Alchemy and Chemistry

Gr 6–8—In these excellent surveys, Stefoff explores the historical relationships between science and pseudoscience. Though she explains the scientific method in detail and injects healthy doses of skepticism into her accounts, rather than just denigrate pseudosciences as superstition, she shows how, for instance, alchemy split into equally serious practical and spiritual approaches before the former evolved into modern chemistry. In contrast, along with similarly shared ancient origins, astrology and astronomy continue to coexist as active pursuits, and so do conventional and alternative medicine. There are even still a few geocentrists around, Stefoff notes. Each volume is heavily illustrated with period images and modern photographs, and each closes with particularly generous lists of further resources.—John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York City