A couple of days ago, Charles Darwin celebrated his 100th birthday. We here at BookPeople think that’s a fairly important event. So important, we’re having a party from 12-2 to celebrate.
Now although most of the activites in the store will be geared towards a younger audience, there are still some great Darwin books for older kids as well. Here are a couple of books good for teens:
Fiction:
Monkey Town
By Ronald Kidd
In 1925, Dayton, Tennessee, became nationally known when a high school teacher named John Scopes was arrested for teaching evolutionary theory in a public school. At the time, Tennessee had a law that prohibited the teaching of this controversial theory.
In Monkey Town, Frances Robinson is the daughter of the town’s school board chairman. She’s distraught when her father has her beloved teacher, and her secret crush, arrested. As the entire world seems to descend on Dayton for what became known as the Scopes Monkey Trial, Frances must try to keep her own personal world together.
Nonfiction:
Charles & Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith
By Deborah Heiligman
When Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution first became world known in 1859, it created a fierce debate between scientists and religious individuals who believed in a literal reading of the Bible. Even now 150 years later, people are still pursuing the same arguments. Darwin, himself, was not immune to the conflict that raged around him; he fought the same internal battles himself. Darwin’s wife Emma had been a very religious woman and provided Charles with a preview of just how controversial his theory might prove to be. In this well written biography, Deborah Heiligman explores the dynamic between this fascinating couple.
Madeline
Meghan
peterwesley