“An inspiring look at women who realized curiosity plus tenacity equals success.” —Kirkus Reviews
“[A] captivating compendium.” —Publishers Weekly

Discover the histories of twenty incredible female scientists in this inspiring biography collection from beloved author Martha Freeman and Google Doodler Katy Wu.

Why do galaxies spin the way they do?
What’s the best kind of house for a Komodo dragon?
Can you cure malaria with medicine made from a plant?

The scientists and mathematicians in Born Curious sought answers to these and many other fascinating questions. And it’s lucky for us they did. Without their vision, insight, and hard work, the world would be a sicker, dirtier, and more dangerous place.

The twenty groundbreaking women—including Rosalind Franklin, Marie Tharp, Shirley Anne Jackson, and more—came from all kinds of backgrounds and had all kinds of life experiences. Some grew up rich. Some grew up poor. Some were always the smartest kid in class. Some struggled to do well in school. But all had one thing in common: They were born curious. Are you curious, too? Read on.

"A collection of biographies of twenty groundbreaking women scientists who were curious kids and grew up to make incredible discoveries"--

Few of the women in this captivating compendium are household names: Joan Beauchamp Proctor “pioneered humane design for zoo habitats”; Tu Youyou, a pharmacologist, used traditional Chinese medicine to develop a treatment for malaria; and Ingrid Daubechies’s wavelet theory led to image compression technology. Freeman uses direct quotations and childhood anecdotes (of Daubechies: “The girl likes making doll clothes because she likes solving problems”) to convey character, an approach amplified by Wu’s stylized portraits, which incorporate references to each woman’s work (climate scientist Susan Solomon gazes over snowy mountaintops; a rat peers over neuroscientist May-Britt Moser’s book). Each scientist receives a dedicated chapter that closes with a quote, a “fascinating fact,” and an achievement summary, and Freeman’s afterword offers 13 lessons to be gleaned from their stories, notably: “be curious about science and everything else.” Supplemental materials include a glossary, sources, and index. Ages 7–12. (Feb.)