CHARLES DARWIN by Kathleen Krull

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Krull, Kathleen. 2010. GIANTS OF SCIENCE: CHARLES DARWIN. Ill. by Boris Kulikov. New York: Penguin. ISBN 97806700633352

PLOT SUMMARY

A biography about scientist Charles Darwin, this story personalizes him by revealing who he was as a child, a young man, and his battles and victories throughout adulthood.   

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this story about Charles Darwin, Krull immediately personalizes him as a little boy curious about worms.  She continues to highlight interesting tidbits, funny stories, quirks, ailments, family, education, travel, tragedy, and scientific findings as she journeys through his life.  “He rode another one [tortoise] like a horse, rapping on the shell to get it going” is just one unusual event associated with Darwin.  Krull sites her sources in a bibliography, both books and websites, at the back of the book.  The sources are credible and most are related to research, museums, history, and science.  Krull has received many honors such as 2011 Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award and many of her books have received multiple awards such as ALA Notable Book, Outstanding Science Trade Book, Booklist Editor’s Choice, and Parents’ Choice Award. 

She makes it clear to the reader that his theories have never been proven.  She also adds that Darwin and other scientists with similar thoughts had supporting details to back up their theory.  While studying animals of all sorts including rabbits, turtles, gorillas, worms, ducks, cattle, and more, he concluded that, “There must be some law that whatever organization an animal has, it tends to multiply and IMPROVE on it.”    

This biography is written in sequential order as the story begins with Darwin’s birth and continues with his death.  It goes on to the events and controversy that continue today.  The text is easy to read and can be read in one or a few sittings.  While the text is interesting and informative, it is not an overload of facts.  It includes a table of contents as well as sources and an index in back.  The cover and other illustrations are peculiar and grab the reader’s attention. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal – “Krull does a fabulous job of making Darwin real, from boyhood to adulthood.”

Children’s Literature – “In this presentation, Darwin is a kind, curious misfit.  Born to privilege but a non-conformist, the brilliant scientist struggles until he finds his calling.”

CONNECTIONS

*In a private Christian school setting, students could study controversial figures such as Darwin and this book would be a good introduction to the subject.

*In schools where teaching evolution is permitted, students could read and follow up with a lesson on natural selection and the-strongest-survive theory [my title]. 

*For 10^th grade World History, the teacher could read this story before learning about Lucy – the humanlike, fossilized skeleton.  Students could discuss the impact that finding Lucy had to Darwin’s theory.