LIFE ON THE EDGE : The coming of age of Quantum Biology - Book Review

     I'm a science nerd. 
     I ended up in the legal profession but my first degrees (bachelor's, master's) were in science--my first love-- and I like to follow what's going on on that world. So I was excited to get a copy of the book I'm reviewing today.

Title: Life on the Edge: The coming of age of quantum biology

Authors: Johnjoe McFadden and Jim Al-Khalili
Publisher: Crown Publishing, 2014
Adult Nonfiction
Synopsis: A retrospective on quantum science and it's application in the field of biology, exploring the ways quantum science can answer questions about what it means to be alive.

What I liked about this book:  The authors discuss the mind-bending theories of quantum mechanics using concrete examples of animal behavior and human biology. How do robins migrate? How do enzymes and genes propagate efficiently and error-free? How can photosynthesis proceed as quickly as it does? The field of quantum mechanics is as complex as life itself, and the authors take time to examine how being in two places at once, spooky connections and travel through impenetrable barriers is reality, not science fiction.
     This being said, I wouldn't recommend this book to someone without some background in science or a serious desire to learn more. Despite the use of helpful figures, an overview isn't enough to explain some of the concepts and I found myself needing to reread sections.
     My favorite parts? Contemplating the rearrangement of molecules from tadpole to frog. Envisioning the creative thinking process when Nobel prize-winner Dudley Herschbach asked German researcher Klaus Schulten "where in the bird is the laser?" (p. 190) And most of all the comparison of decoherence dampening in laboratories (reducing noise) as compared to biologic systems (using noise). References to the noise of "crisps bags" in the theater took me fondly back to the time we lived in West Byfleet, Surrey, not far from where these researchers work! It's a small world after all --or perhaps entanglement of a non quantum variety.

If you're interested in learning more, the authors have links to more information and speeches on the subjects covered in the book. I included links to their websites in the author line above.

Note: I received a review copy from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thanks for stopping by! I love to know what you think of my selections.

Lillian's Right To Vote - picture book review

     Every American should be having a big celebration tomorrow. You probably don't have this marked on your calendar. Go ahead and check. I'll wait . . .
     August 6, 2015 is the fifty-year anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. This Act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson, prohibits racial discrimination in voting. And every American should be proud of this historic piece of legislation. Proud because this Act is evidence of the strength of our democratic process. Evidence that EVERY American has a voice. Evidence that when our laws aren't perfect (the 15th Amendment to the Constitution passed in 1870 was intended to solve racial voting discrimination)  we improve them. Our country is constantly evolving.
     So what does this have to do with children's books?
     Voting laws don't sound like exciting plot material?
     Read this book.

Title: Lillian's Right to Vote

Author: Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade, 2015
Intended Age: 5-9
Themes: Civil Rights, Voting, Diversity
First Lines:  "A very old woman stands at the bottom of a very steep hill. It's Voting Day, she's an American, and by God, she is going to vote. Lillian is her name."
Synopsis: A 100-year old African-American woman recalls her ancestors' stories of discrimination and famous Civil Rights moments as she climbs a hill on her way to cast her vote.

Why I like this book: I am a big humongous fan of Jonah Winter and Shane W. Evans work. When I reviewed Shane's book We March I used the word "powerful." And that's what I felt here. The steep hill Lillian climbs is literal, and metaphorical. The reader sees it and feels it and midway through the book I found myself huffing and puffing with imagined exertion, willing Lillian up the climb. The author and illustrator don't shy away from showing the horrible indignities that people suffered from slavery to Selma. Men. Women. Children. Treated as less than others. The muted sketchy-quality used to illustrate the generations past that accompany Lillian feel like present day ghostly figures reminding us not to forget. The illustrator has put Lillian in a vibrant Sunday-best coat and hat with matching high heel shoes, emphasizing the dignity and importance of her personal moment. An unforgettable book. It may be targeted for young readers but I say it is for all ages.
A master class for illustrators, my favorite spread uses the gutter to show Lillian's voting history.

During the 2008 election, I remember reading the story of the real woman, a fellow Pennsylvanian, who inspired the book. In research for this post I was sad to see that Lillian Griffin Allen passed away earlier this year at the age of 107. I hope advance reader copies were passed out in heaven.
Note to parents: the book contains one nude male figure  (the second spread) seen from the back. This slave figure in bondage is the focal point of the illustration. It is not gratuitous. The image, standing next to his wife (wearing a skirt made of burlap-gorgeous mixed-media texture) is concise and powerful.
Resources/Activities:

• Surfnetkids recommends five websites relating to the Voting Rights Act for parents and children. 
• For older children (grades 7-12) -The National Archives - Center for Legislative Archives
• Take your children along with you to vote.
• Talk about democracy and why you vote. Have mock elections for everyday things - ex. vegetable to be served at dinner! Then talk about how it feels if everyone else in the family gets to vote except one person.
• Read all of Jonah Winter and Shane W. Evans books. Vote on favorites.

Note: I received a review copy from Random House in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Thanks for stopping by! I love to know what you think of my selections.

THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT

     I have never net Penny Parker Klostermann in person. But I consider her a friend. Why? We belong to several of the same online writing groups, and the writing process is such an intimate one that it engenders feelings of camaraderie that I don't feel in other online relationships.
    My thumbs up for the title today, however, isn't because of any relationship.
     Enjoy this book because it's good fun.

Title: There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight
Author: Penny Parker Klostermann
Illustrator: Ben Mantle
Publisher: Random House
Intended Age: 3-7
Themes: Humor, Gluttony

Opening Line: There was an old dragon who swallowed a knight.
                        I don't know why he swallowed the knight.

Synopsis: A dragon swallows a succession of people and items in this cumulative tale following the structure of "There was an old woman who swallowed a fly."

Why I like this book: The rhyming text is smart and snappy. A great read-along with the refrain: "It's not polite!" The illustrations provide a cutaway view inside the dragon as each new person lands atop the others. While some younger ones may feel sorry for the knight, the illustrator cleverly provided ample warnings to him, so it feels as if the knight got what was coming to him. And all the while the faithful steed keeps "clippity, clippity" clopping--even across the endpapers.

Warning signs aplenty!

Resources/Activities: Random House provided an activity guide.
Susanna Leonard Hill reviewed this book before release in a special Perfect Picture Book Friday post.

Note: I received a review copy from Random House in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thanks for stopping by! I love to know what you think of my selections.