YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction 2010
Printz honor book 2010
National Book Award nominee 2009
To marry/not to marry - the first chapter opens with Charles Darwin, recently returned from his historic voyage on the Beagle, deciding whether to enter into matrimony. He has drawn a line down the middle of a page and is entering reasons pro and con for this big decision.
Happily he decides to marry and finds a wonderful partner in his cousin Emma. They have a long and happy marriage resulting in 10 children, mutual support and intellectual discussions. Emma is deeply religious. She was extremely close to a sister who dies and she looks forward to one day seeing her again in heaven. During their marriage, Charles doubts Biblical teaching more and more as he develops his theory of natural selection. This is a terrific biography based on Darwin family letters and papers. The reader learns much about Victorian life and how Darwin's scientific ideas developed. Darwin was very worried about how society would accept what he knew was a revolutionary theory. Actually by the time he went public with his ideas, it was accepted pretty easily. Interesting that it can still cause such a fuss today.
Probably not for everyone, but students who are interested in science should certainly be introduced to this excellent biography. All middle and high schools should own a copy.
9 comments:
This does sound like an interesting take on his life and I would find the victorian era interesting. I am sure it proves why it won a Printz honor award.
I actually swapped this book in my Junior Library Guild order. I wasn't sure it would appeal to the students. You make it sound much better than the book description. Looks like I will be ordering it next year.
I had my hands on this book a few weeks ago. I flipped it open and started reading. It was the part about their child dying. I found it interesting and gripping but I'm not sure a young adult would. I think this would be one for gifted students. It would be great to use for a class assignment, though, as it has a terrific curriculum tie in and it isn't boring, once you get past the heady topic.
This book sounds very interesting and would be one that I would like to read myself. I am interested in his wife's response to his theories considering her deep religious beliefs. Definitely a title to add to an intermediate and secondary collection.
Would this book cause any controversy with those with strong christian faith and spiritual beliefs? Regardless, I think it's still good to read and understand what others believe.
I've been wondering a lot about this book. It has gotten a lot attention since it was a Printz honor book. I should pick it up in order to open my mind to the theory of natural selection.
I also wonder what his wife thought of his theory.
Sounds very interesting. I am intrigued by the details of his theory and how it was taken during his time. It would be interesting to compare both sides! I also found the pro/con list very interesting in him decided whether to marry Emma or not!
I've been seeing this book everywhere. I would be very interested in Darwin's life, especially in the way his house was divided over science and religion.
I have seen this book featured in many of the publications and cataloge that I receive. Now that I am more aware of its quality, I will order a copy. I think it is important for students to see that famous people, whom we read about, also struggle with real and difficult issues. Some of which are issues that are still heavily debated to the present day.
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