Isaac Newton: The Scientist Who Changed Everything

World History Biographies

by Philip Steele

Born in England in 1643, Isaac Newton grew up in the age when Renaissance thinkers were challenging accepted ideas throughout Europe. Fascinated by all earthly science, Newton developed laws of motion and universal gravitation which also furthered our understanding of the movement of celestial bodies. This vibrant biography profiles the famed physicist as an acclaimed mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, philosopher, and inventor as well. Readers will discover the genius who inspired Alexander Pope to write,

"Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night;
God said 'Let Newton be' and all was light."

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Genres: Science, Biography, History, Childrens, History Of Science, Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Philip Steele was born in Dorking, Surrey, England. He attended University College, Durham, where he studied modern languages. In the 1970s he worked as an editor for various publishers, including Hodder and Hamlyn. In 1980 he moved to the Isle of Anglesey, in North Wales, where he now lives. He has written on a wide range of topics, especially in the fields of history, junior biography, peoples, and cultures.

Reviews

[Adam and Leo]

There are lots of facts in here, and I like lots of facts. The cover is also eye-catching. I think this book is really cool. The End

[Marilyn]

Isaac Newton: The Scientist Who Changed Everything (2007) by Philip Steele (1948- )

PEOPLE:
Galileo Galilei died 8 Jan 1642 in Italy; argued that Earth revolved around the sun
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hannah AYSCOUGH Newton(. )=Mother, came from higher social class than husband; re-married when Isaac was 3 yo to Barnabas Smith, wealthy, 63 yo Clergyman; Hannah & Barnabas moved 1.5 miles away from Woolsthorpe and left Isaac behind with his grandma= Margery Ayscough
Isaac Newton (?-Oct 1642)=Father, illiterate, independent farmer
Isaac Newton (Jr.) = his Son, a sickly premature (measured 2 pints) baby, born 25 Dec 1642 in Lincolnshire County, England (near Colsterworth, 100 mi north of London) in the middle of King Charles I civil war with Parliament which broke out Aug 1642; enraged for most of his life by being deserted by mother and father; modern experts wonder if Jr had Asperger’s syndrome (AS);


PLACES:



PROGRESS:
16TH Century:


17th Century:
*Often the only book people had seen was a Bible; it was read daily in church and at home

[Kate Frantz]

Enjoyed how this book broke down the different parts of Newton's life in sections. The extra information and pictures were a great way to make the information less dry. I learned a lot! Happy to have it in my library for school.

[Claire]

I liked the story in it but it was not my fav.It was just like this and that but the one big part to me was when he poked a pin or a needle at the corner of his eye!

[Annie Oosterwyk]

A lucky find right after reading A Corner of White. This is another wonderful National Geographic biography with historical, social,and political inserts which add greatly to the life story of Sir Isaac Newton. A time line along the bottom puts Newton's life in context with what is happening in England and the scientific community.
Just right for middle grades learning about light and motion.

[Kacie]

I chose it because it was on a Beautiful Feet book list (usually good choices!). Not quite narrative, and not very interesting, imo. A bit dry. Perhaps it is the best choice for the target audience? If I come up with a better alternative, I'll try to share that here.

I did like the running timeline at the bottom to help place other events in history at the time of Newton.

[Portia H.]

Great series packed with fun facts and historical relevancy that broadens knowledge base beyond biography of Newton. I first read the bio then went back and read the captions and fact boxes... I could probably read the biography again and again and learn something knew each time.

[Ginger]

Well-written detailed account of Newton's youth and subsequent success

[Julia]

I thought this book was really fun to read and some people who love Non fictionn shoul read it as a read aloud like teachers do.

[Cheryl]

One of the better books in this series.