A DANGEROUS IDEA by Debbie Levy is subtitled "The Scopes Trial, The Original Fight over Science in Schools." It covers a very relevant topic, not only due to the centenary nature of the events it describes, but also because of the contemporary debates related to science (e.g., vaccine efficacy) and book banning. Levy, a best-selling writer of books for young people, vividly transports readers to the 1920s through her words and visuals like images of the high school textbook, Civic Biology, that helped spark the lawsuit from ACLU. She begins by describing how local leaders in Dayton, Ohio encouraged the trial so as to promote visits and spur the local economy. Of course, she also focuses on the backgrounds of the two prominent lawyers, William Jennings Bryan (multiple times Presidential candidate) and Clarence Darrow, and on the trial, its media coverage, and the religious fervor – once again, so many parallels to today. Levy spoke about the book with School Library Journal, saying "What made this book fun to write—and I hope will make it fun to read and maybe to teach, or at least to talk about—is it's full of surprises." One I spotted: the court case began with a prayer at the invitation of the presiding judge. A DANGEROUS IDEA received multiple starred reviews, including ones from Booklist, Horn Book, School Library Journal and Shelf Awareness. The text is extensively researched - Levy includes a helpful timeline, source notes, and selected bibliography; together they comprise roughly twenty percent of the text. Interested readers (especially middle and high school students) may also want to read a fictionalized account related to the Scopes Trial featured in Monkey Town (2006) from Ronald Kidd.

I’m not sure there’s any way to read this book and not see parallels to some of the challenges we’re still facing culturally and in our education system today. Many of these parallels were probably in the author’s mind as she wrote this book. Between the wild increase in book bans and challenges to the culture war over faith and science, I couldn’t help seeing earlier versions of some of those conflicts in A Dangerous Idea.

The book begins with a biographical sketch of each of the major players in the trial. Readers are introduced to John Scopes, a teacher in a small Tennessee town. Then, they meet William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow. Levy gives background information on Bryan and Darrow, so that when she shifts to describing the trial, readers can understand their behavior. They’re familiar with the personal beliefs of each man and the long-standing rivalry between them.

It’s kind of wild to think that this trial happened one hundred years ago this year. In some ways, our understanding of evolution has advanced. I can’t remember the last time I heard someone incorrectly gripe that it meant humans descended from monkeys. On the other hand, last year, a popular conservative commentator called science a cult. So, obviously, there’s still a lot of tension out there.

Readers looking to understand the Scopes Trial will find a comprehensive explanation in A Dangerous Idea. It may help add context to some current conflicts as science confirms and explores new ideas, and some resist updating their ideas.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.


An important book written in a age appropriate manner.

It's terrifying to think situations like this still happen today, (Creation vs Evolution) and the discouragement to reach anything to taught in the Bible.

A must read

It’s funny how history repeats itself. In a time when calls for censorship are ramping up, books like A Dangerous Idea are more important than ever.

What could be a heavy or dry topic is brought to life through author Debbie Levy’s adept hands. Her writing is clear and inviting. And the added images increase interest. Readers will find the steps leading up to the case fascinating, especially learning how school curriculum is decided.

A Dangerous Idea is exactly the sort of nonfiction book that all middle-readers and young adults should be reading. It would make for excellent classroom or home discussion.

Thanks to Bloomsbury USA Children and NetGalley for this free ARC in return for my honest review.

Superb book by Debbie Levy who brings so much of the Scopes/Monkey Trial to life with her writing. While this book may be geared for a Young Adult genre, it contains so much good information that even an old 71-year old such as me found out a whole lot more than what I had know about this trial. The book covers the evolution vs creationism trial in Dayton, TN, back in 1925, and gives a good overview on all the proceedings. The trial was given extensive media coverage, and was so well attended that the judge was afraid that the courtroom floor would collapse and then moved some of the most dramatic testimony outside of the courthouse onto the lawn. Growing up I loved watching the movie "Inherit the Wind" but this books tells us what really happened and how much of the testimony never was heard by the jury, but rather as part of court motions. Well written, and easy to follow, the book does a fine job with the subplot of Clarence Darrow vs. William Jennings Bryan. Just a darn fine book, to put it mildly!!

Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc!

It was interesting reading about the beginning of the debate over whether or not it is okay to teach evolution in public schools. This book integrates history, science, religion, and journalism. I also had no idea that the Scopes Trial is what the movie Inherit the Wind is loosely based on!

It is uncanny, reading and reviewing this considering what we are in for in our current political climate. With there being such discourse about science, and just what is taught in schools in general, I think this is a timely novel for anyone that is interested in truly learning more about this particular trial and what it meant to our students/children. Well worth the read! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read the ARC of this.

My dad talks about/quotes the movie Inherit the Wind all the time so I grew up hearing about the Scopes Trial and knew a little about it going into reading this book. I loved that this book takes what could be considered some pretty heavy and (to some people) boring material and makes it accessible to a younger audience. It also makes the primary players in the trial come alive for readers by making them just seem like regular people. I also found it fascinating how Darrow and Bryan's paths had been crossing for years prior to them going up against one another in court. Given the state of politics and education in the US I think this is the perfect time to introduce this book to school-age students to help them understand how long these debates about curriculum have been going on and how we got to where we are today (and maybe understand why it is still so relevant). I highly recommend this book for middle and high school classroom and school libraries.

This should be required reading for junior high/high school students, as author Debbie Levy expertly weaves in history, strong personalities, cultural mores, and strong narration into a non-fiction novel. I expected this to be informative, but was amazed how unique this historic moment really was, what bombastic characters were involved, and the fact that it was all planned as a political chess move.

I really felt like we are reliving this time in history, or maybe we have never really moved past it. William Bryan Jennings, with his charismatic speeches and his appeal to the common man struck a nerve as a very close replica of Trump. Clarence Darrow, the man who appealed to reason and science, was the underdog and was up against a losing battle. I think the Scopes trial, and the events of 2016 until now will be examined closely by journalists and history books for a long time to come.

I was inspired by journalists in the 1920s, especially by the reporting in newspaper columns written for Black readers and by Black journalists. The reporters were sharp, critical, and informative. Women journalists, such as Nellie Kenyon, broke barriers and laid out the facts plainly. Such journalists are beacons in dark times. I was also inspired by the rabbis and professors of religious study who tried to reason with the judge that this is not a zero sum game and the fact that evolution exists does not mean we can't believe in a Creator.

This was a page-turner, and I highly recommend this for high school classrooms, libraries, and public libraries. I recommend it for older readers because there is a lot of information and critical thinking required but it would be a fantastic book club discussion.

A solid account of the Scopes trial for young or new readers, A Dangerous Idea presents the importance of the case in straightforward language, discussing the context in which Scopes volunteered to be a test case for the ACLU, how Brady and Darrow prepared and executed their roles in the trial, and what the influence of the case has been on American education and free speech. Readers familiar with the play and/or movie Inherit the Wind will find the facts of the trial fascinating (and, as I was, be impressed by the how much the film's actors looked like and were able to mimic the real-life men they portrayed). Author Levy carefully explains the rise of fundamentalist Christianity as well as Darwin's views and beliefs, and makes it clear that she's on the side of science. My only complaint is Levy's use of people's first names--Darrow and Brady are "Clarence" and "Will" while the judge retains his title and last name. It isn't necessary, and is the only thing in the book that smacks of condescension to its audience. Can Dolly Parton give this one to every 5th grader in the nation, please?

If you’re looking for a book that explores the Scopes Monkey Trial, this one fits the bill. It’s told in a way where you want to keep reading to hear about all those involved, the entire backstory, and how the public reacted to it. It’s great for trying examine both sides of an issue.