School Library Journal
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Gr 6-12-- Eight American scientists are featured in these brief profiles. The writing is competent, with an emphasis on factual material over personal anecdotes. Yount includes a chronology of each person's life and informative, annotated bibliographies. Overall, this is a useful source for reports. The introduction should be noted, for the author mentions how racism both created obstacles for African-Americans and helped mythologize some figures' achievements (she cites Benjamin Banneker as an example). She also mentions the opposing viewpoints of Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois on the best approach to educating blacks and improving their societal lot in life. Readers may disagree with the views presented, but the political and historical context that helped to mold these scientists and their public images is significant. --Cathryn A. Camper, Minneapolis Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.