A DANGEROUS IDEA
The Scopes Trial, The Original Fight Over Science in Schools
The story of the famous Scopes “monkey” trial of 1925 is worth sharing anytime — but today, especially, how it resonates! There’s ridicule of science and scientists. Efforts to shield students from facts. A campaign to make schools centers of a particular theology. Charismatic, entertaining influencers. Falsehoods masquerading as truths. A media circus. Book banning. And, of course, John T. Scopes and his students.
It all makes for a fascinating, lively narrative, full of surprises and peppered with both humor and poignancy.
Religious fundamentalists pushed the science of evolution underground in America’s schools for nearly 50 years. What do young people risk losing today?
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Ages 11 and up
ISBN 978-1-5476-1221-5
Buy the book:
IndieBound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
REVIEWS
“Through accessible language, strong and unhurried pacing, and the deft incorporation of human interest in the story, Levy crafts a compelling narrative. . . . highly recommended”
“A compelling, well-researched account . . . meticulous.”
“riveting”
“A welcome, timely resource”
“At first glance, the time period . . . seems far removed from our own. But the issues of the trial remain with us today. . . . [A] fine, thoroughly researched book.”
“The past feels astonishingly present in Debbie Levy’s comprehensive and conversational A Dangerous Idea . . . . [W]hen history repeats itself, we should all pay attention.”
“Debbie Levy has written a gripping narrative. . . . engaging and enlightening for all ages.”
“Captivating must-read history of the battle over evolution. . . . [C]hapters on the trial and why biology teacher John Scopes was actually arrested are flat-out fun reading.”
DISTINCTIONS
ALA Notable Children’s Books 2026
NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book Award 2026
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
SLJ Best Books 2025
Booklist 2025 Editors’ Choice
NEA’s Read Across America Young Adult Selection for December 2025
A Common Sense Media “Common Sense Selection”
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) 2025 ASJA awardee
Grateful American Book Prize 2025 awardee
RESOURCES
NEA’s Read Across America has created discussion questions and ideas for sharing A Dangerous Idea, which is its young adult selection for December 2025.
“Rabbit Holes, Benthic Burrows, and Other Detours,” my post about research byways for SLJ’s Teen Librarian Toolbox.
“History Lesson: New Middle Grade Book Explores Twists and Turns of Scopes Trial,” in School Library Journal, January 21, 2025.
“Q & A with Debbie Levy,” in Publishers Weekly, January 27, 2025.
Watch or listen to my discussion with Blaine DeSantis on his podcast, Books & Looks.