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144 pp.
| Simon/Aladdin
| May, 2021
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-6331-8$18.99
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5344-6330-1$6.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5344-6332-5$6.99
(3)
4-6
Discovering History's Heroes series.
In 1889, Susan La Flesche became the first Native American to earn a medical degree. Born and raised in the Omaha tribe, she used her education to doctor her people, to improve public health, and to advocate for her tribe's land rights. This well-written biography uses short, declarative sentences and plenty of context to help readers understand La Flesche's pathbreaking accomplishments and includes numerous quotes from the subject's letters to convey a sense of her personality (lack of any archival photos is unfortunate). The text ends with a glossary and bibliography.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Alleanna Harris.
At age six, Patricia Bath (1942–2019) declared: "I want to be a doctor!" Though she faced obstacles because of her gender, race, and socioeconomic status, she succeeded, breaking boundaries in many arenas including becoming the first African American female doctor granted a medical patent. Quotes from Dr. Bath appear throughout, and colorful digital illustrations reflect her curiosity and compassion. Reading list, timeline. Bib.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Julianna Swaney.
This enlightening and inspiring biography highlights Dr. Sara Josephine Baker's work with impoverished women and children in turn-of-the-twentieth-century Hell's Kitchen. Dr. Jo's public-health breakthroughs included heatstroke-safe infant clothes, antibacterial eye drops to prevent blindness, and training requirements for midwives. Swaney's watercolor, gouache, and colored-pencil illustrations contribute both context and emotion. "More about Dr. Jo" is appended. Bib.
(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Great Scientists and Inventors series.
These books provide cursory introductions to men and women who have made contributions to the scientific world. The brief texts deal with the subjects' early years, work, and legacies. Large archival photographs (mostly grainy portraits and poorly reproduced documents) accompany the simple narratives but do not add much visual interest for budding scientists. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Great Scientists and Inventors titles: Albert Einstein, Elizabeth Blackwell, and Rachel Carson.
229 pp.
| Chicago
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-61373-437-7$19.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-61373-440-7
(3)
YA
Women of Action series.
After an intimate foreword by a female medical resident, engaging profiles of (mainly American) women in medicine are divided among three sections: pioneers who received formal medical training in the nineteenth century, important contributors to twentieth-century medicine, and current practitioners. Each bio emphasizes personal strengths and triumphs over adversities and ends with suggested resources. Historical photographs portray the women at work. Bib., ind.
(3)
4-6
Women in STEM series.
Each volume includes descriptions of careers women have pursued within broad scientific fields; bios of historic pioneers, contemporary industry superstars, and regular people; and profiles of programs for girls in STEM. Copious photographs of women and girls involved in scientific pursuits are included, along with direct quotes from the profiled scientists; nonfiction literacy activities and prompts connect to the Common Core. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Women in STEM titles: Women in Computer Science, Women in Earth and Space Exploration, Women in Engineering, cf2]Women in Medicine, Women in Conservation, and Women in Physical Science.
128 pp.
| Clarion
| December, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-82183-2$18.99
(1)
4-6
Murphy tells the story of the medical team in the 1940s that solved the problem of "Blue baby syndrome"--Dr. Alfred Blalock; pediatrician Helen Taussig (a woman in a male-dominated field); and Vivien Thomas, Blalock's African American lab assistant, who developed and refined the surgical procedure. The synthesis of their stories is illuminating, serving also as social commentary on the times. Numerous black-and-white photographs are included. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2015
32 pp.
| Whitman
| April, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-4990-2$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Carlo Molinari.
Born in 1832, Mary Walker was way ahead of her time, wearing trousers and becoming a physician, suffragist, Civil War hero, and Medal of Honor–recipient, facing criticism at every turn. The text is informative but conveys little of Walker's emotions and resolve or the passion of her detractors. Molinari's illustrations give a sanitized view of the era. An author's note adds details.
40 pp.
| Holt/Ottaviano
| February, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9048-2$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Marjorie Priceman.
