As an informational text, this falls short; as an inspirational book, it could still do better.
Clinton highlights the accomplishments of women who have pursued STEM careers despite sexism.
On an opening spread depicting a diverse group of people exploring STEM displays in a museum exhibit, Clinton tells readers that sexism exists in STEM but that “the world needs everyone’s scientific discoveries.” She spotlights individuals such as health care workers Florence Nightingale and Rebecca Lee Crumpler, chemist Rosalind Franklin, and molecular biologist Flossie Wong-Staal, mathematicians and computer scientists Grace Hopper and Gladys West, primatologist Jane Goodall, architect Zaha Hadid, and astronaut Ellen Ochoa. Mari Copeny and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, advocates for clean water in Flint, Michigan, are profiled together. The final spread highlights youth climate activists Autumn Peltier, Greta Thunberg, and Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti. The brief entries appear to be arranged chronologically by the subjects’ dates of birth, although no dates are listed anywhere in the book and no backmatter is included. Each profile contains at most a paragraph and a quote from each woman, although they are only rarely attributed. As with the previous two volumes, calm, muted watercolor-and-ink illustrations appear throughout. While the individuals covered here are diverse in terms of race, no out queer women are featured, and apart from Temple Grandin’s autism, no other disabilities are discussed. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
As an informational text, this falls short; as an inspirational book, it could still do better. (Informational picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: March 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35329-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: June 7, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Adventure, humor, and smart, likable characters make for a winning chapter book.
Ada Twist’s incessant stream of questions leads to answers that help solve a neighborhood crisis.
Ada conducts experiments at home to answer questions such as, why does Mom’s coffee smell stronger than Dad’s coffee? Each answer leads to another question, another hypothesis, and another experiment, which is how she goes from collecting data on backyard birds for a citizen-science project to helping Rosie Revere figure out how to get her uncle Ned down from the sky, where his helium-filled “perilous pants” are keeping him afloat. The Questioneers—Rosie the engineer, Iggy Peck the architect, and Ada the scientist—work together, asking questions like scientists. Armed with knowledge (of molecules and air pressure, force and temperature) but more importantly, with curiosity, Ada works out a solution. Ada is a recognizable, three-dimensional girl in this delightfully silly chapter book: tirelessly curious and determined yet easily excited and still learning to express herself. If science concepts aren’t completely clear in this romp, relationships and emotions certainly are. In playful full- and half-page illustrations that break up the text, Ada is black with Afro-textured hair; Rosie and Iggy are white. A closing section on citizen science may inspire readers to get involved in science too; on the other hand, the “Ode to a Gas!” may just puzzle them. Other backmatter topics include the importance of bird study and the threat palm-oil use poses to rainforests.
Adventure, humor, and smart, likable characters make for a winning chapter book. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: April 16, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4197-3422-9
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In first-person voice, Aldrin highlights points from his childhood that led to his dream of being an astronaut and making the historic moon landing. Coincidental details like his mother’s maiden name, “Moon,” and his favorite movie hero, the “Lone Ranger,” suggest clues to his destiny. After West Point, he joined the Air Force because “he wanted to fly more than anything.” Minor’s usual beautiful and realistic illustrations effectively convey spatial perspectives and movement, adding depth to the narrative. However, the cover design and type layout are confusing, indicative of a biography instead of an autobiography—a brief intro could have clarified it. Aldrin’s message in an author’s note avows, “If you set your sights high, you may accomplish more than you ever dreamed.” Pair this with Don Brown’s One Giant Step for a child’s-eye view on space exploration. (Flight/space exploration chronology) (Picture book/biography. 6-9)
Pub Date: June 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-06-055445-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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