Who Was Galileo? Paperback – February 5, 2015

My son is loving this whole series of books! He is 11 and really enjoys learning about the people in the books. They are fun, educational and easy to read!

Another great book for fourth graders. This book follows the same format as others in the series, including a timeline. These short reads give a lot of information for kids.

Who Was…? biography series for middle grade fascinates with the story of Galileo – the father of modern science who proved Copernicus’ theory that Sun doesn’t circle the Earth.Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was born in Pisa, Italy. His father was a musician who also wrote books about music theory. There were strict rules even for composing. His father liked to question those strict rules. And that’s something that Galileo learned from his father to question in search of truth.From childhood, Galileo was very curious, taking apart machines to see how they worked. He even invented some toys. He also liked music and drawing. During his time, very few people attended university. His father was determined to give his smart son the best possible education.In 1581, Galileo enrolled at University of Pisa, where he liked to argue about ideas. His classmates nicknamed him “the Wrangler.” He poured himself into study of math. He noticed that a pendulum swinging wide and fast takes the same amount of time to go back and forth as when it slows nearly to a stop.At nineteen, he’d discovered a mathematical law. He was the first one to use a scientific method. Thus, he is known as the father of modern science.After four years, he left university without any degree. He returned home which was now Florence, where his family lived. He privately taught math and gave lectures.Meanwhile, he continued to do his own research. He was interested in nature and how the energy and water worked. It led him to invent a water pump which helped farmers irrigate their crops.Later, he invented a scale and published a book about it. Word spread out about his outstanding work, and he was offered a job in mathematics as professor at University of Pisa. But the thinking here was still too restricted for him.Then, came a position at University of Padua which was a much better fit for him as it was a freethinking place. His brilliant reputation continued to grow.In 1957, he invented compass. Then, thermometer.In 1609, he heard of a spyglass being invented. He set to work to make his own spyglass. After improving his own telescope, he turned it toward the heavens and observed it. He uncovered an outstanding number of heavenly secrets.His next book made him famous all over Europe. He also secured a patron - Grand Duke Cosimo II Medici. Thus, he was able to leave his job in Padua and return to Florence where he could fully dedicate himself to research.After observing the sky, he proved what Copernicus noticed in 1543 that it’s the earth that moves and not the sun. The attacks against him grew as he continued to make findings that clashed with old ideas.He was silenced by the Church and later charged with heresy at the age of seventy. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest and was never to publish another book.What restored his spirit was going back to studying motion. He invented a better clock. His last book about motion and matter was smuggled to Holland in 1638 where it was published and became important groundwork for future scientists, including Isaac Newton.This biography epitomizes a man who, because of his curious mind and constant questioning, was able to discover so much like Leonardo da Vinci before him.This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 7-11, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.

My first grader loves these books, and the series covers interesting people from all over the spectrum of history. She has quite a collection going and we plan to buy tons more.We got the Gallileo book because she loves space. She is a pretty advanced reader for her age, and I would say this one is a bit of a harder and more complex read than say the Abraham Lincoln book, which she found more relatable and was generally a faster book to finish.This is a deep and well written story however, and has introduced her to all sorts of new people she can obsess over, such as all the Greek philosophers that inspired Gallileo, and other things that were going on in history in his lifetime.We read out of this book each night for 15 minutes, which is about a chapter a night. I listen to my daughter read it and help her with some of the hard words. The story is pretty detailed and I think she has gotten a real sense of satisfaction out of it, now since we are on the last chapter. She might not be absorbing everything they are saying, such as the Catholics vs Protestants, and the push back he got from the Catholic Church despite being a devout follower, however it offers her just enough of a challenge with hard words that she is definitely improving her vocabulary and it is helping her reading aloud.

This book was easy to read but not childish, so it was perfect for my son's book report due in elementary school.

My kids have enjoyed all of The Who Was/what was books we have read. I order them to go along with whatever they are learning about on science or history at the time. They are quick, easy reads and have pictures.

I buy these little books for my granddaughter but actually I enjoy them, too. This one (Galileo) filled in a lot of blanks for that time period in a most diplomatic way, I thought. This was particularly true in regard to the church vs secular/scientific view controversies. Really, a terrific little book with appeal across a broad age range.

Before reading this book I didn't know much about Galileo other than his telescope and his discovery of Jupiter's moons. Every book I've read in this series is outstanding - informative in an entertaining way, and makes you want to know more.