Korkidis Received Literary Titan Book Award
The fifth installment of the Dr. K's Portal Through Time series earned a five-star review for its historical focus.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Life Sciences
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Author Dr. Katherine E.A. Korkidis has received the Literary Titan Book Award for her latest book, Rosalind Franklin's DNA Discovery. The fifth title in the educational series depicts the work of historical scientists through a fictional time-travel narrative.
Why it matters
The book aims to teach upper-elementary and middle-grade students about the evolution of scientific research and ethics. By blending historical events with an adventure plot, the material frames science as a dynamic human endeavor.
The educational book is the fifth volume in a series designed for upper-elementary and middle-grade students. It focuses on the specific scientific history of research conducted at King's College in the early 1950s.
The players
Dr. Katherine E.A. Korkidis
She is the author of nine award-winning books and the creator of the educational Dr. K's Portal Through Time series.
Rosalind Franklin
She was a chemist whose research on DNA and viruses in the 1950s is the primary historical subject of the award-winning book.
Literary Titan
This organization reviews books and grants awards to recognize literary merit, having provided a five-star review for this title.
The details
The narrative follows two siblings, Jennifer and Daniel, as they travel through time to observe Rosalind Franklin's real-world research on DNA and viruses. The book includes structured science activities and lesson plans to support classroom or home learning.
Timeline
The book depicts events in London during the early 1950s.
The first book in the series earned a Spring 2025 BookFest Silver Medal.
The third book received a 2026 Global Book Awards Bronze Medal.
The Literary Titan Book Award was announced on October 10, 2026.
The Big Picture
This recognition reflects the broader rise of STEM-focused educational fiction for middle-grade readers in the United States. The work follows a growing trend of integrating complex scientific history into accessible adventure narratives to engage students early in their education.
Parents and teachers can use the included lesson plans and science activities to supplement the book's narrative content. These resources allow students to actively explore scientific processes while reading the fictional story.
The takeaway
Using time travel to dramatize historical breakthroughs can help make abstract scientific concepts more relatable to young students. Readers interested in science history may find that combining fictional narratives with historical accuracy provides a stronger foundation for understanding scientific ethics.
Further reading
Discover more about science education resources in the Life Sciences section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trinidad Express Newspapers.
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