Library of Clean Reads: Larry Verstraete

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Kid Konnection: Case Files: 40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science by Larry Verstraete

Case Files: 40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science by Larry Verstraete
Scholastic Canada
ISBN: 978-1443100007
Published Nov 1, 2011
Paperback, 160 pages

If you have a kid who likes forensic science, this is the perfect book! It contains 40 fascinating, sometimes shocking and kinda gruesome, case files, but mostly engrossing stuff that will satisfy any youngster who likes to solve a good mystery.

The book is divided into four sections: Identify, Prove, Explain and Resolve, which are the goals of scientific detection. I not only learned a lot by reading this book, but I grew to have much respect and appreciation for scientists in all areas of expertise, such as entomologists (bug experts), geologists (soil and rock experts), archeologists (artifact experts) or forensic anthropologists (bone specialists). Scientific technology together with these brilliant men and women in their fields of science have solved some of the most perplexing and impossible (with almost no evidence) case files, even hundreds of years after the act.

Some of the stories I found particularly interesting were: the case of the buried skeleton in a carpet (who was the person?) the case of the discovery of Hitler's diaries (were they really authentic?), the case of Beethoven's death (what killed the famous composer?) and the case of Steven Truscott who claimed he was innocent of killing a twelve-year old girl and was finally acquitted almost fifty years after the crime because science was able to prove him innocent.

The book includes a nifty glossary in the back as well as an index for easy searching. The case stories are well-written, not dry and certainly not boring even if some of the forensic talk is detailed and a little complex. It is well explained and easily understood. This is the second book I read from author Larry Verstraete, and I think he has quite a knack for making non-fiction literature for children...cool and awesome.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
I will count this book toward the following challenges: TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Nikole Kritikos from Scholastic for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Every Saturday, Booking Mama hosts a feature called Kid Konnection—a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, visit Booking Mama.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

At The Edge: Daring Acts in Desperate Times by Larry Verstraete

At The Edge: Daring Acts in Desperate Times by Larry Verstraete
(Rated: C)
Scholastic Canada Ltd
ISBN: 978-0-545-99790-4
Trade paperback, 176 pages
Ages 9 to 12

This is one of the most exciting and thought-provoking books I’ve read this year. At The Edge: Daring Acts in Desperate Times is a compilation of true accounts of people caught in critical life-or-death situations, their courageous or heart-wrenching decisions, and how they faced them.

Once I read the first story, I was hooked. I continued reading story after amazing story of survival, heroism, and escape. To quote the author, “When we read about great deeds, about acts of courage, determination and compassion, a little of the story rubs off on us.” How true. Young readers will surely be inspired and motivated to think twice when making certain choices as they remember the stories of those who fought for justice, even at great cost, or those who worked together against impossible odds to help others.

I particularly like the way the stories are written. They are short, concise and with just the right element of suspense. Although some of the accounts tell of horrific situations, the stories do not shock with explicit descriptions. I learned new facts through this book because some of the stories were about historic events. This is the perfect book for the inquisitive reader who loves to read real-life stories of dangerous adventures, heroism, and survival.

Disclosure: Thanks to Nikole from Scholastic Canada for sending this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.