and neon green are a bit odd, but it still gives a science feel when looking at the cover. On the bottom right corner, it says History of Science, because this book is a part of a series and this hints that there will be some history involved in this texts’ contents. This book’s end pages are plain and white and it has a simple straightforward table of contents. In addition, there is a timeline, essential facts, glossary, additional resources, source notes, and index included in the rear of the text. The glossary is lacking many terms used throughout the text. For example, on page 56 anthropometry is discussed, but there is no sign of it in the glossary. The index in Forensic Science is detailed and includes each topic or person covered in every chapter including vocabulary terms that cannot be found in the glossary. Sidebars are used often throughout this text, offering additional information on the topics in each chapter.
The formatting of Forensic Science uses clear, colorful photographs in each chapter to give a visual representation of each topic discussed. The photographs are combination of macro photography and typical photography and the photographs are of forensic scientists and objects useful in the field of forensic science. The text is void of any charts, graphs, maps, or illustrations. This does not take away from the text.
Forensic Science: In Pursuit of Justice would be a resourceful book for middle school to high school aged students. This text would be great for someone who wanted to learn about the history of forensic science and learn when how and when discoveries and breakthroughs made their way into the field. The ideas presented are very clear and easy to understand. The sidebars do an excellent job of clarifying information or adding more information to the topics discussed on each page. An example of this is on page 58 in the sidebar the text discusses how French scientist Edmond Locard discovered the arrangement of sweat pores along the ridged lines of our fingerprints and how burning your fingertips cannot disfigure your prints. This “extra” information serves to answer a common question a reader may have while reading about fingerprinting. The text uses precise language so that the reader is able to learn the correct terms and explains each term in clear language that the target audience can understand. All ideas are presented in a way that the information is easy to understand and flows seamlessly through history’s advances in science. The tone is neutral with the author writing in an objective way, showing no biases.
One of the six books in a series called medical marvels; this book deals with the amazing technology called gene therapy. The book starts with the story of Corey, “The boy who could not see.” Corey is diagnosed with the genetic disease Leber congenital amaurosis Type 2 or LCA2 at the age of six. It is a disorder in which the patient gets progressively blind. There is no cure. However in 2011, surgeons injected “billions of copies of a healthy RPE65 gene under Corey’s retina” (p.14). Today his vision is almost identical to that of a person without LCA2. The book is filled with many such real life stories of people who have been affected by gene therapy. With the advent of medical breakthroughs, medical researchers have found a way to cure genetic diseases, which were once thought to be deadly and incurable. Although the field is in its nascent stages it has the potential to change the way we think about curing diseases. The book discusses the development of recombinant technology, future applications, where it is headed as well as its controversies.
L.E.Carmichael is a writer of children’s book and has won the Governor General’s medal for her PhD thesis. She is the author of books like Fuzzy Forensics and Fox talk, all of which are based on science. She has a background in science that comes across in her writing. The book is well researched. The consultant for the content is Nathanial Comfort, PhD, who is an associate professor at the Institute of the History of Medicine at John Hopkins University. He too has authored multiple journal articles as well as books on genetics and biomedicine. The book also uses many secondary resources, a list of which is provided in the sources section at the end of the book. Each story is supported by illustrations and whenever applicable there is a photograph of the person whose case study is being discussed in the chapters. Although gene therapy has the potential to cure genetic disorders, the author tried to stay away from sensationalizing the procedure. The book gives a bias-free view on both the triumphs as well as the failures of this process and leaves it up to the reader to make their own opinion. Although the book is written in a way that should make sense to the intended audience, the author did not oversimplify the scientific information. The book frequently uses terms like viral vector, genome, gene insertion etc. This makes the book a valuable resource in the class.
The book has a topical structure where the information is presented in many subtopics. It is also organized chronologically from simple to complex as it “moves readers through increasingly complicated concepts” (Carter & Abrahanson, 1990, p.110) For example the first few chapters give background information on genetics, the structure of DNA and then go on to explain how it led to the discovery of recombinant technology and gene therapy. A timeline is also provided to give an idea to the students about the sequence of events. There are multiple reference aids like 9 chapters with subheadings, table of contents, index, glossary, timeline and additional sources. Chapter headings are concise and clearly indicate the content that each chapter covers. Although an index and the glossary are included, I felt that they were incomplete. I would have liked to see more words in the glossary. This book is packed with a lot of information and scientific terms. A high school student would need to know more than just the words in the glossary to understand the text. There are no pronunciation guides provided which I would have expected from such a book. As a reader who is not familiar with these words, I would have liked to know how to pronounce words like Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (p.30) or xeroderma pigmentosum (p.72). Each chapter starts with a case study. There are subheadings for further clarifications. Sidebars throughout the chapters give additional information beyond the main text. They are in a different font and color. There is a section on selected bibliography, further reading and websites that students can use for further research. I particularly liked the publishers website where students can find links to case study on cystic fibrosis, challenges/approached to gene therapy, animation called space doctor, student guide to the human genome project and a clinical trial website. All these are free resources that anyone can access. They can be a good way for students to do independent research.
