Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History's Mysteries - Hardcover

MacLeod, Elizabeth; Askar, Saoussan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1554514835 ISBN 13: 9781554514830

Publisher: Annick Press, 2013

Synopsis

How did King Tut really die? The mystery of the young pharaoh’s death is only one of the puzzles that modern science has helped solve. Thanks to forensics the science of examining physical evidence we now know that King Tut died of malaria. We also know that stomach cancer, and not arsenic as suspected, killed Napoleon. Seven intriguing stories about historical royal figures whose demise was suspicious, and hard scientific facts about crime-solving techniques make each event seem like an episode of CSI rather than a history lesson. Kids will be fascinated to find out how scientists use autopsy results, DNA testing, bone fragments, and even insects to determine the cause of death. At times a gripping whodunit, at others an exercise in deductive reasoning, this book will be hard to put down for any kids who love mysteries, murder, and suspense.

About this title

About the Author:

Elizabeth MacLeod is a prolific author of non-fiction books for children, including biographies, craft books, and the Ontario Library Association's Red Maple Award-winning Royal Murder. She lives in Toronto.

Review:

Best Books for Children 2013 (Science Books and Film 2014-01-01)

starred review) When I was six years old, I read a book that set me on a scientific path toward a career in biological anthropology and university research. Bones Never Lie may be that kind of influential book for some of today's pre-teens... Readers are treated to historic mysteries about the identity, cause and manner of death of (in)famous individuals from 800 CE through 1946... Explanations of scientific method of thinking and logic are age-appropriate yet accurate, and I learned new information about cases I hadn't revisited in recent years... An interesting, informative and engaging read. (Nikki L. Rogers Science Books and Film 2014-01-01)

An appealing introduction to some intriguing mysteries from history's cold cases. (Carolyn Phelan Booklist Online 2013-04-19)

Curious readers will devour this book which is attractively illustrated with appropriate colour and black and white photographs. (Val Ken Lem Canadian Materials 2013-06-14)

Young readers ages nine to 12 will be intrigued by the book's whodunit style, and the many photographs, sidebars and glossary of terms, all of which contribute to the mystery-solving. (Brenda Hoerle Guelph Mercury Record 2013-04-13)

A fully fleshed and crisply told story of forensics at its romantic best. (Kirkus Reviews)

A must-have for middle school libraries and science classrooms. (Mrs. Readerpants 2013-06-21)

Bones Never Lie enhances traditional history and science lessons with murderous mysteries, treacherous plot lines, and a funhouse touch of terror. (Nikki Luscombe Quill and Quire)

With colorful photography, excellent graphic images, poignant questions and a fast-paced writing style, this intriguing book will fascinate young readers. (Karen Hildebrand Reading Today Online 2013-05-22)

The topic is great for the intended age group; the discussion is sometimes gross and grisly but also realistic and accessible. (Leslie Vermeer Resource Links)

About this edition

• Publisher: Annick Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1554514835
• ISBN 13: 9781554514830
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160
• Illustrator: Martchenko Michael