The Leakeys: Uncovering the Origins of Humankind (Great Minds of Science) [Paperback]

Margaret Poynter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2001 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Great Minds of Science

Profiles the lives of Louis and Mary Leakey and their dedication to the study of human evolution.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8. The Leakey family?particularly the flamboyant Louis and the quieter but perhaps more assiduous Mary?have been involved (often at the cutting edge) in the discussion of paleoanthropology for decades. Here, in a simply written volume, Poynter documents their family history and traces their professional achievements. Some of the latter have been overshadowed by more recent finds, but at the time, they literally made headlines. The continuous use of simple sentences may seem somewhat staccato to competent readers, but for those entering "Terra incognita paeleoanthropologica" for the first time, the style may well be necessary to foster comprehension of the importance of the Leakeys' discoveries. Two maps aid in geographical orientation, though Olduvai, Laetoli, and Turkana are strangely missing from the continental map showing the Great Rift Valley (though they do appear on a more localized map.) Black-and-white photos are scattered throughout. Readers are also provided with project instructions: "Make Your Own Dig," "Studying Artifacts," "Discovering Your Own Roots," and "Make Your Own Cave Paintings." Delta Willis's The Leakey Family (Facts on File, 1992) and Lisa Lambert's The Leakeys (Rourke, 1993) are written for more advanced readers. Deborah Heiligman's excellent Mary Leakey (Freeman, 1996) is on the same reading level as Poynter's title, but has a tighter focus.?Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Publishers (July 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766018733
• ISBN-13: 978-0766018730
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,817,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Leakeys, August 2, 2004

By 

bookworm "Diana" (Los Angeles, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Leakeys: Uncovering the Origins of Humankind (Great Minds of Science) (Library Binding)

This is a great account of the lives of Louis and Mary Leakey and their professional achievements.This book entails the hard work and dedication it takes to answer some of life's most interesting questions, such as; When did our human ancestors first appear on earth? Loius is an anthropologist and Mary is anarchaeologist who together searched and made some remarkable findings. The book is great at depicting the successes and failures of the Leakeys.