School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-American history presented in fresh packages. Text divided into short sections, numerous photographs, and generous use of white space combine to make these serious subjects inviting. Good discusses the conditions of segregation that led to one of the most significant Supreme Court decisions of the 20th century. She explains that with the help of the NAACP and its Legal Defense Fund lawyers, five separate lawsuits were combined to form the landmark case. Landau smoothly describes Carson's life and accomplishments. Photographs show this unique woman, her family, and the covers of some of her publications. Although simply written, the book highlights the scientist's special talents and her contributions to international environmental awareness and policy during her life and even after her death. Petersen makes a complex tangle of secret activities clear enough for students to understand, spelling out who did what and why as well as who knew what was going on, with evidence worthy of a detective thriller. The text points to the knowledge and involvement of the United States government's highest officials in one of the biggest scandals in American history even though only some participants were prosecuted. An oddity in the further reading: the section "Books and Videos" includes only three book listings. Overall, this is a straightforward treatment of the subject.-Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.