Case Closed? Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science

by Susan Hughes, illustrations by Michael Wandelmaier

Kids Can Press, 2010. 88 pgs. Nonfiction.

Hughes and Wandelmaier have assembled and pictured a sparkling collection of historical mysteries which have been solved--or mostly solved--by applying modern scientific techniques. Arranged in chronological order, the book begins with the Egyptian Pharaoh-regent Hatshepsut who ruled for her stepson until he was old enough to take the throne and who then disappeared completely. Her tomb was empty, but a tooth in Hatshepsut's funerary box matched exactly with the empty socket in the jaw of an unidentified mummy from tomb KV60, leading scientists to believe that mummy to be Hatshepsut's as well as confirming that she was not murdered but probably died of cancer. Subsequent case studies reveal causes for the disappearance of the Anasazi, reveal the location of the lost city of Ubar, and confirm that Anastasia was, alas, killed along with her family during the Bolshevik revolution. One of the most interesting cases involved the missing John Franklin arctic expedition which disappeared on a search for the Northwest Passage in 1845. The thirty search parties sent out to find Franklin lost more men than disappeared from the original expedition, but other than an occasional body and artifacts from the Erebus and the Terror, nothing else was ever found. But testing of hair samples from the bodies that were found suggests that members of the Franklin expedition may have suffered mental confusion and/or death because of lead poisoning, since their three-year supply of food was sealed with lead solder on the inside of the lids. Children even the least bit interested in science and history should find these stories gripping and motivating--leading to further investigation and interest.

Comments

Painting for Peace in Ferguson

Painting for Peace in Ferguson By Carol Swartout Klein Treehouse Publishing Group, 2015. Nonfiction. When the city of Ferguson was overrun with so much hate and despair that homes and businesses had to be boarded up to protect property, citizens of the community decided to bring a message of hope by painting the boarded windows. Klein’s rhyming text supports the photographs of the hundreds of artists and volunteers and their artwork as they bring the messages of peace, hope, love, and that by being united they can make a difference. A great book to show children how a community rallied to make a positive change and that even a small gesture can make a huge difference. A great discussion opener on how we should treat each other.

Dragon Run

Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews Scholastic, 2013. 336 pgs. Fantasy Al Pilgrommor is excited for Testing Day, when he will receive his rank, a tattooed number on the back of his neck, and a path forward to his future occupation and life. He feels confident because his parents were fours on a scale of seven, but he is worried for his friend Wisp who doesn't have much of a chance of scoring above a two at best. But when Al is scored a zero, he not only has no prospects, he may lose his life as the dreaded Cullers are unleashed to kill him and his family to purify the land's bloodlines. Al's world is ruled by dragons--the lords and supposed creators of humankind--so he thinks that even if he survives, he will have to make his living as a beggar or thief. But when Al sticks up for his Earther friend in front of Magister Ludi, he is drawn into the struggle of a secret organization hoping to destroy the Cullers, and perhaps the dragons them...

From Story Time: Summer Week 5

Stories in the Park Mousterpiece: A Mouse-Sized Guide to Modern Art By Jane Breskin Zalben New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2012. Picture Book. Janson the mouse, who lives in a museum, becomes an acclaimed artist by copying the styles of paintings she sees there. Includes notes about the artists and works featured. --Editor Stories in the Park Gray Written by Laura Dockrill Illustrated by Lauren Child Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. Some days you may feel sunshine yellow or orange-balloon bright. Other days you're gray, or even night-sky black-like a dark scribble on a page, a storm in the clouds, or a puddle in the road. Gray is when you don't feel like yourself, or like you don't belong. But however you feel, there are big hugs (red) and loving lullabies (blue) waiting, and even the grayest sidewalk is a canvas for you to fill with the colors you choose. A tender narration from British spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill and subtle, spare artwork from fo...

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog