Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder 304 pages

This seems to be almost a throwback in tone to Little Orphan Annie. Penelope is a bored, rich girl who wishes for something interesting to happen. You know that line, be careful what you wish for? Before you know it, her parents lose their fortune, their mansion and end up just about broke and move to a ramshackle house filled with eccentric people. Of course, they learn what is truly important in life and lonely, Penelope makes her first friend. A bit old-fashioned, but somewhat charming. Lots of unique characters.

Radioactive:Marie & Pierre Curie: A tale of love and fallout

Radioactive:Marie & Pierre Curie: A tale of love and fallout by Lauren Redniss 210 pg.

Wow, this book is absolutely wonderful. I'm a sucker for anything about Marie Curie and also like the science books. This is a wonderfully designed book with amazing illustrations that gives a neatly done biography with some details about the work done by the Curie's -- a little light on the science. At the same time, the book also talks about atomic power and radioactive elements with tales from other people (some modern day) that weave into the ideas from the research and discoveries of the work by Marie and Pierre. I also really enjoyed the information presented about the family tree. If you have read about Marie, you know her oldest daughter was also a Nobel prize winning scientist but this book goes a bit further talking about Irene's husband and children. There are some interesting details but I can't say enough about the illustrations and the layout of the book.

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