Where are you really from? by Adam Rutherford and Adam Ming

British geneticist, author and broadcaster Adam Rutherford is perhaps more well known for his adult books and conversations relating to all things scientific especially in his area of expertise, genetics. His latest book, Where Are You Really From? is his first written for a younger audience and aims to introduce them to an understanding of the story of evolution and their place in the world.

The bright yellow front cover with a bold heading in the shape of a hierarchal organisation chart will certainly enable it to stand out on a library shelf. The book begins with a contents page showing ten chapters beginning with Chapter one ‘A long time ago…’ and ending with Chapter 10 ‘Myth Busting”. There is also a Final Word and detailed Glossary at the end.

Before becoming fully immersed in the book, the entertaining introduction ‘Who do you really think you are?’ will excite the reader by letting them know that they are indeed descended from royalty and that this book will take them back through many many years of human history. The author promises to highlight discoveries along the way and perhaps most importantly discover that all humans are connected no matter where they live, the language they speak or the colour they are. The three contributors to the book, Adam R, Emma and Adam K are also introduced and talk about their own backgrounds. It paints a very diverse picture and shows that all people are unique with their own story to tell.

There is so much information to digest in this book and includes topics such as the Big Bang theory, DNA, evolution, ancestors, dinosaurs, royalty, classification, race, prejudice and migration. Where Are You Really From? is not a short read but the text is accessible and cleverly spaced out with graphic style images as well as some facts presented in a graphic novel-style format. There is humour used throughout - even a reference or two to Taylor Swift! For those children who ask probing questions about evolution, genetics and race, this is a wonderful introduction to a very complex topic.

An entertaining trailer is available from the author Adam Rutherford.

Themes: Evolution, DNA, Science, History, Racism, Humour, Theories, Facts, Diversity.

Kathryn Beilby