Bones Unearthed!

Gr 4-7–In the latest installment of the “Creepy and True” series, a range of scientific disciplines are tapped in this exploration of bones rediscovered and reinterpreted with modern science. The high-interest back stories are compelling, weaving history, geology, biology, math, criminology, and anthropology into the narrative to provide explanations to some gory bits from history. Stories about cannibalism and grave robbing will hook in readers, but the text also delves into the responsibilities of discovery. Each chapter takes on a topic and digs in with several historical examples. In the chapter titled “Shafted,” incidents of bones found in mines and wells are explored, including the first evidence of homicide from Cranium-17, the death of the Romanov family in Russia, and the catacombs in Paris. There are a few instances where illustrations are not aligned because the narrative has moved on to the next example. Technical vocabulary is explained as is the research that was done to glean information from the found bones. The book has a conversational tone and manages a sense of humor despite the cadaverous subject.