Girls Who Looked Under Rocks: The Lives of Six Pioneering Naturalists [Paperback]

Jeannine Atkins (Author), Paula Conner (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

If there is a pre-teen or adolescent in your life, especially a girl, take a look at this empowering, inspiring chapter book. It portrays the youths and careers of six remarkable women whose curiosity about nature fueled a passion to steadfastly overcome obstacles to careers in traditionally men-only occupations. The six--Maria Merian (b.1647), Anna Comstock (b.1854), Frances Hamerstrom (b.1907), Rachel Carson (b.1907), Miriam Rothschild (b.1908), and Jane Goodall (b.1934)--all became renowned scientists, artists and writers. A wonderful resource for young researchers and biographers, these stories can be a starting point for issues of gender, science, and the environment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children for 2001" -- selection by the Children's Book Council & National Science Teacher's Association

. . . a book that I would read to my little girl. . . inspirational and empowering for young girls - A MUST READ. -- Mary Drew - American Association for University Women Newsletter

. . . a book that I would want to read to my little girl. . . inspirational and empowering... - A MUST READ. --Mary Drew - American Association for University Women Newsletter

About the Author

Jeannine Atkins was a girl who looked under rocks. Particular trees and stones outside her house were familiar as her bedroom and made good spots to wonder. When she grew up, writing became her way to keep exploring and dreaming. She particularly likes combing libraries for stories about amazing girls and women. In addition to this book, they have inspired her picture books, which include Aani and the Tree Huggers and Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon. She lives with her husband and their daughter in Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 63 pages
• Publisher: Dawn Pubns (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584690119
• ISBN-13: 978-1584690115
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Science & Technology > General
  • #50 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Girls & Women > Nonfiction
  • #66 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Science & Technology

More About the Author

Jeannine Atkins writes books for children and teens. Her most recent book is Borrowed Names: Poems about Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madam C. J. Walker, Marie Curie and their Daughters. She teaches Children's Literature in the English Department at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. You can learn more on her website at www.Jeannineatkins.com or read her blog, View from a Window Seat, at http://jeannineatkins.livejournal.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book, August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Girls Who Looked Under Rocks: The Lives of Six Pioneering Naturalists (Paperback)

Six women whose interest in nature began as young girls are profiled in short biographies that are interesting and easy to read. The biographies are accompanied by lovely charcoal drawings of each subject engaged in her area of interest as either a young girl or woman or both. The women: Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717), Anna Botsford Comstock (1854-1930), Frances Hamerstrom(1907-1998), Rachel Carson (1907-1964), Miriam Rothschild (1908-), and Jane Goodall (1934-) became noted scientists, teachers and authors but some were often discouraged from pursuing their interets. The book highlights each woman's fundamental understanding of the connections between all living things. This book would be an excellent additon to any middle school library .

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great bios for all girls..., March 9, 2002

By 

Reader "kpcetal" (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Girls Who Looked Under Rocks: The Lives of Six Pioneering Naturalists (Paperback)

Well written, straight forward biographies of some interesting naturalists. Not overly sentimental- the challenges of their lives are not glossed over, but they are not romanticized either.

As expected, our 2nd grader- the one who can identify half a dozen types of slug in our garden- *loved* this book. What surprised us, though, was that her frilly sister- the one who reckons that gardens are for tea parties- enjoyed the book as well. Don't limit yourself to giving this book to nature-loving girls!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book review of Girl Who Looked Under Rocks, August 9, 2006

By 

K. Zomick "Karen Z." (NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Girls Who Looked Under Rocks: The Lives of Six Pioneering Naturalists (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book about the pioneering naturalist women. I never knew how vital some of these women were to nature conservation.