Isaac Newton (Scientists Who Made History)

From School Library Journal Grade 4-8-These series titles give well-balanced accounts of their subjects' lives. Newton's contributions are clearly explained, with diagrams of both his prism experiment and his inverse square law. Mason describes how the bubonic plague and political and religious changes affected his subject as well as society. Senker presents useful information about Darwin without overwhelming readers and structures the naturalist's life story around cultural events of his day. The "Theory of Natural Selection" is simply explained. One of the three Web sites listed is Lycos, a search engine, which seems unnecessary. The books are profusely illustrated with maps, diagrams, photographs, and reproductions of paintings. The primary-source quotes, "In Their Own Words," are informative and add a personal touch. Solid additions to collections needing concise biographies.