Ignite Her Curiosity: 60 Children's Books to Inspire Science-Loving Mighty Girls

Ada: My First Ada Lovelace (Little People, Big Dreams)

Young Ada Lovelace had a phenomenal talent for math — and as the child of a noble household, she had plenty of time to study. As a young adult, she met the inventor Charles Babbage, who had created an early mechanical computer. Lovelace's work with Babbage not only helped him develop his machine; it also predicted today's computer age, making her the world's first computer programmer! This board book adaptation of Ada Lovelace (Little People, Big Dreams) is perfect for introducing Lovelace's story to the littlest readers. You can also find volumes from this board book series featuring Jane Goodall and Marie Curie.

Mae Among The Stars

Mae Jemison famously became the first African American woman in space on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992 but years before that historic journey, she was a little girl who dreamed of dancing in space. Her mother told her, "If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible." Little Mae's curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents' encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA. This inspirational introduction to a trailblazing astronaut will encourage children to reach for the stars and never give up on their dreams.

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist

From the moment she saw a shark at the New York Aquarium, Eugenie Clark was fascinated, but the rest of the world thought that sharks were mindless eating machines — and that girls couldn't be scientists. Clark devoted her life to learning about sharks, and proved that sharks weren't as dangerous as people feared. She even proved they could learn! She also built public support for the protection of her beloved sharks and the ocean in which they lived. This picture book biography of the "Shark Lady" is a celebration of a daring woman who changed the way the world saw one of the ocean's most famous inhabitants. For another book about Clark, check out Swimming With Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark for ages 5 to 8.

Anne and Her Tower of Giraffes: The Adventurous Life of the First Giraffologist

When 3-year-old Anne sees her first giraffe, she is captivated — and she knows she wants to study these incredible creatures. Nobody knows what to make of her: the scientific study of giraffes doesn't even exist, and female scientists are few and far between. But her interest never fades as she grows, so as an adult, she travels to South Africa alone. There, four years before Jane Goodall starts studying chimpanzees, Anne studies giraffes in the wild — becoming the world's first giraffologist! This inspiring picture book includes fascinating details — including a Q&A with Dr. Dagg herself — and expressive artwork that captures both the majesty of giraffes and the unflagging determination of this pioneering scientist.

Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell didn’t want to be a wife, or a teacher, or a seamstress: she wanted to be a doctor! But in the 1830s, that just wasn't something women did. Elizabeth wasn't swayed, though: when people told her she wasn’t smart enough, or strong enough, she knew better. She fought her way past detractors and skeptics to attend medical school, and not only was she the first woman to graduate from a medical degree in the US, she became the first woman to join the UK Medical Register. Her brilliant career would become an inspiration for generations of women after her. With its colorful art and inspiring tone, this is sure to be a favorite for would-be doctors everywhere.

I Am Jane Goodall

This captivating picture book tells the story of Jane Goodall, the chimpanzee scientist who turned her love of nature into a career that both revolutionized our understanding of what it means to be human and opened the door for generations of female scientists after her. From her childhood escapades, hiding in the family chicken coop so she could see a hen lay an egg first hand, to her decades of research in Africa, this book shows how Goodall turned her natural talents into a career that changed the world.Filled with colorful illustrations, this volume from the Ordinary People Change The World Collection strikes a wonderful balance between information and inspiration and sends a strong message to kids about the importance of determination in achieving your goals.

Women in Science Boxed Gift Set (Little People, Big Dreams)

The internationally bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series pays tribute to groundbreaking women of science in this hardcover gift set! In this collection, kids will meet Ada Lovelace, Amelia Earhart and Marie Curie, three very different women whose contributions to science still resonate today. In each title, stylish illustrations and engaging text encourage kids to learn more about these women — and to dream big about their own futures.

The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest

Meg Lowman was a shy child who rarely spoke in school — but she adored the natural world, and particularly the trees and the many organisms that lived in their branches and leaves. So she decided she wanted to become a scientist and study the canopies in the rain forest. There were many obstacles in her way, from the inaccessibility of the treetops to the sexism she faced in the scientific community to the logging and clearing that threatened this precious ecosystem. But Lowman persevered, and "Canopy Meg" not only created her own future, but helped ensure the rainforests had a future too. With vibrant illustrations (that conceal fascinating facts about rainforests in their leafy designs) and text drafted with the help of Lowman herself, this picture book is a detailed and exciting portrait of a pioneering scientist and the incredible world she loves.

The Astronaut With A Song For The Stars: The Story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa

Ellen Ochoa dreamed of playing her flute professionally — until she discovered engineering in college and was immediately hooked. People doubted whether she could succeed: a girl from an immigrant family wasn't the right sort of person to become a scientist, they thought. She refused to believe them, and not only did she achieve her career in engineering, but she even became a NASA astronaut. And when she flew into outer space, her flute came with her, so she could play a song for the stars! This appealing biography from the Amazing Scientists series is a colorful tribute to this daring scientist and musician.

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles

Like many young girls of her time, Joan Procter hosted pretend tea parties... but unlike the other girls, she invited lizards, snakes, and other reptiles to her table! Joan loved all reptiles, and she became famous for carrying her favorite lizard everywhere she went, and even bringing a crocodile to school! When Joan grew up, she found her place: Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum, and the designer of the Reptile House at the London Zoo, where she once again hosted children's tea parties — this time with her pet komodo dragon! This lively biography of a groundbreaking, lizard-loving scientist is sure to delight young readers.

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

In 1818, Jeanne Power was a former dressmaker who became a self-taught naturalist after moving from Paris to Sicily. She was fascinated by the life forms in the ocean — but while it was easy to study animals on land, how could she study the ones in the sea? Power built a glass box — an aquarium — that she could use to examine aquatic creatures, and she made groundbreaking discoveries doing so! And even when men tried to take credit for her work, she argued her case and made sure she got her due. This vibrant picture book biography celebrates a little known pioneer of science whose legacy lives on in every aquarium found in homes, research facilities, and zoos around the world.

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom

Wu Chien Shiung's name meant "Courageous Hero," and her parents supported her in achieving her dreams: at a time when most girls in China didn't attend school, they encouraged her love of science. When she faced prejudice, they urged her to "Just put your head down and/ keep walking forward." Wu would end up traveling to the US, where her work on parity and beta decay helped drive physics forward — but because of prejudice against both her race and her sex, she was overlooked for both promotions and the Nobel Prize. This bittersweet but inspiring biography from the People Who Shaped Our World series introduces young readers to a little-known trailblazing women in physics.

June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus

June Almeida loved science, even as a young girl growing up in Glasgow, Scotland. But even though she was a top student, her family struggled financially and she had to leave school at the age of 16. She was determined, though, to find a way to pursue a scientific career and she was hired by a local hospital to work in its lab. There, she proved that she had an incredible talent for using a microscope to examine cells, making discoveries that helped doctors treat patients. And after years of working with electron microscopes and identifying viruses, she made a very special discovery — the first human coronavirus! This fascinating picture book, which includes a timeline and photos of June and her historic virus photographs in the back matter, celebrates a pioneering virologist whose groundbreaking work continues to help researchers today in the fight against illnesses caused by viruses, including COVID-19.

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code

Grace Hopper was a software tester, a creative inventor, and a top-notch mentor — but she was also a famous rule-breaker, risk-taker, and sometimes a real trouble-maker! In this riveting picture book biography of the woman nicknamed "Amazing Grace," author Laurie Wallmark captures the determination and cleverness of the woman who invented the COBOL computer language, allowing people to "talk" to computers with typed commands. Fun anecdotes — like the time she found a literal bug in the computer — provide a glimpse into the extraordinary life of this accomplished woman, who knew that quick thinking and insatiable curiosity were the key to pushing a (sometimes reluctant) world forward.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

When Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden joined NASA, they were hired as "human computers" — their mathematical genius was put to use calculating launch trajectories for America's first trips to space. They overcame both racism and sexism, carved out careers in science, and participated in some of NASA's greatest triumphs. Fans of the Hidden Figures movie will be excited to share this picture book adaptation of the story of these groundbreaking women mathematicians with younger readers!

She Heard the Birds: The Story of Florence Merriam Bailey

Florence Merriam Bailey loved birds: she adored spending time outside, watching and listening to her feathered friends. But when she grew up, she learned that most ornithologists of her day studied birds that had been stuffed and mounted, and never set foot outside their labs except to trap even more birds. Bailey proposed the modern system of birdwatching, even writing one of the first field guides to American birds, Birds Through An Opera-Glass. She was also an advocate for conservation, encouraging women to refuse to wear feathers in their fashion and fighting for laws that protected wild spaces. Author Andrea D'Aquino's elegant text and gorgeous collage illustrations tell the story of this pioneering scientist and how her innovative perspective changed the world.

The Girl Who Thought In Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin

Doctors told Temple Grandin's mother that she'd never speak, let alone have a productive life. But her mother refused to believe it: she saw potential in her observant and creative child. As Temple grew, she learned to articulate how her mind worked: her astounding visual memory allowed her to draw whole blueprints from just one tour through a facility, and her empathy with animals helped her design spaces that helped them stay calm. Today, she is a powerful voice in science, advocating for autistic people like herself. This picture book biography told in rhyming text, the first book in the Amazing Scientists series, is an inspiring introduction to an important figure in scientific history. For another picture book about Grandin, we recommend How to Build A Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine for ages 5 to 9. Older kids can read about Grandin's story in Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World for ages 9 to 14.

Hedy Lamarr's Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor

As a child growing up in Austria, Hedy Lamarr wanted to know how everything worked — she even took apart her toys! But she also loved acting out her favorite scenes from movies. As an adult, the world knew Hedy Lamarr as a glamorous movie star, but she had a secret: she was also an inventor. And in the middle of World War II, she created an invention for the U.S. Navy that would become the foundation for some of today's most important technologies, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS! Author / illustrator pair Laurie Wallmark and Katie Wu, creators of Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code, team up once again for this compelling introduction to a little-known scientific talent.

