Awards/Selection Lists:
- ALA/Book Links Best New Books for Classroom
- Outstanding Science Trade Book for Young People
- Notable Children’s Book of Jewish Content-Association Of Jewish Librarie
- Orbis Pictus Honor Book
- New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
- Nonfiction titles from ALSC Notable Books lists 2002-2013
Author's Website: http://marfebooks.com/
Brief Summary: As one of histories most recognizable figures, Marfe Ferguson Delano profiles the life of scientist and humanitarian, Albert Einstein, from his beginnings in German, Italy and Switzerland, to America, his 2 marriages, 2 sons, and 2 step-daughters and puts to rest the unfounded rumors that Einstein took bad marks in school due to lack of proficiency, his involvement in the Manhattan Project and that his life as a patent clerk was all drudgery. As one of the world's most brilliant thinkers, and the father of quantum physics, Einstein maintained his childish enthusiasm, his curiosity about the world and his desire to make it a better place, inspiring generations to come, even landing on the cover of a very famous magazine at the turn of the 21st century.
Personal Reaction: Albert Einstein is one of my favorite characters from history, notably because he was what people considered to be relatively eccentric. He was brilliant, tempestuous and precocious as a child, but loving, with parents who encouraged his independence and imagination. As an adult he was a pacifist, a thinker, full of imagination and curiosity, following love and wanting to make the world a gentler place. As he grew older his appearance became more disheveled, he never wore socks, and he was never more loved or respected as a hero, even by people who had no idea what his theories and articles meant. Above all, I think I respect not only his intelligence but his gentle nature, a lover not a fighter. You don't hear of many people who made an indelible mark on the world who follow that philosophy.
While the book was brief, it gave a good overview of his life, from birth to death, though the chapter on his death seemed the most brief. It is interesting to me to note that the condition he died from, an abdominal, aortic aneurism is the same genetic condition that my uncle died from less than a year ago. I think he would have been pleased to know that he had something in common with such a similarly eccentric spirit. While I would liked to have seen more in-depth information, I think this is a great start for those still testing the world of non-fiction and biographies, where excessive length can cause disinterest. I never lost interest, and it left me wanting more, which is often the hallmark of a great writer.
While the book was brief, it gave a good overview of his life, from birth to death, though the chapter on his death seemed the most brief. It is interesting to me to note that the condition he died from, an abdominal, aortic aneurism is the same genetic condition that my uncle died from less than a year ago. I think he would have been pleased to know that he had something in common with such a similarly eccentric spirit. While I would liked to have seen more in-depth information, I think this is a great start for those still testing the world of non-fiction and biographies, where excessive length can cause disinterest. I never lost interest, and it left me wanting more, which is often the hallmark of a great writer.
Front/Back Matter: Brief title page, full title page, copyright page with dedication, quote, foreword, content, afterword, chronology, resources, credits, index.
Content Evaluation: The credits are listed chronologically but in an odd configuration that can make it difficult to determine what goes where. However, when quotes are used in the text, it is often followed by a footnote or reference to the original source as well, which helps. The additional resource page is helpful, as is the information on the Albert Einstein Archives. I would have liked to have seen more content, as mentioned above, but the overview of Einstein's life is more appropriate for Young Adults still venturing into the genre to test the waters. It's not too overwhelming and of good overall length, so that I would not hesitate to recommend this for older tweens as well.
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