• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

• Is it any good?

  5.0

• Common Sense says

  Captivating look at a scientist and his work.

Why We Rated This for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

• Educational value:

  This volume offers a wealth of information to kids interested in science, discussing everything from the basics of the scientific method to the details of setting up a lab experiment to issues with industry funding of research.
• Messages:

  Young readers will connect with Tyrone Hayes, who sometimes struggled as a student. This portrait shows how passion, hard work, and the support of a mentor can make a tremendous difference in a young person’s life. Research is very much a team effort, with professor and students working hard and playing hard.
• Role models:

  The featured scientist made it into Harvard but still struggled to stay focused and motivated. He talks about the importance of finding a mentor, and how he now takes promising students under his own wing. He demonstrates persistence, hard work, courage, kindness, and humor. Many of the lab assistants are minorities and women.

What to watch out for

• Violence:

  Frogs are killed and dissected for the purposes of research -- it’s tastefully presented.
• Sex:

  Not an issue.
• Language:

  A frog is affectionately described as looking like “a cow turd.”
• Consumerism:

  Not an issue.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

About The Frog Scientist

Families Can Talk About