Contemporary Biographies in Chemistry

Gr 6–9—Both of these titles reprint 31 arbitrarily chosen profiles originally published in Current Biography magazine, and, in a separate alphabet, 10 biographies of iconic scientists of the past in each field culled from the publisher's "Great Lives" series. Each entry opens with an overview of its subject's claim(s) to fame, then describes his or her career and, in relatively easy-to-understand language, "Life's Work." In contrast to Einstein, the Curies, and other figures in the historical rosters, the living (at the time of publication) scientists-ranging from particle physicist Peter Higgs (b. 1929) to climatologist Katharine Hayhoe (b. 1972) in the physics volume and Carl Djerassi (b. 1923), inventor of the first birth control pill, to maverick geneticist Eva Harris (b.1965) in the chemistry volume-are still on their way to becoming household names. All merit recognition, though, for significant discoveries or achievements. The lack of illustrations and, for the historical articles, reading lists, along with the cursory name and place indexes capping each volume leave room aplenty for improvement. However, researchers and general readers considering careers in the sciences or looking for role models will be more drawn to these convenient compilations than to the prospect of leafing through periodical files or broader resources such as Elizabeth H. Oakes's Encyclopedia of World Scientists (Facts On File, 2007, rev. ed.). Each comes with a one-time activation key for a digital version.—John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York City