The book has colorful illustrations and photographs. They are clearly labeled, legible and relevant. Although there are several illustrations, their placement and frequency does not confuse the reader. Photographs are mostly used to support case studies. They help to convey to the readers the plight of the children who are suffering from these genetic disorders. For example on page 73, there is a photograph of twin brothers who suffer from a rare disorder called Xeroderma pigmentosa. The twins have to wear a suit that covers their whole body to protect them from ultraviolet light. In the photograph, its heart wrenching to see these 8-9 year old kids sitting in a room playing chess, wearing body armor like suits and the only thing that you can see is their eye through the goggles. These and similar photographs help convey the urgency of finding a cure for these rare diseases. The cover picture is simple, colorful and durable. I believe that illustrations support the tone of the book. The book follows a linear format that is easy to follow. It is appropriate to the organization and the writing style of the book. This is a science-based book informing readers about a medical breakthrough. The style and size of the text is appropriate for high school students.
The tone suits the purpose of the book. It is logical, sequential and easy to understand. It is clear that the author understands this topic and has therefore been able to write in manner that makes sense. The content is carefully organized. Language is accessible and can be understood by high school students. Wherever possible the author used technical vocabulary that does justice to the subject. Chapters transition seamlessly. Author’s tone is neutral and conversational.
I was impressed with the book. There are many positive aspects of the book. The book covers a topic that although interesting is difficult to understand. In my experience, teaching students about the basics of genetics and then its applications in biotechnology has always been a challenge. The author however seems to do in it in an effortless way. Easy to understand and well-placed illustrations help understand the content better. The book covers many important topics. While teaching, I would take somewhere between 3-5 weeks to cover all the material that the book has covered in a few pages. The book can definitely be used as a supplement in a high school biology class. I can see myself reading the case studies to my students to pique their interest.
There are some things to be kept in mind before using the book in a classroom. It’s important that this book be introduced to the students after they have gone over the basics of Mendelian genetics. Also there were some chapters where students might need the help of the teacher to clarify concepts (like the one on the human genome project), as they get a bit confusing. It’s also important that students be cautioned about the graphic description of some diseases. For example in Lesch Nyhan syndrome “patients have no control over their self-destructive impulses. One boy with the syndrome put his hands inside his mouth and tore out the bones in his own face” (p.30)
On Destiny (read.uno.edu) I tried to find books using different words like “gene therapy”, “Biotechnology” or “recombinant DNA”, but the only title that came up is a fiction book called “The adoration of Jenna Fox”. I would definitely recommend adding this book to the UNO library.
As previously stated, I can see myself using this book in my classroom. I can use it in my introductory and advanced biology classes. I believe that it will be a great start to a chapter on biotechnology and recombinant DNA. If I didn’t have time to read the whole chapters to my class, I would definitely read the case studies. The book can also be used to review basic genetics; structure of DNA as well as the concepts of the central dogma (transcription and translation) . Readers will experience different emotions while reading this book. Be it elation on reading how a 12 year old got his vision back or sorrow “when 18 year old Jesse Gelsinger became the first person to die from genet therapy”. Either way this is not just an informational book. This book shows how biology can affect us at the personal level. It raises serious ethical issues. In all it is a wonderful book that would be a useful addition to any high school Biology class. In fact I would like to read the other books in the series too.
Content: While I knew, basically, how dogs became domesticated, I didn't know that you could do the same thing to foxes. I found the information on domesticating foxes fascinating, especially in regard to how anger toward humans seems to be nature, not nurture. I also liked how the author compared dogs and foxes throughout the book so that the reader had a frame of reference from which to start about what was being talked about. I also found the reference and glossary sections to be very helpful.
Read on November 26, 2013
NetGalley: Ashby-BP Publishing
Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Members' Titles
The strapline: When you talk to a dog, does the dog talk back?
Fab dedication in this:
For my Dad, who has run out of buttons to burst, and for my Mom, who would have loved to pet the foxes
From the description: Packed with eye-popping photos, interactive material, and first-hand research, FOX TALK reveals the story of these amazing animals… and everything they’ve taught us about wolves, dogs, and communication.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when you spot this book, could it be Yltis? As it happens those bros are bringing out a board book for the kiddies in the near future: What Does the Fox Say?
Mostly concerned with explaining Belyaev's fifty years of fox research in Siberia and follow-on experimentation by other scientists this book is geared to young inquisitive minds, and is of a very engaging design.
Short, fast read however I have a feeling that most parents will not warm to the section about how to choose your own fox for a pet.
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Synergy: Exploring the Polar Regions
The POLAR REGIONS around the geographical poles in the North and the South. Dominated by ice and icy waters, these areas receive less intense solar radiation than other parts of the Earth.
To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for children:
POLAR: WILDLIFE AT THE ENDS OF THE EARTH written by L.E. Carmichael and illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler explores life in the polar regions. Told through the passing of each month in a year, this engaging nonfiction picture book examines how life survives in these harsh areas of the world. Each theme includes the stories of creatures in both the Arctic and Antarctica. Back matter includes a glossary and resources. ARC courtesy of Kids Can Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.