(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Erik Brooks. Jason has to write a report about some guy he's never heard of--Alexander Fleming. While doing Internet research, Jason comes across an exciting story about Fleming, then must backtrack to determine if it's true. While much of this process is realistic, Jason's growing excitement about homework is less so. Clear black-and-white drawings illustrate some pages. Bib.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(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

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. The books in this series introduce the lives and accomplishments of their subjects. Fleming's penicillin discovery resulted from lucky coincidence coupled with hard work, Goddard's liquid rocket engine was a lifelong dream, Teller's insistence on defensive armaments is still debated, and McClintock's jumping genes are lively topics of research. A time line and black-and-white photos supplement the text. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Unlocking the Secrets of Science titles: Alexander Fleming, Edward Teller and the Development of the Hydrogen Bomb, Robert Goddard and the Liquid Rocket Engine, Barbara McClintock.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian