5 stars
An excellent read filled with remarkable women. Engaging, inspiring, and beautiful in its presentation.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the range of sciences included. Aviation, nutrition, psychology, entomology, neurosurgery, and engineering are just a few of the many types of STEM fields discussed in this book. It was also great to have a mix of entries from both the past and the present. One would expect to find Mae Jemison and Katherine Johnson in a collection of this sort, but it also features potentially lesser known entries such as Flemmie Pansy Kittrell, Jane Cooke Wright, and Gladys West. It was also interesting to read about how black women are continuing to further science today with entries for Gina Presley and Renee Gordon.
While many other recent collections of a similar nature are nice in their presentation of a one-to-two page spread on each person, I liked that this book gave a fuller look into each person’s life. Each entry is set up as a short chapter, ranging from 5 to 10 pages. This allowed for a lot of information while still being manageable for young readers. Time is also spent on the person’s other interests besides what they are most known for. This helped humanize the historical figures presented and helped show how passions can turn into careers or lifelong practices. Each entry has a wonderful full-page illustration of the person as well.
At the end of each entry are sections to “Explore More” and “Tips for You”, which give suggested activities and resources to connect the reader with what they just read. A glossary of terms is also included and there is a section provided for readers to take notes if they choose.
This was a fantastic read. Great for kids who want to learn more about different types of science and the various ways black women have had an impact on these fields. There is an emphasis on what these women have had to overcome whether due to blatant racism, unfair laws and rules, or lack of access to resources and how they persevered with creative problem solving, determination, and bravery.
A wonderful collection, giving a glimpse into a few of the black women who have advanced science and technology. It would be impossible for one collection to include all of the ways black women have furthered STEM fields, but this is a great place to start.