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Children's Nonfiction General

Case Files

40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science

by (author) Larry Verstraete

Publisher
Scholastic Canada Ltd
Initial publish date
Nov 2011
Category
General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781443100007
    Publish Date
    Nov 2011
    List Price
    $7.99

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Where to buy it

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 9 to 12
  • Grade: 4 to 7

Description

A fascinating look at how scientists solve today's mysteries and centuries-old "cold cases."

Savvy investigative work and scientific knowledge combine to answer perplexing questions and to uncover long-unknown truths. Using a trail of evidence — clues, careful observation, laboratories and new testing protocols — scientists reveal intriguing answers to such questions as: What really killed Beethoven? Are the Hitler diaries real or fakes?

The stories and sidebars show how scientists collect clues, analyse them, test theories, and arrive at solutions — or gather enough evidence to support further investigation. The cases involve branches of science as wide-ranging as astronomy and biochemistry to geology and physics.

These are gripping high-interest stories for middle-grade non-fiction lovers, with Canadian content throughout. A helpful index and glossary are also provided.

About the author

Writer and educator Larry Verstraete is the award-winning author of 13 books of non-fiction, many of which focus on scientific or historical themes. An active promoter of literacy, Larry is a frequent visitor to schools and libraries where he shares his enthusiasm for science, history, and writing with students, teachers and parents.

Larry Verstraete lives and writes in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

Larry Verstraete's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, OLA Silver Birch Award, Non-Fiction
  • Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre
  • Short-listed, McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award - Older Category

Librarian Reviews

Case Files: 40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science

Learn how investigators use different fields of science to solve ancient and recent mysteries, catch murderers and even help prove innocence. The cases range from crimes and suspicious deaths to lost ships and missing persons. All kinds of science, from acoustics to zoology, are used in these interesting and thought-provoking cases, and each scientist uses different tools and methods.

Source: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Best Books for Kids & Teens. Fall, 2012.

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