Girls Who Looked Under Rocks

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, as comfortable with a pen as with a magnifying glass.  They all started out as girls who didn’t run from spiders or snakes, but crouched down to take a closer look.  Often they were discouraged  from getting dirty, much less pursuing careers in science.  But they all became enthusiastic teachers, energetic writers, and passionate scientists.  Their stories remind us to look and look harder.  Under rotten logs or puddles, there are amazing things to see.

A wonderful resource for young researchers and biographers, these stories can be a starting point for issues of gender, science, and the environment.

Ages 10-16