Jane's Island

Rating:
Summary: Snapshot of Life at a Research Facility in the 1920's
Review: This book was written by the wife of a marine biologist working at a research facility at Woods Hole, an island in Massachusetts. Told from the point of view of a young college student acting as nanny to the daughter of one of the researchers, it paints a picture of the scientific community there and the discoveries being made in the 1920's. Unfortunately, the college-aged protagonist is boring and the social conventions will be confusing to younger readers. The scene where the scientist's wife gives a tea is so dated it's painful to read.

While I wouldn't recommend it for young children history buffs will enjoy the book's authentic flavor and the detailed description of life at a a research facility in the 1920's.