The doomsday detectives How Walter and Luis Alvarez solved the mystery of dinosaur extinction

It wasn't that long ago that scientists determined a huge asteroid was most likely responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs in the Cretaceous period, and this fascinating, informative volume highlights not only the people at the center of the discovery but the scientific processes by which they came to their conclusions. Jenson-Elliott begins in the late nineteenth century, when geologists began proposing theories about dinosaurs and how they disappeared. From there, she explains other important theories, like plate tectonics and continental drift, that undergird the work her subjects, Walter and Luis Alvarez, relied upon when coming up with their own conclusions about the mass extinction event. It's a dense account with an impressive amount of detail folded in, but in using the framework of the scientific process to structure the content, Jenson-Elliott effectively builds on explanations that contextualize the major concepts that drive the Alvarez's discovery, which ultimately relied on many scientists working in a vast array of fields, including current climate science. Section-opening comics showcase some scientists at work and, of course, lots of prehistoric animals experiencing natural disasters, and that emphasizes the thrill of these discoveries, which are made all the more thrilling by the fact that there is still so much more to learn. Perfect for kids who want to go all-in on dinosaurs.

A look at a father-and-son team's journey to discover the scientific reasons why dinosaurs went extinct. The book opens with dynamic black-and-white illustrations that dramatically depict the thriving flora and fauna of the Cretaceous Period, including dinosaurs, plants, and microscopic life. But what happened to the dinosaurs? Luis and Walter Alvarez, Cuban American father-and-son scientists, set out to solve this mystery. In 1980, they published a paper inScience magazine describing their hypothesis that an "extraterrestrial impact somewhere on Earth" led to the dinosaurs' extinction. Strong, descriptive writing interspersed with engaging graphic novel panels together support the explanation of complex scientific concepts, including plate tectonics, historical evidence in rocks, and how evidence from outer space and the ocean connects to Earth's geologic time scale. The Alvarezes spent years gathering proof to support their hypothesis, but the book shows how scientific theories are often controversial and even divisive. Informative sidebars highlight the diverse group of scientists who contributed to solving the mystery of extinction. But as is often the case, one finding leads to many more questions: "In science, no one has the last word." The book closes by introducing contemporary scientists who are researching the doomsday event. Packed with explanations of scientific terminology and methods of operation, this detailed and compelling book is a superb guide for curious STEM-focused readers. An outstanding resource that depicts the winding and complex journey of scientific exploration. (guide to scientific practices, glossary, source notes, endnotes, index, photo credits)(Nonfiction. 10-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.