Pioneers in Astronomy and Space Exploration

Gr 7–9—These well-designed books present information in a succinct and uniform manner. Each chapter presents a two- to four-page biography and usually includes an accompanying portrait with a caption, in chronological order by year of the featured individuals' births. An introduction and conclusion offer more insights into each book's focus and will assist youngsters with making connections among entries. Astronomy opens with Greek mathematician Eudoxus of Cnidus and concludes with Sally Ride. However, it does not cover African American contributors adequately. Green Movement presents 32 biographies of individuals worldwide, including Wangari Maathai. Most of the 42 biographies in Medicine are about physicians and scientists, such as Edward Jenner, who made significant strides in preventing infectious diseases. Other entries recognize figures such as Florence Nightingale, who pioneered sanitary techniques that decreased the spread of disease. The volume includes the contributions of women and important psychiatrists in the mental health field but shortchanges some African Americans. Charles Richard Drew, a surgeon and blood-transfusion expert, is given an entry, but Daniel Hale Williams, who performed the first successful open heart surgery in the United States, is not. These titles should be considered as secondary purchases, due to the omission of noteworthy individuals from some racial and ethnic groups. Of potential use for brief reports.—Caroline Geck, Newark Public Schools, NJ