Mario Molina: Nobel Prize-Winning Chemist

Mario Molina knew at a young age that he wanted to grow up to become a scientist. He studied chemistry in his native Mexico before heading off to other countries to learn and prepare for the wondrous career that awaited him in the field. He soon put his curiosity and knowledge to work as a research chemist. In the early 1970s, he made a startling discovery which led him to an upsetting theory. Chemicals that industrial companies were releasing into the world's atmosphere were destroying the Earth's ozone layer. Although many people were not pleased to hear Molina's theory, other scientists eventually confirmed it. Read more about Mario Molina and how he received the Nobel Prize for alerting the world to this problem that threatened the very existence of life on Earth.

Gr 4-6–Notable Hispanic Americans are profiled in these six volumes. Each book begins with a fictional exchange among youngsters, who discuss how they plan to emulate the subject. This is followed by information about the individual’s life from childhood to the present. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Nydia Velazquez were the first Cuban American and Puerto Rican American elected to Congress, where they fought for the rights of their constituents. Mario Molina’s interest in chemistry made him a pioneer in protecting the ozone. Sylvia Mendez continued to fight for educational rights long after her parents won a court decision to allow her to attend white schools. The struggle of each is related. For example, Molina faced opposition with his theory on chlorofluorocarbons and their effect on the atmosphere. The narratives are informative but not exciting. Readers might question why these people are considered “Unsung Heroes” given the numerous awards and accolades they have received. VERDICT Informative but dull, this series will be used for reports but browsers will pass. Purchase where there is a demand or to support the curriculum.--School Library Journal, November 1, 2020