EMMY NOETHER
The Most Important Mathematician You've Never Heard of
by Helaine Becker ; illustrated by Kari Rust
An unsung heroine of math and science.
Born in 1882, when education for women was discouraged and society mostly ignored their intellectual talents, Emmy Noether, a White, German Jewish woman, managed to subsist on a small inheritance while discovering laws of physics and mathematics that changed our understanding of the universe. Clear, straightforward text that is full of drama and excitement and striking, evocative art with a subtle sense of humor portray her unusual life, quirky personality, struggles with sexism and anti-Semitism, and groundbreaking discoveries in clear, easy-to-understand detail. By explicitly presenting both the cultural beliefs of the time and the legal and academic limitations women were subjected to, Becker and Rust allow Noether’s accomplishments to shine all the brighter. The scientific and mathematical concepts she clarified and/or identified, such as the theory of relativity and Noether’s theorem, are explained in an impressively accessible manner. Just enough information on the Nazis’ rise to power is included to relay its danger and significance without taking the focus away from Noether, her brilliance, and her continuous dedication to mathematics, including her mentorship of students. Noether’s single-mindedness and accomplishments are sure to inspire admiration while the injustices she faced and her own quiet rebellion may lead many young readers to further questions and exploration. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11.3-by-17.8-inch double-page spreads viewed at 71.8% of actual size.)
A vivid biographical depiction of history, math, science, and the importance of women in STEM.
(author’s note, further reading) (Picture book/biography. 6-10)