YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION : The First Dinosaur by Ian Lendler & Locked in Ice by Peter Lourie
ABOUT THE BOOK
A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019
An Orbis Picture Recommended Title
“An outstanding case study in how science is actually done: funny, nuanced, and perceptive.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Join early scientists as they piece together one of humanity’s greatest puzzles—the fossilized bones of the first dinosaur!
Dinosaurs existed. That’s a fact we accept today. But not so long ago, the concept that these giant creatures could have roamed Earth millions of years before humans was unfathomable. People thought what we know as dinosaur bones were the bones of giant humans. Of large elephants. Of angels, even.
So, how did we get from angel wings to the T-Rex? The First Dinosaur tells the story of the idea of dinosaurs, and the chain of fossil discoveries and advances in science that led to that idea. Be prepared to meet eccentric men and overlooked women who uncovered the pieces to a puzzle so much bigger than themselves, a puzzle far stranger and more spectacular than they could have ever imagined.
REVIEW
The First Dinosaur is not only a fascinating look at the history of paleontology but a beautifully designed book that is a pleasure to look at. I first started reading the book on my phone and I was enjoying it, but I could tell that I was missing out by not being able to see the physical book. So I ordered a physical copy. And I'm glad I did. The physical book is beautifully designed. It's organized in such a way that it seems to have less text than it does. And the text is nicely broken up with illustrations, photographs, quotes, side notes, and other bits of information. The pages themselves are nicely decorated with background images and colors.
I learned a lot reading this book. In fact, I would undoubtedly learn more reading it again. It's one of those books that just has so many details that it can't all be absorbed in one reading. The information about specific discoveries, the scientists who participated in making those discoveries, and the theories that developed based on those discoveries gives the reader a glimpse into the development of what was then a new science. I found it absolutely fascinating to read about the developments. I also appreciated the fact that the faults and mistakes made by the scientists were not glossed over or ignored. The personalities of those involved certainly had an impact on their ideas and people's willingness to accept those ideas.
Overall, this is a fabulous nonfiction title that any young science lover would enjoy, especially those interested in dinosaurs.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A spellbinding biography of Fridtjof Nansen, the pioneer of polar exploration, with a spotlight on his harrowing three-year journey to the top of the world.
An explorer who many adventurers argue ranks alongside polar celebrity Ernest Shackleton, Fridtjof Nansen contributed tremendous amounts of new information to our knowledge about the Polar Arctic. At a time when the North Pole was still undiscovered territory, he attempted the journey in a way that most experts thought was mad: Nansen purposefully locked his ship in ice for two years in order to float northward along the currents. Richly illustrated with historic photographs, this riveting account of Nansen's Arctic expedition celebrates the legacy of an extraordinary adventurer who pushed the boundaries of human exploration to further science into the twentieth century.
REVIEW
I find books about exploration fascinating. Maybe it's because I'm not an explorer myself that I have a hunger to know what leads others into such a difficult life. This story about Fridtjof Nansen was truly fascinating to me for several reasons. First, his background as a scientist made him different than many explorers, leading him and his men to make important discoveries on their journeys. Second was the fact that he didn't spend his whole life as an explorer, he found other activities to involve himself in, that lead him to impact the world in humanitarian ways and not just scientific ones. And third, his dedication to his family was inspiring, especially in the face of the early loss of his wife. That he accomplished as much as he did as a single father is amazing and was I'm sure very difficult. Lourie tells Nansen's story in a very interesting, readable fashion. I found myself enthralled. While much of the book focuses on Nansen's expedition to the North Pole, I appreciated the background information and follow-up information that put his experiences in context. A great read for those who enjoy learning about the lives of people who made a difference in the world.
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