Explore the wacky, weird, and wonderful true stories behind one of the greatest scientific tools in history—the periodic table!—in this young readers edition of the New York Times bestseller The Disappearing Spoon.

Why did Gandhi hate iodine?

How did radium nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation?

Why did tellurium lead to the most bizarre gold rush in history?

The periodic table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, greed, betrayal, and obsession. A series of fascinating tales in The Disappearing Spoon follow the unassuming elements on the table as they play surprising roles in human history, finance, mythology, conflict, art, medicine—and of course the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them!

With line-drawings and side-bars throughout, students, teachers, and burgeoning science buffs will love learning the often unbelievable history behind the chemistry.

Perfect for…

★ Aspiring scientists

★ STEM classrooms

★ Trivia lovers

★ Fans of Bill Nye