(4) 4-6 Great Moments in Science series. Each book starts with an iconic scientific moment then explores its historic and biographical context, with supporting images, primary sources, curated online sources, and critical thinking questions interspersed throughout. With a consistent format, the books respond to core curriculum guidelines and expand on these scientists' founding stories, although some of the "great moment" hooks work better than others. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Great Moments in Science titles: Charles Darwin Develops the Theory of Evolution, Isaac Newton Discovers Gravity, Louis Pasteur Advances Microbiology, Thomas Edison Invents the Light Bulb, Marie Curie Advances the Study of Radioactivity, and Rachel Carson Sparks the Environmental Movement.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Inventors Who Changed the World series. This series provides a basic overview of each subject's life and career, including successes as well as mistakes and controversies. The series' design features generally well-reproduced archival photos, stock images of varying usefulness, and distracting, cluttered screen shots. Some less-motivated readers will appreciate the publisher's enhanced website. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inventors Who Changed the World titles: Alexander Graham Bell, Louis Pasteur, Marconi and Tesla, and Philo T. Farnsworth.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Great Scientists series. These biographies cover the lives and accomplishments of some of the world's greatest scientists. Significant events are highlighted, along with major discoveries. Informative sidebars, photographs, and illustrations accompany the texts. Though the writing is choppy, the series is a decent introduction to important scientific figures. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Scientists titles: Rosalind Franklin, Guglielmo Marconi, and Louis Pasteur.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) 4-6 Great Minds of Science series. These revised editions recount important scientific developments and discoveries as well as providing information about the scientists' lives. Although Goldenstern's text portrays Einstein colorfully, the presentation of his difficult theories is less engaging. Black-and-white illustrations are well chosen; however, the quality of experiments listed at the back of each book varies. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Minds of Science titles: Albert Einstein and Louis Pasteur.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) YA Pasteur's recognition of the importance of germs and their practical applications led him to find a method to prevent wine from spoiling and to invent a vaccine for rabies, among other things. This detailed biography attempts (not always successfully) to explain complex concepts. Color reproductions accompany the text. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Scientists Who Made History series. Each formulaic book in this series begins with a defining moment in the life of its subject, from Pasteur's impromptu use of his rabies vaccine on a young boy to Bell's first successful telephone call. The following chapters briefly chronicle the lives of these scientists. Illustrated with photos, reproductions, and maps, each book includes diagrams, boxed quotes, and a timeline. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these titles: Louis Pasteur, Marie Curie, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Thomas A. Edison, Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, Charles Darwin.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) YA Giants of Science series. Beginning with an embellished account of a determining moment in the subject's professional life, the books in this series then include short segments expounding on events before and after. Photos and archival illustrations, as well as sidebar quotations and a time line, extend each text. Not all the subjects are scientists, though, and Gutenberg is really a history of printing. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Giants of Science titles: Guglielmo Marconi, Louis Pasteur, Johann Gutenberg, James Watt.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) YA Oxford Portraits in Science series. Pasteur's work with microorganisms led to advances in vaccination and preventing spoilage. This detailed account of his life highlights the importance of personality, politics, and public recognition in the advancement of Pasteur's sometimes controversial career. Black-and-white historical illustrations and photos add a nineteenth-century flavor to the text. A chronology is included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford