Women Discoverers: Top Women in Science

Gr 8 Up–This work of graphic nonfiction explores the achievements of five notable female scientists. Moinard and Pécout chronicle Marie Curie’s early education and then her long years of research into radioactivity; Ada Lovelace’s prescient knowledge of the mathematics that would eventually turn into computer language; Hedy Lamarr’s efforts, which led to the discovery of frequency hopping; Rosalind Franklin’s revelations about DNA and viruses; and the work of doctor, astronaut, and engineer Mae Jamison, who was the first Black woman in space. The illustrations are graceful and expressive, and the narratives both appealing and well researched. In between are biographical blurbs of other female scientists and mathematicians, such as mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and chemist Xie Yi. Moinard and Pécout offer historical context about the discrimination and misogyny that have resulted in women being overlooked in the fields of science and math.