Includes bibliographical references (pages 90-91) and index.

"For fans of the "Who Was" series, this lively, accessible, and full-color chapter book biography shows how a self-taught scientist was the first to observe the microbial life in and around us. By building his own microscope, Antony van Leeuwenhoek advanced humanity's understanding of our oft-invisible world around us."--,Provided by publisher.

Invisible organisms called microbes are everywhere: in soil, oceans, and snow; in the food we eat and the air we breathe - even inside our bodies. But in Antony van Leeuwenhoek's time, people believed that what they could see with their own eyes was all that existed in the world. Using microscopes of his own design, Antony discovered a living world no one had seen before. How did the simple tradesman - who didn't go to college or speak English or Latin, like all the other scientists - change everyone's minds? Proving that remarkable discoveries can come from the most unexpected people and places, this eye-opening chapter book, illustrated with lively full-color art, celebrates the power of curiousity, ingenuity, and persistence. --,From dust jacket.

Ages 7-10.

Grades 4 to 6.

890L,Lexile

Sentence length: 4 (hard),Word frequency: 1 (very easy),Lexile

Accelerated Reader,MG,5.8,1.0.