Title: The Hot Zone
Author: Richard Preston
Publisher: Anchor Books
Copyright: 1995
ISBN#: 9780385495226
Genre: Non Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Library Southwest
Summary:
The Hot Zone tracks the Ebola outbreak from the
late 70s through the 90s. Richard Preston recounts the experiences of physicians, scientists, and personnel that were involved in various Ebola outbreaks. As he recounts the emergence of Ebola, something horrifying happens. Ebola an infectious virus thought to be only in Africa, makes it to a monkey house in the USA.
Personal Comments:
This book is a very thought provoking tale of the emergence of one of the most deadly viruses in the world. Not only is it a thought provoking but also horrifying in the fact that it actually made it into the USA so very easily. All it took was a company importing monkeys for medical research from a disreputable company in the Philippines. Luckily enough the monkey house was able to be contained without any of the personnel dying, although there were a few scares when a few people became sick. Richard Preston made a very interesting point at the conclusion of the book which was that possibly these viruses that come out of the rain forest could be nature’s way of fighting back against the human race.
Suggested Use in Classroom:
In my classroom observations AP biology students were assigned this book for reading. I think that this book is something that every inspired scientist or medical field worker should read. It brings awareness about deadly disease and the need to protect ourselves against it. This book is also one that can rouse the student’s interest in the science of diseases and how they are treated. Not only that but I could inspire a student to get their education so they may do further research and possibly find cures for deadly diseases such as Ebola.
Title: Origin of Species
Author: Charles Darwin
Publisher: Signet
Copyright: 2003
ISBN#: 0451529065
Genre: Non Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Library
Summary:
The Origin of Species written by Charles Darwin who laid the foundation for the Theory of Evolution. This book carefully documents his experiments that he conducted to test his theories. It also documents his results and findings from the experiments that he conducted. This book contributed to public controversy at his publication and revolutionized the course of science still to this day.
Personal Comments:
I have a very strong love for Biology and I am an avid believer in the theory of Evolution. Charles Darwin’s book, although controversial gave scientist over the years something to think about when thinking about our own origins and the origins of the other creatures that inhabit this planet. And over the years scientists have been able to test the theory with the development of technology to so support that Evolution does indeed exist.
Suggested Use in Classroom:
When discussing the theory of evolution it is important to understand where the theory came from and who originally introduced it. I would weave reading from this book in with the unit on Evolution. While some of the technical terms be tricky to understand with the way Darwin words things, I think that including with the lessons and allowing students to ask for clarification would definitely enrich a unit about Evolution.
Title: Andromeda Strain
Author: Michael Crichton
Publisher: Harper
ISBN#: 9780061703157
Genre: Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Library Southwest
Summary:
Five prominent biophysicists give the United States government an urgent warning: sterilization procedures for returning space probes may be inadequate to guarantee uncontaminated re-entry to the atmosphere. Two years later, Project Scoop sends seventeen satellites into the fringes of space in order to 'collect organisms and dust for study'. Then a probe falls to the earth, landing in a desolate area of northeastern Arizona. A little while later, in the nearby town of Piedmont, bodies are discovered heaped and flung across the ground, faces locked in frozen surprise. But the terror has only just begun, because when they try to find the cause of death, the scientists don't realize just what kind of unearthly danger they are dealing with.
Personal Comments:
Michael Crichton weaves an exciting and interesting tale involving the scientists that are trying to decipher the mysterious deaths of people found near where a space probe has crashed. While the story is fiction the science that is depicted from what I could tell is for the most part accurate. Michael Crichton is known for carefully researching the science that he includes in in this novels.
Suggested Use in Classroom:
I think this book could definitely be used in the classroom with taking into account for age appropriateness. Not only does this give students something fun and engaging to read, but it is still something that is related to science. Books like this one can spark a student’s interest in science and promote them to find out more about the science that being weaved into the story. It’s all about using tools like these to get students to want to learn more about science.
Title: Jurassic Park
Author: Michael Crichton
Publisher: Knopf
Copyright:1990
ISBN#: 0394588169
Genre: Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Public Library Southwest
Genre: Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Public Library Southwest
Summary:
Dr. Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler are approached by a man, John Hammond, who wants them to come and visit his new amusement park. Because they are well known scientists in the field of Paleontology and Paleobotany he wants them to observe his park so they may deem it safe for future visitors. Their visit turns out to be an exciting adventure filled with science and believe it or not, the long extinct dinosaur.
Personal Comments:
Again i thought to include another book this exciting for my students to read. Michael Crichton's ability to include true science in a completely fictional and far fetched story is genius. the science that was included in the science behind DNA was completely accurate, except for the bringing dinosaurs back. But at the same time he makes you question and think that with the advancement of technology could it someday be possible to bring the dinosaurs back from extinction?
Suggested Use in Classroom:
While this book is completely fiction it can definitely have its uses in the classroom. used as supplemental reading for a unit about DNA, it can engage student interest in the science behind DNA which can be very dry depending out it is presented. This book without a doubt can encourage students to ask the instructor questions about certain aspects of the science used in the book and its accuracy. It can also generate some very interesting class discussion about ethics when it comes to scientific experimentation.
Title: Rainbow Six
Author: Tom Clancy
Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons
Copyright: 1998
ISBN#: 0399143904
Genre: Fiction
Library Location: Amarillo Public Library Southwest
Summary:
John Clark, an ex-navy seal, has been charged with the task of putting an international counter-terrorism team that is eventually deemed Rainbow Six. There are many different very exciting scenarios throughout the story where his team of men go up against some very bad groups of terrorists. But while the team is fighting the various terrorists, a new type of terrorist emerges that is like none they have ever faced before. A group of scientists have decided to decoct a horrify mixture of virus and microbes that that they plan to release on to the innocent people that are attending the summer Olympics.
Personal Comments:
I had tried to read this book in 7th grade and had a hard time following the technical jargon that Tom Clancy includes in his novels, I later read it again as an adult when I had more understanding about the science and technology and I loved it. Not only is it action packed and exciting, but it is thought provoking. It brings awareness of the implications that bioterrorism can have on the world. Not only that but it is also one of those books that makes one think of the ethics scientific experimentation.
Suggested Use in Classroom:
This book could definitely be used in a 12th grade level science classroom as it would be more grade and age appropriate for understanding and some of the violence that happens in the book. It can be used as supplemental reading for a unit about bioterrorism. It is important for the students to be aware of bioterrorism and the science behind it. Also, this book can spark further interest in science encouraging them to come to me as their instructor ask questions about the science that is involved in the book.
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