(4) 4-6 Copernicus Legacy series. Illustrated by Bill Perkins & Max Perkins. Wade, Darrell, Becca, and Lily race against the Teutonic Order for the last relics needed to power Copernicus' Eternity Machine. Whoever recovers all twelve relics can either use--or destroy--the device. Despite an overstuffed plot and convoluted resolution, fans will enjoy the surprises within this final installment, filled with action sequences, riddles, a sprawling cast, and exotic locales.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Copernicus Legacy series. Illustrated by Bill Perkins. Middle schoolers Wade, Darrell, Lily, and Becca are embroiled in a mystery after deciphering a coded email. As the Da Vinci Code–lite story unfolds, the kids zip around Europe, hunting for clues about a time machine built by Copernicus with bad guys in hot pursuit. Most readers won't mind the credibility-straining escape sequences. Instead, they'll be eagerly awaiting the sequels.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Copernicus Legacy series. Illustrated by Bill Perkins. Wade, Darrell, Lily, and Becca continue their international quest to find all twelve relics for Copernicus's eternity machine. This time the stakes are even higher: Darrell's mom (Wade's stepmom) has been kidnapped by the nefarious Teutonic Order, who are also hunting for Copernicus's artifacts. Chase scenes, vivid secondary characters, and codes and riddles make for a stimulating, if credibility-straining and lengthy, mystery.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) YA During the Renaissance, scientific conceptions of the universe shifted from an earth-centered to a sun-centered perspective. Miller profiles the scientific thinkers behind this shift, the evidence they relied on to argue their theories, and the ways in which scientific and religious communities struggled with seemingly radical conceptual change. Historical illustrations in a greenish sepia tone accompany the thorough text. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Great Minds of Science series. These well-written biographies of famous scientists recount important developments in botany or astronomy as well as providing information about the scientists' personal lives and the time periods in which they lived. Together, the books show how the practice of science has changed over different historical eras. These revised editions feature full-color illustrations including portraits and scientific diagrams; activities are appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Minds of Science titles: Carl Linnaeus and Copernicus.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cynthia von Buhler. This succinct biography discusses the life of Copernicus, the sixteenth-century scholar, cleric, and physician whose greatest interest was astronomy. Fradin clearly explains how Copernicus came to the then-heretical conclusion--later confirmed by Galileo and Isaac Newton--that the earth is a planet that orbits the sun. Von Buhler's oil paintings have a classic quality well suited to the text.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Renaissance Scientists series. Goble explains how Copernicus's masterpiece On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres, with its heliocentric theory, transformed astronomy, but also notes Copernicus's efforts to integrate it into Catholic teachings. Influences on his life are presented; some of the cultural material is more smoothly integrated than others. Photographs of period illustrations enhance the text. Sources, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Great Minds of Science series. The books in this series clearly introduce their subjects and explain their contributions to science. Less is known about Copernicus than about Fleming, but both volumes ably contextualize their subjects in their own time and include quotations from primary material. The books feature black-and-white photos of uneven quality and a section of suggested activities relating to each scientist's work. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these titles: Copernicus and Alexander Fleming.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian