Albert Einstein

Starred review from October 1, 2009
Gr 5-8-Krull once again demonstrates her ability to balance a description of the personality of a genius with the significance of his contribution to science. In 13 chapters, she addresses the myths of Einstein as a poorly performing student who "bugged his teachers" and an unlikely genius known for his "bedhead." The author employs colloquial terms and concrete examples to make her work both engaging and accessible to young audiences. While delivering Einstein's theories is a task few biographers could accomplish, Krull's use of imagery, like Einstein's own thought pictures, will give readers a reasonable idea of his theorems. Einstein is depicted as a rebel student, absentminded scientist, and distracted parent who made mistakes and had his regrets, but who also retained his curiosity and continued to work on answering the questions he imagined. The final chapter explains why he was important, and how modern experiments continue to prove his theories. Kulikov's pen-and-ink illustrations offer lighthearted interpretations of the text. A useful list of quality resources indicates which titles are appropriate for young readers."Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2009
Grades 6-9 Slow to develop, Einstein retained a childs curiosity and determination to understand the world throughout a lifetime of scientific thinking. The breezy tone of this newest biography of the man whose name has become a synonym for genius is evident from its opening sentence: Albert Einstein had major bedhead. Starting with his childhood, she provides the main points of his public and private lives, including his efforts first in favor of and then in opposition to nuclear weapons. She doesnt gloss over his difficulties getting along with others, but sets those problems in the context of his breathtaking contributions: the quantum theory of light, proof of the existence of atoms, and special and general relativity. While Einsteins accomplishments may tower over those of the other scientists profiled in Krulls Giants of Science series, she explains them in a fashion appropriate for her middle school audience. Kulikovs drawings add to the humor, and a bibliography highlights additional reading. For independent readers and report writers, this is a very appealing addition to a long bookshelf.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)