Kirkus Reviews QR Code
WONDER WOMEN OF SCIENCE by Tiera Fletcher Kirkus Star

WONDER WOMEN OF SCIENCE

How 12 Geniuses Are Rocking Science, Technology, and the World

by Tiera Fletcher & Ginger Rue ; illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

Pub Date: March 23rd, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0734-7
Publisher: Candlewick

Brief, inspiring biographies of 12 female scientists are accompanied by interesting information on an array of scientific topics.

Aerospace engineer Fletcher and novelist Rue combine forces to craft an engaging series of biographies of current female scientists working in a variety of fields. Each biography begins with a “Fact File” that includes birthplace, education, current position, and honors the subject has received. Comport’s full-page portraits are complemented by snapshots of the subjects in childhood. The narrative includes information about each woman’s field, what sparked her career choice, a note of advice to her childhood self, suggestions to guide STEM-focused readers, and finally, “Words To Live By”—a few last pithy bits of advice. The women run the gamut, including a forestry engineer, a computer science engineer, and a paleoclimatologist. Each chapter is followed by a couple of pages of additional science background related to the woman’s work. A slightly flippant, breezy, and amusing writing style makes this an easy and engaging read. Each biography includes plenty of information about the scientist’s childhood experiences, making it that much more pertinent for young readers; women of color are well represented. Altogether, it offers an invaluable and highly plausible road map from youthful ambition to future success. Outstanding backmatter rounds out this excellent presentation.

A fine choice for inspiring future scientists.

(glossary, tips on success in STEM, further reading, index) (Collective biography. 10-14)