Gene Hunter: The Story of Neuropsychologist Nancy Wexler (Women's Adventures in Science) [Library Binding]

Adele Glimm (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up | Series: Women's Adventures in Science

Nancy Wexler is a hunter. Her quarry is the gene responsible for a fatal, inherited sickness called Huntington's disease. Finding this gene is a vital step toward preventing or curing Huntington's and thus saving lives. Nancy's work is a breathtaking race against time—not only for others but maybe for herself, as well. Nancy, the daughter of a Huntington's patient, is at risk for this disease. Nancy's work takes her all over the world, specifically to small villages in Venezuela where the mysterious gene affects more people than anywhere else on the globe. Blood samples generously donated by the villagers hold the clues to discovering the gene. Hunter, detective, scientist—Nancy is all these, plus a friend to people everywhere who are affected by Huntington's and other diseases of the brain. Gene Hunter is the powerful story of a scientist and her science. To tell this true tale of courage and discovery, author Adele Glimm drew on firsthand accounts from Nancy and her friends, family, and colleagues. How did a curious, strong-minded young girl become a renowned genetic researcher, determined to unlock the secrets of inherited diseases? The life story of Nancy Wexler will intrigue and inspire readers of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10–These three titles mix personal information about the woman with scientific skills and information related to her field. Fact boxes go into greater detail about terms such as greenhouse gases or genes. Each volume is filled with full-color photographs of the subject and her work. Students will be comfortable with the style of these books, and the easy reading level makes them accessible for even nonscience-oriented students.–Lynn Evarts, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie du Sac, WI
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Book Description

Nancy Wexler is a hunter. Her quarry is the gene responsible for a fatal, inherited sickness called Huntington’s disease. Nancy’s work is a breathtaking race against time—not only for others but maybe for herself, as well. Nancy Wexler is the daughter of a Huntington’s patient and is at risk for this disease. Finding this gene is a vital step toward preventing or curing Huntington’s and thus saving lives. Nancy’s work takes her all over the world, specifically to small villages in Venezuela where the mysterious gene affects more people than anywhere else on the globe. Blood samples generously donated by the villagers hold the clues to discovering the gene. Hunter, detective, scientist— Nancy is all these, plus a friend to people everywhere who are affected by Huntington’s and other diseases of the brain. Gene Hunter is the powerful story of a courageous and dedicated woman whose passion for science is both personally and intellectually satisfying. Author Adele Glimm draws on firsthand accounts from Nancy and her friends, family, and colleagues to tell us how a curious, strongminded --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Library Binding: 118 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press(CT) (October 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 053116778X
• ISBN-13: 978-0531167786
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,265,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!!, December 20, 2005

By 

D. M. Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gene Hunter: The Story of Neuropsychologist Nancy Wexler (Women's Adventures in Science) (Library Binding)

In the Gene Hunter, we learn the story of one woman's crusade to understand the genetic disorder known as Huntington 's disease. Nancy Wexler, the `gene hunter' in question has herself been impacted by the disease having lost her mother and other relatives to Huntington's. The book tells Wexler's story from her the formative experiences in education and her private life to her recent work in remote areas of Venezuela where there is a high concentration of people suffering from the disease. The book is excellent for its accessibility. The author has managed to take a complicated field of science, genetics and genomics, and made it understandable for adolescents. Unlike many books dealing with complex sciences aimed at young adults, the Gene Hunter does not pander. Rather, through clear and concise writing the book is able to convey the various intricacies of the genetics of Huntington 's disease without being either overly complicated or simple-a difficult achievement. A wonderful book with beautiful illustrations and photographs, I would recommend this book not only to the young adult readers at which it is aimed, but to anyone who wishes to learn more about Huntington's disease.

5.0 out of 5 stars THE POWER OF ONE, OR THREE..., December 10, 2007

By 

S. J. Fiegen "Minnesandy" (Fridley, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gene Hunter: The Story Of Neuropsychologist Nancy Wexler (Hardcover)

Nancy Wexler and her family & friends did for research what Rosa Parks did for segregation. BRAVO!!! EVERYONE on the planet should read this, know this, and try to emulate their determination and commitment to any and all causes...NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, HERE IS YOUR ROLE MODEL!!!