Albert Einstein Portrait of Albert Einstein taken by Yousuf Karsh February 11, 1948    Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879--April 18, 1955) was a theoretical physicist who is widely regarded as the greatest scientist of the 20th century. He proposed the theory of relativity and also made major contributions to the development of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and cosmology. He was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect and "for his services to Theoretical Physics".    After his general theory of relativity was formulated in November 1915, Einstein became world-famous, an unusual achievement for a scientist. In his later years, his fame exceeded that of any other scientist in history, and in popular culture, Einstein has become a byword for great intelligence or even genius. His face remains one of the most recognizable in the world. This popularity has also led to widespread use of Einstein in advertising and merchandising, including the registration of "Albert Einstein" as a trademark. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)    The June 2005 issue of the Smithsonian presents an excellent feature about this great scientist and his discoveries. This is the year designated around the world to celebrate the achievements of the phenomenal man. It was one hundred years ago that he produced four papers that revolutionized science. "One explained how to measure the size of molecules in a liquid, a second posited how to determine their movement, and a third described how light comes in packets called photons-the foundation of quantum physics and the idea that eventually won him the Nobel Prize. A fourth paper introduced special relativity, leading physicists to reconsider notions of space and time…"    For more information there are thousands of web sites that can be searched , but the following should be sufficient to get budding scientists immersed in his life and work. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein Nobel Prize biographies: http://nobelprize.org/physics/laureates/1921/einstein-bio.html American Institue of Physics http://www.aip.org/history/einstein/    In addition there has been a flurry of books for children and young adults and several have been reviewed below. Contributor: Marilyn Courtot Reviews Albert Einstein Ann Heinrichs    This handsomely designed biography, filled with color and black-and-white photographs, is part of the "Trailblazers of the Modern World" series. The lively text gives a full picture of Einstein's life, not only his revolutionary theories of space and time, but also his pacifism, his commitment to Zionism and the state of Israel, his marriages, and his deep fear that Nazi Germany would develop an atomic bomb. The use of letters and sidebars also helps to give the reader a deeper context for Einstein's extraordinary impact. Einstein's life is well-known, but new information is included about the daughter he and his first wife had before their marriage, and his living arrangements in Princeton. A glossary, timeline, index, and suggestions for further reading are included. 2002, World Almanac Library, $26.60. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Miriam Rinn (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8368-5069-6 Albert Einstein: Genius of the Twentieth Century Allison Lassieur    Did you know Albert Einstein's brain was used for research? Did you know Einstein was Jewish, had dropped out of high school, and had an offer to become president of Israel? These are just a few facts that can be found in this biography. Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany in the late 1800's. Einstein spoke out against the Nazi government and became a professor in the United States to stay safe. Perhaps Einstein is best known for the equation E = mc². In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. The table of contents guides the reader to different aspects of Einstein's life: early years, new challenges, war in Germany, and the later years. Aside from the twelve chapters, there is also a useful index of information categorized by subject. The layout is crisp and clean with pictures and captions throughout. There are several short, descriptive anecdotes within some of the pages that give rich insight into Einstein such as his first love, his love for music, and a funny issue with a paper clip. The information located in this book is invaluable, especially for those researching Einstein. There is a wealth of information included in this well organized, easy to read book. 2005, Franklin Watts/Scholastic Inc, Ages 10 to Adult, $29.50. Reviewer: Kelly Grebinoski ISBN: 0-531-12401-0 Albert Einstein: A Life of Genius Elizabeth MacLeod    Family reunions may seem old fashioned but on the very first page, young Jodie is talking to her grandmother on a cordless phone, making arrangements for that special week in June. The entire visit is then recalled in a collection of poems. There are some mixed emotions--"what will we do for one whole week?"--and the memory of the tiny rocker on the porch that--"Two years ago it fit just right, rock-rock, rock-rock, And now it's tight." There are Grandpa's pancakes, a dog that barks at clouds, a cousin's glass harp, and nighttime storytelling when each grown-up becomes a kid. Mary Quattlebaum paints delicate pictures with her words--fireflies as "crumbs of light," fog that "cottons everything." The watercolor illustrations are as soft and comforting as an old quilt, spare and yet full of feeling. A perfect book for class or family reading, especially to inspire poetry as a form of journal writing. 2004, Eerdmans Books, $16.00. Ages 4 up. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature).    Did one of the world's most brilliant scientists and developer of the theory of relativity really say "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer?" He did, and curious readers will learn much more about his scientific theories and unusual life through the pages of this book. The text is primarily contained on the left hand pages with the right hand pages being devoted to a collage of photographs, illustrations, reproductions of Einstein's handwriting and more. Examples of chapter titles include Early Thinking, Physics before Albert, It's all Relative and Atom Bomb! The last few pages of the book contain a superbly detailed timeline and an index, along with an interesting column simply headed "Visit Albert." Four different houses, memorials and research labs in Switzerland, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and Germany are described. A really neat book for fans of this theoretical physicist or for the casual page-turner who will assuredly be hooked! The book would work equally well in a biography unit or in a science unit. The author lives in Toronto, Ontario and is a children's book author and editor. Part of the "Snapshot" series that highlights images of people and places in history. Other titles in the series include Alexander Graham Bell, Lucy Maud Montgomery and The Wright Brothers. 2003, Kids Can Press, $14.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Books for Children, 2003; Science Books & Films; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award Finalist 2003 Juvenile Non Fiction United States Science in Society Book Awards Short List 2003 Youth Books Canada State and Provincial Reading Lists: Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, 2005; Nominee; English Non-Fiction; Atlantic Canada Silver Birch Award, 2004; Nominee; Non-Fiction; Ontario, Canada ISBN: 1-55337-396-0 ISBN: 1-55337-397-9 Albert Einstein Stephanie Sammartino Mcpherson    Time Magazine's "Person of the Century" is well known for his wild hair, insatiable curiosity, and world-changing discoveries. In this breezily written book, the reader discovers the fascinating facts of his life: He was a poor student--since students in his era were expected to sit quietly and memorize facts rather than ask questions and make waves; he came from a close and loving family who encouraged him in his explorations but despaired that he was kicked out of high school for sassing his teachers; he couldn't find a job for years because his professors wouldn't recommend such a troublesome man. Nevertheless, he found his own way to study things, winning the Nobel Prize in physics in 1921 for his work with light and space, and he continued to insist that he was "neither especially clever nor especially gifted" while he set the world on fire with his innovative thinking. This is an engaging read with wonderful photographs, a timeline of his life, a feature "Can You Think Like Einstein?" and websites to visit. This book is part of "Lerner's History Maker Bio'" series. 2004, Lerner, $18.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature). Best Books: Notable Children's Books of Jewish Content, 2004; Association of Jewish Librarians; United States ISBN: 1-58013-094-1 Albert Einstein Saviour Pirotta    It's a pretty safe bet that if the name Einstein is mentioned in any civilized country in the world, people would know who he was. It's equally safe to say that they would have a mental image of an elderly man in baggy clothes with a perplexing expression and lots of wildly unkempt gray hair. In this short (45 pages) biography by award-winning author Saviour Pirotta, the reader finds many different aspects of Albert Einstein. The reader sees, for example, a photograph of the world-famous scientist at the age of twenty-one years, a handsome young man with neatly trimmed wavy black hair who played both the piano and the violin and who was very popular with the girls. The reader sees him here as he really was--a human being one can relate to instead of a weird-looking genius with a brain like a computer. This book contains an abundance of well-chosen photos, nearly all of them in black and white, with a wide range of subjects. They illustrate very well the outline of the history of the first half of the twentieth century and Einstein's place in it. The text is interesting and easy to read without being simplistic. Numerous sidebars containing quotations from Einstein, members of his family, and persons who affected his life and his work are strategically placed, and a time line of scientific advances from 1687 to 1966 contains a wealth of information. There are an index and a glossary, as well as a list of books and Web sites for the younger reader. (Scientists Who Made History) Nonfiction (530 or biography), Highly Recommended. Grades 6-12. 2002, Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 48p, $18.98. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Willis R. McPherson (Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 2)) ISBN: 0-7398-4844-5 Albert Einstein Chris Oxlade    The life and works of Albert Einstein are explored in this installment from the "Twentieth-Century History Makers" series. Basic information about his life is presented in detail, including not-so-well-known bit of information, such as the fact that he and his first wife had an illegitimate daughter who was given up for adoption. Einstein's support of Zionism and various pacifist movements is also explained, which allows the reader to understand Einstein's anguish when his discoveries led to the invention of the atomic bomb. His theories are explained in detailed, yet easy to understand, terms. The works of other scientists are also briefly explained as they relate to Einstein's work, from Sir Isaac Newton to Stephen Hawking. Pictures and photographs of Einstein's life, other scientists, and events in Einstein's world, as well as illustrations of his theories provide lots of visual interest in this well-written book. This book serves two purposes: it provides a well-rounded picture of Albert Einstein, and explains the theories of Albert Einstein, the scientist. 2003, Raintree Steck-Vaughn, $32.85. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7398-5259-0 Albert Einstein Dana Meachen Rau    Albert Einstein is brought to life in this "Compass Point Early Biography." Chapter One, "Wonder about the World," explains Einstein's interest in how the world works. The next few chapters describe Einstein's childhood and life, and the influence on his work by things that interested him, such as a compass given to him when he was five years old. Chapter Five, "New Ideas," gives a little background on Newtonian physics and how Einstein's ideas differed. Chapter Six, "A Famous Man," describes Einstein's fame and how it affected his life. Chapter Seven, "A Peaceful World," explains Hitler's Germany and how Einstein had to leave Germany and ended up working for peace. Chapter Eight, "Man of the Century," explains just how famous Einstein became, including his being honored as one of the "People of the Century" by Time magazine. A timeline, a glossary, and a page of "Did You Know?" facts about Einstein are included. Numerous photographs of Einstein throughout his life make this a very interesting book for a young scientist to read. 2003, Compass Point, $19.93. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States ISBN: 0-7565-0416-3 Albert Einstein Lola M. Schaefer and Wyatt S. Schaefer    The life of Albert Einstein is brought to light in this book from the "First Biographies" series. His birth, childhood, education, and work as a patent clerk are explained first. His theories on the speed of light, gravity, and other works in the area of physics are described as well. His work as a pacifist and a teacher later in life is also detailed. An ongoing timeline highlighting the events described on each page makes it easy for children to put each event into a chronological context. A glossary and list of books and websites for further research completes this introductory text on Einstein. Reproductions of pictures and paintings, as well as photographs of historical locations, aid the learning process. This book would be a good reference work for a child beginning to learn about science and the people who revolutionized the subject. 2003, Capstone, $15.93. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7368-2079-5 Albert Einstein Sheila Wyborny    Albert Einstein's life and contributions to society are brought to light in this book from the "Inventors and Creators Series." The introduction provides an overview of the life of this great scientist. Chapter One, "Differences and Difficulties," describes Einstein's childhood and school days. Chapter Two, "A Time of Discovery," explains the different jobs Einstein held as he began work on his theories, as well as his personal life. Chapter Three, "Success and Changes," explains the effect that fame had on Einstein's personal life. Chapter Four, "A New Home and a Different World," describes Einstein's move to the United States because of the anti-Semitism in Germany and his last few years. While this book is a very good biography of Albert Einstein, his theories are not really explained (only two pages describe his theories). However, the impact that Einstein's discoveries had on the world, such as the atomic bomb, are well-described. Numerous photographs give the reader a good picture of the world Einstein inhabited. 2003, KidHaven, $23.70. Ages 7 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7377-1278-3 Albert Einstein: The Giant of 20th Century Science Judy L. Hasday    Albert Einstein is unquestionably one of the greatest geniuses of the twentieth century. However, he did not finish high school, barely made it through college, and had trouble finding a job. He had an innate ability to understand the natural sciences, and he had a natural resistance to anything that did not interest him. When he went to college, he finished second to last in his small class mainly because he only studied what he wanted to rather than what the curriculum required. This book in the "Nobel Prize-Winning Scientists" series tells Einstein's story from his birth, through his education, and employment at the patent office to his winning the Nobel Prize and his peace activism. Einstein was a fascinating man and this book is a complete biography. The text is easy to read and interesting. It does stray into some scientific information that is not easily presented, but considering the complexity of Einstein's theories, this is not really surprising. The book is not visually pleasing, however. Pictures are few and the pages are identically formatted: no footnotes, no sidebars. All in all, fans of biography will like it and it is a valuable reference tool for research papers. 2004, Enslow, $20.95. Ages 9 to 13. Reviewer: Heather Robertson (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7660-2185-8 Genius: A Photobiography of Albert Einstein Marfe' Ferguson Delano    Everyone's heard about Albert Einstein and his famous formula of relativity. Certainly, his name and picture are instantly recognizable. But what about the person? How did he grow up to be inspired by physics? Who were his family and friends? How did he handle being more famous than some sports figures or movie stars? Whom did he admire? This thoughtful, well researched and finely written biography introduces an Einstein young readers-or adults-may not know: the boy who barley passed school subjects that bored him, the caring father, the passionate violinist, the pacifist who must face the dilemma of whether war or Hitler's Fascism was the lesser evil. Photo illustrations are breathtaking, often sepia-toned, with photographs of the man against a background of important documents that defined his life-his hand-written notes, his school-leaving certificate, his American citizenship document. Most poignant is the photograph, taken at the time of his death, of his cluttered desk and office. This is an important book about the person whom Time magazine named the most important scientist of the twentieth century, the man who said, "Imagination is more important then knowledge. Knowledge is limited, imagination encircles the world." A chronology, extensive resources list and index are included. This is a must-have for private, classroom, school and public libraries. 2005, The National Geographic Society, Ages 12 up, $17.95. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7922-9544-7 Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein Don Brown    Although he was later called a genius, the Einstein seen here is not the typical bright child. A late talker, he has a nasty temper along with an inquiring mind. He does not care for sports or soldiers. His teachers are puzzled by his slow answers, but he gets good grades in what interests him, forging ahead in mathematics and music. Brown succinctly summarizes the basic facts of Einstein's life through his graduation, his job in the Swiss patent office, his marriage. As he pushes his son's carriage, he speculates, eventually evolving his theory of relativity with its notable consequences. Brown offers a comparatively simple explanation of the theory. Pen and ink drawings with watercolor and digital coloring create gentle scenes with enough context to allow Albert's emerging personality to evolve in its time. The visual anecdotes depict his social isolation, and his immersion in the world of mathematics which culminates in a dramatic double-page, dark-of-night fantasy filled with symbols, numbers, and the famous formula e=mc². An "Author's Note" adds further information on both Einstein's life and the theory. A bibliography is included. 2004, Houghton Mifflin Children's Books, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).    From his birth in 1879 through his childhood, Albert Einstein was considered a peculiar and, often, difficult child. He was a fat baby with a big head. He was late to speak. He sometimes treated his sister cruelly, hitting her in anger with hard objects. His anger was, at times, so severe that a tutor fled in fear. He neglected subjects that did not interest him in school. However, all was not bad about the child. When a subject fascinated him, Albert would give it his full and devoted concentration. Things that interested him included card houses, the violin, and mathematics. As an adult, the same determination that Albert demonstrated as a child helped him to explore theories of energy and to discover the photoelectric effect, theories of relativity, and E=mc². Don Brown's book does a good job of presenting a concise, honest account from birth through adulthood of a man who has come to be revered as a genius. The text is accompanied by a brief author's note and a list of additional books about Einstein. The books listed in the bibliography may prove interesting to teachers or parents, but they are not accessible to the child readers of this book. 2004, Houghton Mifflin, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature)    Wanting to make this man accessible to children, Brown focuses on Einstein's difficult childhood. Sensitively, the author describes how Einstein's teachers thought him dull. He also describes how Einstein was awkward and lonely, as well as how he was curious and loved learning. The writing is light and this superb introduction briefly describes Einstein's theories. The focus on alienation will give hope to bright children who feel that isolation may be a life sentence. 2004, Houghton Mifflin, Ages 7 to 10, $16.00. Reviewer: Susie Wilde (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-618-49298-4 What's the Matter with Albert?: A Story of Albert Einstein Frieda Wishinsky; Illus. by Jacques Lamontagne    Told from the viewpoint of a young newspaper reporter who has been sent to interview Albert Einstein, this attractively illustrated picture book delivers biography as compellingly written as any fiction work. As Billy, the reporter, questions arguably the most brilliant man of modern times, Dr. Einstein willingly reveals little vignettes of his own childhood. The question posed in the title seems to be almost a mantra echoed by parents, grandparents, and teachers. From his tardiness in beginning to talk, through his violent temper tantrums, and finally the difficulty he had in school because of his daydreaming, Albert struggled with each stage of life. Always, however, he was wondering, questioning, and trying to make sense of the many questions that whizzed around in his head. As Dr. Einstein openly shares his struggles and failures, readers should be encouraged; especially those gifted students who have difficulty finding their niche. The story ends with pages of Billy's article as it appears in the school newspaper, which includes facts about Einstein's life as an adult and how he achieved fame. A timeline completes the work. This is an outstanding presentation of biography of its type. 2002, Maple Tree Press, $19.95 and $6.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Janice DeLong (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-894379-31-4 ISBN: 1-894379-32-2 Who Was Albert Einstein? Jess M. Brallier Illustrations by Robert Andrew Parker    This book is one of the "Who Was...?" series. The black and white comic-style illustrations of Robert Andrew Parker help to lead the reader through the story. The book includes maps and timelines. Many of the nine chapters begin with a quote from Einstein himself. Within the chapters there appear boxes that contain additional facts and information about science theories and Einstein's contributions. These boxes are slightly more technical and attempt to explain these scientific ideas in simple terms for children. Jess Brallier does a terrific job of detailing Albert Einstein's entire life, from birth to death. The book tells about Einstein's parents and sister, Maja. Even as a young child, Albert was different from other children. The reader learns about Einstein's phenomenal thought processes and his struggles in school. Eventually, Albert found a school that matched his unusual thinking and he was highly successful. Albert wrote and published many scientific papers that were groundbreaking. He became a professor as well. The events in the world, especially the rise of Nazi Germany and World War II, deeply influenced Albert in his later years. He moved to the United States and became a professor at Princeton University. Although he was often described as messy and disorganized, Einstein was considered one of the greatest thinkers of his time. This book could be used in a study of biographies and also in a study of famous scientists. 2002, Grosset & Dunlap/Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, $4.99. Ages 7 to 13. Reviewer: Maureen Boyle (Children's Literature).    This chapter book provides an informative picture of Einstein, his life and times, and some of his theories. Einstein's originality and brilliance are made apparent, and one is also shown what was going on in the world during the first half of the twentieth century and how this influenced Einstein's thinking and actions. While very few people truly understand Einstein's theories, even very few physicists, the author does a fairly good job of telling the younger reader what the theories were about and why they were important. The black-and-white drawings are interesting and appropriate and sometimes add to the information content. There is much good information here, but the language seems a bit choppy and awkward. The book just doesn't "flow" well. Included are a table of contents and a time line. (Who Was...?) Nonfiction. Grades 3-4. 2002, Grosset & Dunlap, 105p, $13.89. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Ginny Hoskins (Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 4)). Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States ISBN: 0-448-42659-5 ISBN: 0-448-42496-7 Added 05/27/05