March 15, 2022
Encourages readers to appreciate the animal world and those who study it. Pagel-Hogan profiles 15 women making a meaningful impact on wildlife. The message of the book is clear: However difficult the path may be for women in STEM, there are role models leading the way and encouraging teens to pursue the same paths. Organized into broad sections by the type of animal life in question--birds, arthropods, sea creatures, reptiles and amphibians, and mammals--each chapter gives context through the lens of one particular woman. The book notes gender and racial biases they have faced as well as their activism. The subjects come from countries including the United States, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, England, India, and Hungary. One thing they all share is a love for nature and a desire for positive change, and their passion shines through on the pages. The book highlights its subjects in a relatable way by covering both their personal and professional struggles and accomplishments, which will be motivating and empowering to teens; their social media handles are included so that readers can continue to follow their activities. The language of the book is accessible, employing an engaging narrative style while interspersing additional relevant information on topics such as Black Birders Week, a Wikibomb to address gender imbalances in Wikipedia, threats to wildlife species, and more. Engaging and inspiring profiles of women wildlife heroes. (resources, notes) (Nonfiction. 12-18)
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April 15, 2022
Grades 5-8 Explore the natural world with 15 fascinating female scientists. The book is divided into sections about specific specialities, delving into profiles of these contemporary scientists working with widely known mammals, birds, and sea creatures but also reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods, covering an impressive variety of unusual critters. The scientists themselves come from various countries and backgrounds, and each entry offers details of their education, work, and ongoing projects in conservation and outreach. The writing is casual and conversational, sharing humorous anecdotes and driving passions along more sobering realities of the work, including inclement weather, sexual harassment, and a dearth of female mentorship. Each profile concludes with social media handles and website links, and helpful endnotes provide simple and immediate actions for inspired readers to take. Shaded text boxes also enhance each chapter with historical context, brief related bios, and other scientific tidbits. Most excitingly, this makes it wonderfully evident that endless mysteries remain about the natural world, and there's no doubt that these stories will inspire many a young reader to follow their animal interests into a future career.
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