Doctor Elizabeth Blackwell's early life is outlined in trim conversational prose in this lively picture-book treatment. A choice handful of biographical elements are arranged artfully to develop Blackwell's character within the expectations and challenges of her time. Priceman's gouache illustrations lend a perfect framework of energy and pacing to the text and draw upon its provocative and often humorous tone. Bib.
Reviewer: Nina Lindsay
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2013
32 pp.
| ABDO
| August, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-61783-448-6$18.95
(4)
4-6
Checkerboard Biography Library: Women in Science series.
Beginning with a brief introduction and summary of accomplishments, each blandly written title presents a chronological biography of an influential female scientist. Captioned archival and stock photographs complement the superficial if accessible texts; challenges and controversies as well as successes are included. Reluctant readers may benefit from the high-interest, low-vocabulary approach. A follow-up activity encourages further study. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Biography Library: Women in Science titles: Rachel Carson, Joanne Simpson, Mae Jemison, and Antonia Novello.
266 pp.
| HarperTeen
| April, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-144887-4$16.99
(3)
YA
To accomplish her dream of becoming a doctor in fourteenth-century Bologna, Alessandra Giliani must escape her domineering stepmother, disguise herself as a boy, and survive in a dangerous academic world controlled by men. With careful attention to the details of the time period, Quick weaves a romantic and tragic story of the world's first female anatomist. An author's note helps separate fact from fiction.
48 pp.
| KidHaven
| December, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7377-4565-8$28.25
(4)
4-6
Innovators series.
Zuckerberg focuses on the Facebook inventor's youth while Greiner and Taylor highlight the contributions of women in engineering and medical research. Though the texts are accessible, the information (especially statistics) will quickly be outdated. Stock photos of varying relevance illustrate the texts. Taylor includes a reading list. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Innovators titles: Doris Taylor, Helen Greiner, and Mark Zuckerberg.
128 pp.
| Morgan
| March, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59935-028-8$27.95
(4)
YA
Social Critics and Reformers series.
This history-rich biography profiles Walker, who faced unrelenting sexism as a doctor for the Union army during the Civil War. After the war, she became the first woman to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor. Joinson skimps on character-illuminating details--where Walker lived, who her friends were--but is generous with anecdotes. Archival photos and color reproductions appear throughout. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.
32 pp.
| Eerdmans
| September, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-8028-5280-7$17.00
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ronald Himler.
It's a snowy Christmas in 1880, and the narrator's mother, a doctor, is called away by their neighbors to deliver a baby. The narrator is disappointed to miss Christmas morning but witnesses the importance of her mother's work and helps create Christmas for the prairie community. This sentimental tale is appropriately illustrated with soft, shadowy pencil and watercolor art.
48 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| August, 2000
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-1854-2$$21.90
(4)
K-3
Gateway Biography series.
This able recitation of Elizabeth Blackwell's life includes boxed sidebars with information on nineteenth-century social conditions. However, the drama of the unexpected, unanimous student vote accepting her at the Geneva Medical College and her role in establishing medical treatment by and for women never come to life. The book's black-and-white photos and archival drawings are well chosen; a time line is included. Bib., ind.
64 pp.
| Chelsea
| February, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 0-7910-5143-9$$16.95
(4)
4-6
Female Firsts in Their Fields series.
Accompanied by poorly reproduced black-and-white photos in an uninspired design, each of these volumes profiles the professional accomplishments of six pioneering women. The books don't discuss their subjects' personal lives in any depth, but they do address issues such as how individuals have made decisions about career, marriage, and/or family. This series offers a general history of women entering traditionally male-dominated professions. Bib., ind.
160 pp.
| Oliver
| September, 1998
|
LibraryISBN 1-881508-46-3$$16.95
(4)
YA
Profiles series.
With interesting anecdotes, clearly written profiles describe the gender and racial discrimination and personal challenges faced by eight women in their quests to be physicians, along with the intelligence, energy, and determination that were key in achieving their goals. Dark black-and-white photos and reproductions are not always relevant or clearly captioned but won't deter interested readers. Bib., ind.