Caroline's Comets: A True Story

Caroline Herschel was born to a family where girls weren't expected to amount to much — especially once she ended up scarred by smallpox and stunted by typhus. Her family used her as a scullery maid, but her brother William saw her promise, so when he left for England, he took her with him. Together, the astronomy-loving brother and sister built the greatest telescope of their age, which Caroline used to discover fourteen nebulae and two galaxies. She even became the first woman to discover a comet — and the first woman officially employed as a scientist. This picture book biography of the groundbreaking astronomer will inspire kids with her spirit of curiosity and resilience.

The Girl With A Mind For Math: The Story of Raye Montague

As a 7-year-old during WWII, Raye Montague toured a captured German submarine and immediately set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know that sexism and racism would challenge her dream every step of the way. Raye ended up working at the US Navy as a typist, studying engineering at night. One day, when all the engineers were sick with the flu, she astonished everyone by completing all of their work. She went on to become the first person to design a ship on a computer and the Navy's first female ship designer. This inspiring picture book from the Amazing Scientists series celebrates a pioneer who changed ship design forever.

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine

Thanks to her mathematically talented mother, Anne Isabella Byron, young Ada had the opportunity to develop her remarkable intelligence. Years later, when she met Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, he named her the Enchantress of Numbers for her astounding mathematical skills. Little did either of them know that, when she designed an algorithm for Babbage’s Analytical Engine, she would be making history — by writing the world’s first computer program! With vivid artwork and intriguing anecdotes about Lovelace's genius, this picture book biography pays homage to a little-known but deeply influential figure in computing history. Ada's story is also told in three more picture books, Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science for ages 5 to 9 and Who Says Women Can't Be Computer Programmersand Ada's Ideas, both for ages 6 to 9.

Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars

When Jocelyn Bell Burnell was a girl, she wanted to understand all about how the world worked — even though many people thought girls shouldn't be scientists. As a Ph.D. student, she built a radio telescope for her supervisor to study distant stars... and noticed something strange. One signal repeated in the sky, at perfect intervals. She had discovered the first pulsar! And while she was left off of the Nobel Prize awarded for her discovery — still one of the most hotly debated Nobel decisions — Burnell just kept studying, making more discoveries and inspiring a generation of women in science. This picture book biography of the pioneering astrophysicist, with artwork that includes luminous depictions of a mysterious and wonderful night sky, will leave kids eager to make their own discoveries about our universe.

How to Hear the Universe

Gaby González and the Search for Einstein's Ripples in Space-Time

In 1916, Albert Einstein theorized that there were collisions in space, far out in the universe, which might make sound waves that we could use to understand the beginning of the universe — and the far reaches of it. But there was no way for him to prove it. Decades later, a scientist named Gabriela González, who had immigrated to America from Argentina, decided to take up Einstein's question. With brand new technology and a crack team of physicists, González finally found it: a sound wave, rippling through space-time. 100 years after Einstein had first proposed the idea, it was González who proved he was right. Written by molecular biologist Patricia Valdez, and with exuberant illustrations from award-winning illustrator Sara Palacios, this picture book about two pioneering scientists will fill kids with a sense of wonder about the universe.

The Girl Who Built an Ocean: An Artist, an Argonaut, and the True Story of the World's First Aquarium

Jeanne Villepreux-Power expected to spend her life sewing gowns for French nobles, but when she married a merchant and moved by the sea, she had the chance to indulge her curiosity about nature. She started studying ocean creatures, collecting specimens and filling books with her observations. But the creature she was most fascinated by, the argonaut, was hard to examine: it was shy and would swim away when she approached. If only she could have a piece of the ocean that she could keep at home... and just like that, Villepreux-Power was inspired to build the world's first aquarium, an invention that has helped generations of scientists make new discoveries! Jess Keating, the author of Shark Lady, captures Villepreux-Power's curiosity and innovation with exuberant text that celebrates a STEM pioneer.

Margaret and the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Saved the First Lunar Landing

Margaret Hamilton loved numbers, and to her, the best part of math was when it could solve a problem in the real world! Her love of math introduced her to computers, and then to a job at NASA, where they were planning a mission to the moon — and computers were going to be a part of it. Hamilton hand-wrote the code for the Apollo missions, and when a last-minute problem cropped up as Apollo 11 prepared for a lunar landing, it was Hamilton's forward-thinking code that saved the day! This fascinating and fun picture book biography of a computing pioneer — the woman who coined the term software engineer — beautifully depicts the spirit of curiosity and determination that drove Hamilton to success.

You Should Meet: Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison dreamed of becoming an astronaut from childhood. She went to medical school and joined the Peace Corps, but she never forgot that dream — so in 1985, she applied to NASA, and in 1992, Jemison became the first African-American woman to go into space! In this Level 3 Ready-To-Read book from the You Should Meet series, newly independent readers can learn all about Jemison's fascinating life and career. Additional material at the end includes information about math and history, and even a timeline with fun facts about space! For an inspiring picture book about Jemison, check out Mae Among The Stars for ages 4 to 8.

Shining Star: Vera Rubin Discovers Dark Matter

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Even as a girl, Vera Rubin was captivated by the night sky — she wanted to know everything about stars, galaxies, and more! She became an astronomer despite having to fight sexism at every step along the way, often having to fight for access to simple tools like the massive telescopes that allowed scientists to peek far into the universe. And then, she noticed something extraordinary: the visible objects in the universe didn't seem to explain all of the forces she could observe. Her explanation — the concept of dark matter — is one of the most important astronomical discoveries of the 20th century! This empowering picture book by author Suzanne Slade is a tribute to the power of a curious mind.

