(4) 4-6 Science Quest series. Beginning with Gregor Mendel and continuing to the present, Phelan writes about the scientists who discovered DNA and its structure. The brief text does not treat the subject in depth, telling more about the researchers' partnerships and rivalries than about DNA itself. The clean design includes many photos and scientific models. A running timeline helps provide historical context. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) YA Nobel Prize-Winning Scientists series. After a first chapter explaining their subjects' overall scientific contributions, these books relate the events surrounding their Nobel award. Although a bit dry, the writing is generally balanced and fluid, except for the awkward Einstein volume. Black-and-white photos and occasional diagrams illustrate the books, and a few simple experiments are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Nobel Prize-Winning Scientists titles: James Watson, Albert Einstein, Linus Pauling, and Enrico Fermi.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Scientists Who Made History series. The books in this series capably introduce their subjects, including Marconi's experiments with wireless communication and Franklin's discovery of the structure of DNA. Short subdivisions are illustrated with photos--most relevant and some gratuitous--and other art; sidebars offer direct quotations and expanded explanations, many clear and a few insufficient. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Scientists Who Made History titles: Dian Fossey, Guglielmo Marconi, John Logie Baird, Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Faraday, and Rosalind Franklin.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) YA Oxford Portraits in Science series. Published spring 1998. Edelson presents warts-and-all retelling of the quest to determine the molecular structure of DNA. While essential to the story, the level of discourse on the intricacies of molecular biology may bog down some readers. Fittingly, the text ends with a brief discussion of the successful cloning of sheep in Scotland and touches on the major questions raised by this new technology. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander