DNA Detective Paperback – Picture Book, August 7, 2015

This book has a good story line, but unfortunately the author did not do her homework. The text is riddled with mistakes. For example, dominant genes are NOT ones we are most likely to inherit; they are ones most likely to be expressed. The gene for white eyes in fruit flies is NOT on the Y chromosome; it is on the X chromosome. Pangolins' tongues do NOT attach to their pelvis. The maps that were made in Thomas Hunt Morgan's lab were NOT DNA sequences; they were linkage maps of genes that were located on the same chromosome. There are likely more problems. These are the ones I found in a quick reading of about half the book. Children deserve accurate information. Are there any scientifically literate children's book editors out there?

The basics of genetics is explained in simple, clear language and reveals the fascinating stories of the researchers who discovered what is now the history of DNA. As readers learn the science of genes they will apply what they learn in a cartoon challenge to help a new detective solve a major crime based on a real-world case. From genetically engineered pets to a dating app that helps Icelanders avoid marrying their cousins readers will learn the history and current application of DNA.The writing was easy to follow and even entertaining, I would hazard a guess and say the science introduced is approximately equivalent to what I was learning in Jr. High (grades 6-9). I speed read a bit through the parts I already knew but even for me there were interesting facts I didn't know. I thoroughly enjoyed the factual portion of this book - it was light hearted and not too "sciency", I even found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. There are a couple ideas in here that I even want to follow up on with more research. This book would be great for pre-teens and teens who already love forensics and science as well as students who are maybe struggling with science and need a way to reignite interest or catch up on some basics.I like non-fiction books, and the description of this book had me really excited. I thought it was going to take me through a crime and how DNA solved it, with the crime activity being the primary part of the book. The description and the cover both made this seem the case. But, sadly, it's not. This is still an excellent introduction to the basics of genetics and the facts alone make the book worth reading but the detective case - the "DNA Detective" - was tacked on as if it were a last minute idea by the marketing agent to draw in more teen readers. If you are looking for a book with a fun activity to keep interest, or pictures like a graphic novel, this is not the book for you.**I received a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.**

We are homeschoolers, and I'm always on the hunt for science books that are interesting and also cover high level concepts rather than "dumbing things down" to make them easy to understand. This book definitely fits the bill!This book has excellent coverage of DNA and genetics, with lots of interesting stories and facts. The pictures and graphics are outstanding and add a lot to the fun of reading this book. We also enjoyed the interactive crime solving, which shows how DNA information could be used in a real-world situation.I'd recommend this book for upper elementary / middle school (possibly with some help on vocabulary for the younger end). I also used it as a read aloud for my second graders with lots of discussion and they got a lot out of it - but we will come back around to it again when they are closer to middle school and can absorb all of the information.Disclosure: I received a copy from NetGalley for review. Loved it enough I am now buying a hard copy from Amazon!

This book is more about genetics than it is about solving a crime. The lesson of each chapter is applied at the end of the chapter in eliminating suspects in the jewelry store heist.Genetics was my favorite part of my AP Biology class back in the early ‘80s, so some of this material was familiar to me. But there was much more that I hadn’t known before—not to mention that the field has made huge advances since I took that AP exam over 30 years ago! The explanatory tone is just right, with just enough levity. It does not come off sounding dumbed down.Note that sperm and eggs and fertilization are mentioned, but not how that fertilization actually takes place.This is a great resource for a school science class. I think even high-schoolers would enjoy it.This review also at [...]Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

Very educational, but light-hearted mystery-information. I have a genetic disorder and thought I knew about genetics, but I learned a lot from this book. My 9 yr. old twins will inherit it, and I hope they use it for school papers.