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer

As a child in Scotland, Williamina Fleming loved light, from her photographer father's images to the stars in the night sky. As an adult, she moved to America, and hoped to become an astronomer, but she faced many obstacles: after her husband disappeared, she was left as a single mother, and as a woman, she wasn't allowed to use the Harvard Observatory telescope. But she persevered, becoming one of Harvard's "human computers" analyzing data... and created a map of the universe that became the foundation for modern astronomy! Newbery Honor-winning author Kathryn Lasky captures both the sexism that blocked Fleming's work, and the love of the stars that allowed her to persist in her work, celebrating the passion and determination of this trailblazer.

Sisters in Science: Marie Curie, Bronia Dluska, and the Atomic Power of Sisterhood

Marie Curie is one of the most famous scientists in the world — but few people know that her success was in large part due to a pact she made with her sister Bronia! As students at the secret "Flying University" the sisters agreed that Marie would support Bronia's medical education at the Sorbonne in France, and then Bronia would support Marie in her own schooling. When Bronia graduated, Marie almost gave up on her dream, but Bronia convinced her to keep going — and the rest is history. This compelling dual biography of two sisters who both blazed trails in STEM is a testament to the power of family support.

Comet Chaser: The True Cinderella Story of Caroline Herschel, the First Professional Woman Astronomer

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As a girl in the mid-1700s, Caroline Herschel was expected to serve in a household, not study the stars. Her father taught her math and music when he could, but when he died, her mother stopped her education completely and put her to work. Fortunately, her older brother William sent his mother money to hire a servant and brought Caroline to join him in England. There, the pair plotted star charts and built telescopes together — the best telescopes of their day! And when Caroline discovered a comet, becoming the first woman to do so, her name was set in scientific history. This stunning picture book biography is a celebration of what happens when brilliant minds are given the power to follow their dreams.

The Stuff Between the Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe

Vera Rubin started her career watching the stars as a child, from her bedroom window; when she grew up, she was the only female astronomy major at Vassar College, determined to make a career for herself. Although her painstaking calculations led to multiple discoveries, many male astronomers dismissed her work... but she kept going. And when she proved that there was mass that wasn't visible in the galaxies overhead — dark matter — she changed the way we understood the universe. With vivid illustrations of the night sky and real quotes from Rubin herself, this stunning picture book celebrates a woman in STEM who changed her field forever.

Instructions Not Included: How a Team of Women Coded the Future

During World War II, everything had to be done with paper and pencil — but people hoped that an early computer called ENIAC might give America an edge during the war effort. Three women — Betty Snyder, Jean Jennings, and Kay McNulty — were assigned to figure out how to use the machine, with no instructions and almost no access to the computer itself. Through trial and error, they brought their talents to bear... and their work would bring the world one step closer to today's computer age. This vibrant illustrated history of three computer pioneers will inspire the next generation of programmers!

Skybound: Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist

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Mary Myers dreamed of flying, but in the 1850s, that meant riding a hot air balloon, and a proper young lady would never do something so bold and dangerous. Or would she? Mary's husband Carl was a hot air balloon enthusiast too, and he encouraged her dreams. Together, they experimented with balloon designs, learning chemistry, engineering, and meteorology along the way. To test their balloons, they needed someone brave enough to do balloon tricks, steady enough to keep their head, and scientifically knowledgeable enough to record flight data. Using the stage name "Carlotta," Mary proved she was just the person for the job! Her scientific work helped the world better understand flight, weather, and more. This colorful picture book tells the story of a woman whose dreams of flight helped change the scientific world forever.

Gutsy Girls Go For Science: Paleontologists

Whether you're fascinated by dinosaurs, dig trilobites, or wonder about the history of human evolution, paleontologists are seeking the same answers you are! This book from the Gutsy Girls Go For Science series introduces readers to five female paleontologists: Mary Anning, Mignon Talbot, Tilly Edinger, Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska, and Mary Leakey. Then, kids can try hands-on STEM activities like modeling an excavation and preparing specimens to gain critical thinking skills and get an idea what it takes to succeed in this field. This full-color book packed with fascinating facts is sure to get kids curious about what lies underneath their feet! Other books from this series focus on programmers, astronauts, and engineers.

Undaunted: The Wild Life of Biruté Mary Galdikas and Her Fearless Quest to Save Orangutans

Biruté Mary Galdikas was only 25 years old when she traveled to the rainforests of Borneo to study orangutans in the wild. Like her colleagues, Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, she faced skepticism about whether a woman could do the job — and her research prompted a fierce determination to protect these beautiful animals and their precious and ever-shrinking habitat. In this stunning book, award-winning author Anita Silvey introduces young readers to this little-known primatologist, and the remarkable primates that Galdikas has dedicated her life to understanding.

Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall

In her nearly 60 year career, Jane Goodall went from an oddity — a woman researching primates in the wild? — to one of the world's most recognizable scientists and conservationists. Along the way, she changed the way we think about our planet — and what it means to be human. In this beautiful biography of Goodall, readers will learn about her amazing achievements, born of her remarkable ability to connect with the chimpanzees she sought to study. Primary sources and full-color photographs create a vivid and inspiring depiction of this trailblazing scientist. Fans can also check out Who Is Jane Goodall? from the popular Who Was...? biography series for ages 8 to 12 or find many more titles in our Jane Goodall Collection.

Hidden Figures Young Readers' Edition

Before people could orbit the Earth or fly to the moon, there was a group of "human computers": dedicated female mathematician who used pencil and slide rule to calculate how to launch rockets. Four African-American women, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, were critical to the story of space flight — and yet their story was largely untold. In this young readers edition of Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, tweens will learn how these women, so little appreciated in their time, changed both NASA and America for the better. Younger readers can check out the picture book Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race for ages 5 to 9.

Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist

As a child in a Mexican-American community, everyone expected that Sylvia Acevedo would grow up to marry and stay at home with her children — but Sylvia yearned for adventure. Then she joined the Brownies and her life was transformed. Through the Girl Scouts, she found peers who shared her love of science and role models that fostered her confidence and independence. Acevedo would become a rocket scientist for NASA — and today, she's the CEO of the Girl Scouts, helping other girls follow their dreams. This inspiring memoir is a celebration of resilience and a testament to the transformative impact of the Girl Scouts on many girls' lives.

Women in Science

50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

This charmingly illustrated and educational book highlights the contributions of fifty notable women to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from the ancient to the modern world. Full of striking, singular art, this fascinating collection profiles well-known figures like primatologist Jane Goodall, as well as lesser-known pioneers such as Katherine Johnson, the African-American physicist and mathematician who calculated the trajectory of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Women in Science celebrates the achievements of the intrepid women who have paved the way for the next generation of female engineers, biologists, mathematicians, doctors, astronauts, physicists, and more!

Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World

When Temple Grandin was born, a developmental disorder likely meant a life in an institution. But her mother refused to believe that her daughter was incapable of learning, and to everyone's amazement, Grandin learned to speak and attended a regular school. As a teen, a love of science and an empathy with animals around her, who also found themselves overwhelmed and frightened by sensory stimuli, led her to a career in the animal sciences. There, she has revolutionized the livestock industry and provided a role model for autistic people around the world. This compelling biography shows readers that a different way of seeing the world can be of tremendous value in scientific discovery.

Emi and the Rhino Scientist

Emi is a Sumatran rhino, the world's smallest rhino and one of the most endangered mammals on the planet. At her home in the Cincinnati Zoo, she's well fed and kept healthy — but if the species as a whole is going to survive, every female rhino needs to have as many calves as possible. Thanks to Terri Roth, Emi became the first Sumatran rhino to give birth in captivity in over a century. In this fascinating book from the Scientists in the Field series, readers learn how Roth's work with rhino hormones might help save these curious and friendly rhinos. Fans of this book will also want to check out The Tapir Scientist from the same series, which follows Patricia Medici's work to study the mysterious lowland tapirs of Brazil.

Sea Turtle Scientist

Kimberly Stewart is known as the Turtle Lady of St. Kitts for her devotion to preserving and studying the leatherback sea turtle. Although the 800-pound adult turtles don't look like they need protecting, only one in a thousand sea turtle eggs laid on the beach will reach adulthood. So Stewart is not only collecting data to understand the turtles better, but also sharing her knowledge with local residents so that they can find sources for food and income that don't risk the species' survival. This fascinating entry in the Scientists in the Field series uses dramatic photographs to show how Stewart is helping scientists and the local community to pair up to protect the species.

Trailblazers

33 Women in Science Who Changed the World

Middle grade kids are eager to learn more about the people who have changed our world — so they're the perfect age to introduce to this inspiring collection of influential women in science! Rachel Swaby, the author of the bestselling science book for teen and adult readers, Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science – And The World, profiles 33 women in this book, including groundbreaking figures like Virginia Apgar, Stephanie Kwolek, Sally Ride, and Rachel Carson. Best of all, Swaby emphasizes that it takes work, practice, and determination to become a brilliant scientist, encouraging kids to foster their curiosity about the world and pursue their love of science.

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream

In 1958 America, as the quest for space was just beginning, NASA had a rule that an astronaut had to have military pilot experience — and of course, the military only accepted men in those roles. But some people wondered if some of the equally daring women pilots of the day belonged on the first space missions. This book tells the little-known story of the Mercury 13 women, who underwent astronaut testing and training decades before the first American woman would go to space. For kids who have grown up with both male and female astronauts, reading about the Mercury 13 and their quest for the stars will shed new light on how far we've come — and how far we have to go.

Code Girls Young Readers Edition

The True Story of the American Women Who Secretly Broke Codes in WWII

In the midst of World War II, over ten thousand American women were secretly recruited as codebreakers while men were fighting in Europe and the Pacific. These women decoded critical information that saved countless lives — and even helped bring the war to an end. However, because their work was classified, nobody, not even their own families, knew how much they had contributed to their country. Liza Mundy conducted interviews with surviving code girls and pored through recently declassified information in order to create the best-selling adult title Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II. This young readers edition brings this riveting story of courage, service, and scientific accomplishment to middle grade readers.

