This handsome, oversize book offers a young readers' edition of Darwin's classic, adapted by Stefoff. In the introduction, she explains that her process involved shortening the text by removing outdated sections and multiple examples supporting aspects of his theory. She also simplified the writing somewhat, while preserving "as much of Darwin's original language as possible." In addition to her many useful notes in the margins, commenting on words and phrases highlighted in the text, she has added sidebars and full-page articles usually intended to bring the science up to date, discussing topics such as continental drift, DNA, and the term species as used by Darwin, his contemporaries, and scientists today. Most of the spacious double-page spreads feature one or more illustrations, including many color photos as well as period drawings, prints, and photos. An ever-increasing number of science books introduce Darwin's work to young readers. The strength of this attractive volume is that it gives them direct access to Darwin's words on the topic of natural selection, along with informative updates and explanations.

Darwin's groundbreaking argument for biological evolution is made accessible for today's teens, with edits for language and length and the removal of now-inaccurate ideas. After a brief biographical introduction, Stefoff's adapted text follows the structure of Darwin's original but is augmented with well-captioned photographs and diagrams, helpful annotations, and sidebars that explain the work of his contemporaries and today's modern understandings. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

The bible of evolution theory—condensed, glossed, furnished with updates, and enlivened with vivid photos and images.Darwin's magnum opus needs all the enlivening it can get, as even with considerable editorial work—which includes a substantial introduction, cutting two-thirds of the original text by removing outdated passages and excessive examples, combining chapters, defining unfamiliar words or usages in the margins, and reshaping some of the language—what remains is a lucid but dry mix of (now, at least) cautious claims and undocumented observations: "Mysterious laws govern the way variations occur within a species" Big, bright nature photos or period engravings and paintings on nearly every large spread do inject some juice, even if many seem more decorative than functional. More helpfully, supplemented by the occasional diagram, Stefoff's frequent glosses and boxed side essays unpack major concepts, add historical context, explain how later scientific discoveries modify or support Darwin's broad picture, and even studiously point out where the author went wrong. Young readers seeking to understand Darwin's revolutionary insights and how he achieved them will have no trouble finding more concise accounts (including Stefoff's own Charles Darwin and the Evolution Revolution, 1996), if none at once so handsomely presented and so close to the source.Old news, even to younger audiences, but a glossy edition of one of science's most fundamental works. (index, glossary, print and web resources) (Nonfiction. 13-17)

This attractive, oversize adaptation of Charles Darwin-s classic work of science has been shortened, updated, and streamlined for clarity and readability. Stefoff-s introduction provides biographical detail about Darwin and how the naturalist-s excursions on the HMS Beagle were instrumental to his theory-s development. She also describes the fundamental concepts behind Darwin-s -Big Idea- as well as its significant controversy. Vocabulary words appear in bold throughout the text, while sidebars and supplemental sections delve into related topics: myths and misinterpretations of evolution; how modern research has deepened scientific understanding of evolutionary processes; and the concept of -artificial selection- as it applies to modern dogs. Bright photographs and illustrations of plants, animals, and habitats provide an expansive and inviting visual element. With valuable modifications and enhancements, Stefoff preserves the richness of Darwin-s content for contemporary young readers. Ages 10-up. (Oct.)