Double helix, by nancy werlin, is a mysterythriller about modernday scientific advancement and the ethical price humanity pays when trying to play god. Werlin skips, yet explains, many topics throughout the book. She was a national book award nominee for the rules of survival, a winner of the edgar award for best young adult novel for the killers cousin in 1999, and an edgar award finalist. Viv and eli disagree about the place that trust and openness play in a relationship. We learn a good deal from the way he narrates his story and interacts with others. Sites like sparknotes with a double helix study guide or cliff notes. Double helix by nancy werlin double helix 2004, a novel by nancy werlin, is about 18year old eli samuels, who works for a famous molecular biologist named dr. The main character, eli samuels, a recent high school graduate, is at a crossroads in his life in more ways than one. She was born in peabody, massachusetts and graduated with a b. He finds out that he was genetically mutated so he wouldnt have a disease his mom had. Werlin tackles bioethics headon in this pageturner, and touches some nerves with difficult questions. Eighteenyearold eli discovers a shocking secret about his life and his family while working for a nobel prizewinning scientist whose.
Nancy werlin has written five previous novels, including double helix, black mirror, and the killers cousin, which won the edgar award for best young adult mystery and was named one of the 100 best of the best for the 21st century by the american library association. Nancy werlin s book double helix is an intriguing novel with even more interesting characters. Nancy werlin is an american writer of youngadult novels. She would graduate with her bachelors degree and has put the degree to good use. I gained insights into dna researchfor both good and bad purposeswhile trying to figure out the mysterious connection between eccentric scientist dr. Double helix by nancy werlin is young adult mystery which my daughter handed me recently. It is absolutely okay with me if you need to keep some secrets. As in her other novels, werlin brings each character in double helix to full reality. Eli hasnt applied to college, but he has won a prestigious internship at wyatt transgenics, an institute that studies genetics. Wyatt is hiding something, however, and elis father doesnt want eli to find out what it is. Eighteen year old eli samuels has just graduated from high school and lucked into a job at wyatt transgenicsoffered to him by dr.
Edgar awardwinning author nancy werlin is wellknown for her suspenseful thrillers for young readers. Double helix by nancy werlin is a mystery novel for young adults. Werlins double helix is a fiction novel about eli samuels, an 18 yearold who works at wyatt transgenics for dr. She received her ba from yale, was named a publishers weekly flying start author for her first novel, more about nancy werlin. Essay about double helix summaries 2231 words bartleby. Please see the supplementary resources provided below for other helpful content related to this book. Double helix by nancy werlin eli samuels, high school senior, soon to be high school graduate, is looking for a job. Nancy werlin is the new york times bestselling and awardwinning author of the killers cousin, the rules of survival, impossible, and a host of other young adult novels. A graduate of yale college, she lives near boston, massachusetts. While its a pageturner with an engaging protagonist, the ground it treads is a bit too familiar. Double helix 2004, a novel by nancy werlin, is about 18yearold eli samuels, who works for a famous molecular biologist named dr. Her books have gathered awards too numerous to mention, but including national book award finalist, edgar award winner and finalist, new york times bestseller, l. The salary is substantial, the work is interesting, and dr. Double helix by nancy werlin synopsis werlin s double helix is a fiction novel about eli samuels, an 18 yearold who works at wyatt transgenics for dr.
He and francis crick succeed in determining the threedimensional chemical structure of dna in 1953, while they were working together at cavendish laboratory, at cambridge university. Nancy werlin books, ebooks, audiobooks, biography barnes. Quincy wyatt, the most famous geneticist in the world, asking for a job at wyatt transgenics, dr. Double helix nancy werlin ya novel great for biology tpt. Compare and contrast quincy wyatt and jonathan samuels, discussing their philosophies. A teenage boy dealing with the knowledge that he may have a genetic disease finds himself at the center of a huge family coverup in this mystery that made alas list of the best books for young adults. Double helix, by nancy werlin, is a mysterythriller about modernday scientific advancement and the ethical price humanity pays when trying. Eli samuels mother is dying from huntingtons disease. Wyatt and elis parents, and all eli knows about the connection is that it has something to do with his mother, who has huntingtons disease. When the narrative begins, watson is a 23yearold microbiologist, clearly very talented, with big ambitions and dreams of scientific. Read the book, answer each of the following questions on a separate piece of paper.
Nancy werlin born october 29, 1961 is an american writer of youngadult novels. Awful, uncertain, scary, wonderful, confusing, all at once. Explain both perspectives and discuss which one is more likely to enhance an intimate relationship and why. Double helix by nancy werlin an integrated science extra credit assignment 50 extra credit points check a copy of the book out of the library. Werlin would attend yale where she studied english. Eli is well over 6 feet and healthy, has a girlfriend named vivian, johnathan, his father that has different views on elis choices, and a mother who has huntingtons disease. Still a resident of massachusetts to this day, she resides close to the city of boston. The double helix major character analysis supersummary. A personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna.
Listening library, an imprint of the random house audio publishing group. The double helix summary and study guide supersummary. Nancy werlin writes ya fiction that ranges from realistic fiction to suspense to fantasy, often breaking the boundaries between genres. A beautifully wrought modern fairy tale from master storyteller and awardwinning author nancy werlin. The fight began when eli refused to apply to college, but the communication breakdown is rooted in their unshared and inarticulate grief over elis mother. In the process, she has carved out a niche for herself in the demanding world of youngadult fiction. Nancy werlin plot as he tries to figure out who he really is, he finds his boss is a reason why he is alive. Inspired by the classic folk ballad scarborough fair, this is a wonderfully riveting and haunting novel of suspense, romance, and fantasy. Suspenseful and eloquent, with a hairraising conclusion, double helix explores identity, intimacy, and the complicated ethics of genetic engineering. Brilliant eli has been fighting with his father for months. About the author nancy werlin was born in massachusetts, where she still lives.
Watson this study guide consists of approximately 72 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the double helix. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read double helix. The strongest aspect of this book is how expertly and lovingly werlin depicts a complex and new kind of hero. The resolution of the story will keep you wanting more.
Double helix by nancy werlin exactly does that, its a gripping and suspenseful piece, perfect for readers looking for a science notsofiction novel. Awardwinning author nancy werlin has earned a reputation for tackling difficult subjects in a sensitive and engaging way. This is what i saw when i finished my speech and looked out at the audience. The genetic disease that will eventually kill her has left elis onceloving mother. Double helix was adapted as an audiobook, recorded books, 2004. Tragedy and family politics combine for a suspenseful exploration of love and bioethics. Silverscreech bronze, owasso, oklahoma 3 articles 0. A trailer i threw together in an hour and a half for my lit class, for double helix by nancy werlin.
The main character, eli samuels, a recent high school graduate. Also includes sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of nancy werlin s double helix. With this download you will get a guided reading packet which includes areas for students to complete information about. Double helix summary and analysis like sparknotes free.
James watson watson gives descriptions of other characters, but as the narrator, our impressions of him are inevitably more indirect. She was born in peabody, massachusetts, raised in that state, and graduated with a b. The double helix is american scientist james watsons personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna. On a drunken impulse, he writes an embarrassing email to dr. Eli samuels is a high school senior who is not going to college after graduation instead, he has applied for a job at wyatt transgenics and is planning on working for a year before going to college. Born october 29, 1961, werlin grew up in peabody, massachusetts. Nancy werlin is an award winning young adult author and has written a bunch of books. The novel, double helix by nancy werlin encompasses the relationship an eighteen year old boy name eli samuel that graduated from high school and trying to get the job at wyatt transgenic, so he can work as a legendary molecular biologist. She was a national book award nominee for her 2008 book the rules of survival, a winner of the edgar award for best young adult novel for the killers cousin in 1999, and an edgar award. Double helix by nancy werlin teachers guide page 3 of 3 6. A thoughtprovoking exploration of selfreliance and the nature of evil, and a heartwrenching portrait of a family in crisis, this is nancy werlin s most compulsively readable novel yet. As eli goes to work in a lab, he discovers some disturbing information about its doctor and his own family. Ive been thinking about this and i decided that a best friend is someone who, when they dont understand, they still understand. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone.
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