Radioactive!

How Irène Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World

In 1934, Irène Curie developed artificial radioactivity with her husband, a discovery that won the couple the Nobel Prize — but Curie was not permitted entry into the French Academy of Sciences, who thereafter banned all women. Four years later, Lise Meitner used Curie's research to help her understand nuclear fission, a discovery that was critical to the nuclear age, but she too was unrecognized by the Nobel Committee, while her colleague was given full credit for their joint research. In this narrative non-fiction book, Winifred Conkling highlights the struggles these groundbreaking women faced in the male-dominated world of research, shedding new light on these remarkable figures from scientific history. Younger readers interested in learning more about Meitner should check out Lise Meitner Had the Right Vision About Nuclear Fission for age 7 to 10.

The Code Breaker Young Readers Edition

Jennifer Doudna and the Race to Understand Our Genetic Code

When Jennifer Doudna was in 6th grade, she read The Double Helix, James Watson's story of discovering the structure of DNA — and she was hooked. She became determined not just to learn more about DNA, but to learn enough about biochemistry to understand RNA, the related molecule that lets genes express themselves. Her expertise in RNA led to her work helping develop CRISPR, a revolutionary technique to edit genes — one that is already being used to target genetic diseases like Tay-Sachs and sickle cell anemia. And today, her team is part of the global effort to fight the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This young reader's edition of The Code Breaker introduces this pioneering scientist and her Nobel Prize-winning work to young readers, who will be inspired to imagine how they too could change the world.

Hidden Powers: Lise Meitner's Call to Science

Lisa Meitner dreamed of becoming a scientist at the turn of the 20th century, when girls were supposed to dream of marriage and housekeeping. She fought to earn a PhD in physics, and even became the first woman physics professor at the University of Berlin, but was frustrated when people compared her to Marie Curie — "no one expects every man to be like Pierre Curie." Then, as the Nazi regime rose, she faced discrimination because of her Jewish heritage, and she finally had to flee. Her research led to the discovery of nuclear fission, but only her male research partner received the Nobel Prize... and she was forever haunted by the atom bomb that her work helped create. This stunning biography in verse by the author of Finding Wonders and Grasping Mysteries is a gorgeous portrait of this pioneering physicist.

Bold Women of Medicine

21 Stories of Astounding Discoveries, Daring Surgeries, and Healing Breakthroughs

From 19th century battlefield nurses Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale, to modern medical miracle workers like Dr. Catherine Hamlin and Dr. Bonnie Simpson Mason, women have long played a key role in medicine — but their contributions have often been downplayed or forgotten. In this fascinating new title from the Women of Action series, readers get to meet some of the daring and trailblazing women of the past two hundred years of medicine. From adventurers like Mary Carson Breckinridge, the "nurse on horseback" who delivered babies in the Appalachian Mountains, to research physicians like Virginia Apgar, who created the Apgar score that has saved millions of new born babies, these women defied prejudices and expectations, created incredible new procedures, and devoted their lives to healing people around the world.

Girls Garage

How to Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build the World You Want to See

When girls get building, big things happen! Emily Pilloton founded the nonprofit Girls Garage in 2013, using her background in architecture and construction to help girls get confident with tools as they build real-world projects to help their community. Now, in this book, she provides the same guidance to girls everywhere! This book includes all the information a would-be builder needs, including 175 illustrated tool guides, 21 essential skills, and 11 how-to projects she can try herself. Plus, this 300-page compendium includes encouraging stories from real-life girls and women builders. Part how-to manual, part inspirational guide, this book will give girls confidence that there's nothing they can't plan, fix, or build!

Atomic Women: The Untold Stories of the Scientists Who Helped Create the Nuclear Bomb

When America decided to start the Manhattan Project, they recruited scientists from around the world — and many of them were women. Scientists like Lise Meitner, Irène Joliot-Curie, Elizabeth Rona, Leona Woods, Elizabeth Graves, and Joan Hinton, call carved themselves a place in the women-unfriendly world 1940s chemistry and physics. And yet, even as they made great discoveries, few of them knew the deadly device that their research would be put to creating. In this intriguing non-fiction narrative, author Roseanne Montillo explores both the stories of these women, their little-known importance in scientific and World War II history, and the moral implications of their work.

Baby Astronaut

This pigtailed Baby Astronaut is ready for liftoff! She and her crew put on space suits and helmets before they blast off. Once she's in orbit, she'll explain why astronauts float (and even how they sleep.) Then, she'll conduct experiments: Can ants live in space? Yes! Can plants grow in space? Yes! This adorable board book from the Baby Scientist series, which also includes the book Baby Botanist, is perfect for curious babies and toddlers.

Mary Had A Little Lab

Mary spends so much time tinkering in her lab that she doesn't have any friends... so when she's feeling lonely one day, she invents the Sheepinator! Mary's new pet sheep — and her amazing invention — catch her classmates' eyes, and she decides to maintain these new connections by bringing all the other kids sheep, too. But when her plan goes a bit sideways, her newfound friends are ready and willing to help! Author Sue Fleiss' clever reimagining of the classic poem combine beautifully with Petros Bouloubasis' wacky illustrations to create an appealing combination of science and friendship.

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish

Determined scientist Dr. Morley is leading an Arctic exhibition. Her mission? To finally find and document a supposedly legendary species: the giant Arctic jellyfish! She and her team prepare carefully, and settle in to life on their research boat. But while they see the Northern Lights, orcas at play, a polar bear, and more, the jellyfish remains elusive. Maybe, though, it's closer than they think... Kids will giggle at the luminous illustrations that depict the jellyfish serenely floating along behind the ship, and get a sense of the wonder of scientific discovery when Dr. Morley finally achieves her goal.

Skulls!

Debut picture book author Blair Thornburgh celebrates a little-considered wonder: your skull! Every head has one, and while some people think they're scary, she's confident the reader won't. After all, these remarkable bones, which grow and change with you, keep your brain safe — so "Take care of your skull because you only get one." Thornburgh even throws in a page of cool skull facts. Award-winning illustrator Scott Campbell's cheery but accurate illustrations add the finishing touch to this skull-positive story that's sure to inspire budding doctors and anatomists!

Ada and the Galaxies

During the year, Ada lives in the city, where bright lights make it hard to see the stars — but in the summer, she visits her grandparents in Maine, where she can see osprey, paddle kayaks, hunt for shells... and stargaze. But this summer the fog may block the stars altogether! Fortunately, her grandfather has a book full of pictures of galaxies — "a lot of stars swarming around one another like bees" — that capture Ada's imagination.... until the fog parts and she can finally see her beloved stars again. Renowned physicist Alan Lightman collaborates with with author Olga Pastuchiv, illustrator Susanna Chapman, and the Hubble telescope itself to create a tribute to a loving grandparent relationship and to the beauty of the night sky.

Kate, Who Tamed the Wind

Kate is playing hopscotch when she hears a cry of frustration from the bare hilltop near her town. The wind there is powerful, and the man who lives there can't escape it. Kate knows the solution: planting trees! Over years — enough years that Kate becomes a teenager and the man's beard goes grey — Kate plants trees over the steep hill, tends them, and helps them grow. Finally, the trees are tall enough that Kate can truly claim to have tamed the wind. This thoughtful story about a resourceful, determined Mighty Girl shares an important message, both about the role that trees play in making our spaces healthier and more comfortable, and about the need for long-term planning and action to keep our world green.

I Wonder

Every scientific discovery began with two works: "I wonder." In this beautiful book, Eva and her mother take a walk and explore some of the mysteries of life: how gravity works, why things live and die, and even how big the universe really is. Along the way, Eva learns that it's okay to say, "I don't know" — and that some mysteries are out there, still to be discovered by curious minds like hers! This book is a wonderful way to remind kids that there's no such thing as too many questions.

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly

All anyone can talk about is Velma's amazing older sisters... which means that nobody notices Velma at all. That is, until her first grade class takes a field trip to the butterfly conservatory, someplace her sisters have never been. Velma is thrilled and quickly studies up on everything she can learn about butterflies — and when a monarch takes a liking to Velma, she'll never be forgotten again. More importantly, though, Velma has discovered a new identity and a new passion: she loves science! This charming and funny story is perfect as a read-aloud.

The Dinosaur Expert

Mr. Tiffin's class is visiting the natural history museum, and dinosaur-loving Kimmy is thrilled! She is excited to share facts about Stegosaurus and Archaeopteryx and Titanosaurus... until one of her classmates sneers that "girls aren't scientists." Kimmy is deflated, but fortunately her attentive teacher notices — and takes her to see Gasparinisauria, a dinosaur named in honor of paleontologist Zulma Nélida Brandoni de Gasparini. This gentle exploration of how early stereotypes can affect kids - and what adults can do to combat them — ends with a gallery of female paleontologists, past and present.

Dragons and Marshmallows: Zoey and Sassafras #1

Zoey has made an amazing discovery: magical animals show up in her backyard when they need help — so it's up to her to help them feel better! This time, it's a sick baby dragon she names Marshmallow. With her beloved cat Sassafras, Zoey will use the scientific method to learn enough about her patient to treat him, including testing if Marshmallow is warm or cold blooded; herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore; and much more. This first book in the whimsical illustrated early reader chapter book series is a fun blend of fantasy and real-world science. Fans of this book can follow Zoey's further adventures in the rest of the Zoey and Sassafras series.

Ada Lace, On The Case

Third grade scientist and inventor extraordinaire Ada Lace is trying to solve the mystery of a missing dog! Ada thinks her homemade gadgets and her knack for scientific thinking will allow her to crack the case, while her neighbor Nina has has her own theory about the missing dog (involving alien abduction, of all things.) As Ada and Nina get closer to the solution, though, they'll also discover that opposites can make for the best of friends. This new series from Emily Calandrelli, host of Xploration Outer Space and MIT graduate, provides a scientifically-minded detective series that young readers will love. For more of Ada's adventures, visit our Ada Lace Collection.

The Case of the Missing Moonstone

Imagine a world where Lady Ada Byron (who created the first computer algorithm) and Mary Shelley (the author of Frankenstein) met as girls — and decided to turn their combined brainpower to solving mysteries! That's the premise behind this unique new series in which the pair form The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency. In order to find the missing heirloom — and prove the false confession wrong — they'll have to use science, math, and creative analytical thinking to unveil the true culprit. Ada and Mary's adventures continue in the rest of The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series.

Chasing Secrets

It's 1900 in San Francisco, and 13-year-old Lizzie Kennedy puts on a brave face at her finishing school, acting like a "proper" young lady. But secretly, her passion is science, which she indulges when she joins her doctor father on house calls. That's where she first learns of a dark side to the city she loves — a side that's full of rumors of the plague. Everyone, including her beloved father, insists it's nonsense, but then why is the heart of the city under quarantine? Lizzie will have to cross the lines of gender, class, and race if she wants to solve the mystery and save the people she loves in this medical mystery.

The Light in the Lake

12-year-old Addie's twin brother Amos fell through the ice in Maple Lake — and only she knows he was out there because he was looking for a mysterious creature he was sure lived in the lake. When the would-be aquatic biologist gets a Young Scientist position studying the lake for the summer, she begins to wonder if Amos was on to something, and enlists the lead researcher's son, Tai, to help her investigate. But her search also shows that Maple Lake is badly polluted, and contrary to the community's belief, the locals share a big part of the blame. Addie will have to balance her desire to stay connected to Amos' memory with what science tells her if she's going to save the lake they both loved. Gentle, complex, and touching, this novel explores science, magic, and hope.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Flavia de Luce is an aspiring chemist with a particular interest in poisons, but in her 1950s English village, she's definitely the oddball. But her talents for listening at keyholes and picking locks come in handy when a series of mysterious events come to the mansion at Buckshaw: first a dead bird on the doorstep with a postage stamp on its beak, then a dying man in the family's cucumber patch. No matter what happens, Flavia can't help but admit that her life began in earnest once murder came calling! Rollicking and intriguing, this is an excellent option for teens and adults alike; fans of Flavia can find the rest of the series here.

Robot, Go Bot!

When this little girl builds her own robot, she thinks she's got the perfect best friend: one who will do whatever she says! But even robots can get tired of being told what to do all the time, and eventually — after being ordered to mow the grass and hoe the garden — the robot storms off. The little girl will have to figure out the right way to make amends before the friends can play again. This simple comic reader from the Step Into Reading series is a great read-aloud for very young kids and is easy enough for early readers to read on their own.

Boxitects

Meg loves building with boxes, and she always stuns both her peers and adults with what she makes. But then a new kid shows up at Maker School. Simone is a boxitect too — a good one — and it's not long before the two have become fierce rivals. Then the worst happens: the two are paired as a team for the annual Maker Match. Rather than work together, they each take half the materials and build one half of their creation... a plan that ends in disaster. But when they sit down and find a way to combine their talents, it turns out there's nothing they can't do! This funny and realistic story about two girls who realize that they can make amazing things when they work together is sure to inspire a little "boxitecture" in young readers!

The Most Magnificent Thing

The little girl in this story has an idea in her head for the most MAGNIFICENT thing... so with the help of her puppy sidekick, she collects some bits and pieces and starts building. Except that the result isn't quite as magnificent as she wanted, so she tries again... and again... and again. Eventually, frustration overtakes her, and she not only smashes, pummels, and explodes, she also quits. It's not until she takes a walk with her dog and clears her head that she can see the potential in all her previous design and build something that she really does feel is magnificent. This fun picture book sends a great message to young readers about the importance of persistence.

Doll-E 1.0

Young Charlotte is always tinkering, coding, and clicking — but one day her parents give her a most puzzling toy: a doll! After all, Charlotte wonders, what's she supposed to do with a "human-shaped pillow"? Then she discovers her doll has a battery-driven voice box and decides to upgrade it to Doll-E 1.0. Soon Charlotte discovers the fun to be had with her new friend and the value of a little balance between high-tech and pretend play. Filled with author-illustrator Shanda McCloskey's cheerful illustrations and witty narrative, this refreshing modern look at the joy of imaginative play also celebrates the joy of engineering!

Violet the Pilot

Violet Van Winkle could fix almost anything in her house by the time she was two. By eight, she's building incredible flying machines, even though the kids at school tease her for her eccentric creations. She decides to earn their respect by winning the blue ribbon at the Air Show, but on her way to the show, Violet sees a Boy Scout troop in trouble and has to decide which is more important: showing off her creation for applause, or using it to do the right thing. Kids who dream of careers as pilots or aeronautics engineers will cheer as Violet shows the world the joy of flight!

Rosie Revere, Engineer

Quiet Rosie dreams of inventing gizmos and gadgets, so when she hears her Great-Aunt Rose (of Rosie the Riveter fame) sighing that she never fulfilled her dream to fly, Rosie decides to create a solution that will let Aunt Rose soar. Despite her hard work, though, the heli-o-cheese-copter hovers for just a moment before crashing to the ground. Although Rosie considers it a failure, Aunt Rose reassures her that it was actually a tremendous success — because you only truly fail if you quit. Fans of Rosie will also want to check out Rosie Revere's Big Project Book for Bold Engineers, as well as her first early chapter book appearance in Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters.