Sugar Changed the World

Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science

by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos

Marc Aronson has another winner in this book written in collaboration with his wife, Marina Budhos. The couple became interested in the subject of sugar when they discovered that they both have sugar in their family backgrounds. Aronson’s contact is through an aunt by marriage whose grandfather was a Russian serf who found a way to give raw beet sugar appealing colors. Budhos’ great-grandparents emigrated from India to Guyana to work on the sugar plantations. Aronson has a doctorate in American History and runs the Nonfiction Matters blog at SLJ.com. He was awarded the first Robert F. Sibert Award for Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for Eldorado. Budhos is an associate professor English at William Paterson University. She is involved in research into the history of indenture. They see this book as “sugar as a pathway through world history.” It is a fascinating blend of science, history and social commentary—WS. (Nonfiction, gr. 5-9; Clarion, 2010)