From Booklist
Gr. 9-12. This collective biography introduces eight women who made their marks in biology and related fields: Gerty Cory, Josephine Baker, Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rosalyn Yalow, Dorothy Hodgkin, Mary Leakey, Rosalind Franklin, and Sylvia Earle. Each chapter provides biographical information, including anecdotes that give insight into the scientist's personality, as well as a discussion of the subject's career and accomplishments. Several of these accounts explain research work for which the scientists earned the Nobel Prize. Perhaps the most vivid account is of Josephine Baker, who became a doctor in 1900 and, as the first head of New York City's Department of Child Hygiene, implemented policies that dramatically lowered the city's infant mortality rate. Though the stories vary, the qualities of diligence, intelligence, and excellence are common threads. Back matter is sketchy, with no notes (even for quotations), a short bibliography, and an index that includes only proper names. Given the lack of information on women scientists beyond those who names are well known, this is a useful addition to many library collections. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
