Kimberly Brown Pellum

This chapter book contains 15 biographies of African-American women who had dreams, worked hard, endured and then recovered from setbacks, and achieved astonishing things. Many are associated with aerospace: aviator Bessie Coleman, NASA computers and rocket scientists Katherine Johnson, Gladys West, and Annie Easley; and astronaut Mae Jemison. The storytelling is excellent, clearly written to provide middle-grade students with models of courage, persistence, and self-confidence. Each biography finishes with suggestions for how to learn more about each woman, and for activities designed to help kids develop independent skill and self-confidence. For GPS designer Gladys West, Pellum suggests the reader draw a map of their own neighborhood; for Margaret Strickland Collins (the first African-American woman entomologist) Pellum suggests the reader ask their family members about what their jobs are and what they like about what they do. The book ends with two biographies of two young scientists, born in the 1980s (Renee Gordon and Gina Presley), providing examples of what modern careers just coming into their maturity look like, to help kids visualize pathways toward the sometimes intimidating figures of modern heroes.… (más)

Black Women in Science is a wonderfully inspiring book! When a book begins with a dedication to the author’s mother (who made a difference in the world by teaching nurses), to the Foreword (a note about the author and how she became a veterinarian), to an Introduction in which the author imagines “a world of endless possibilities”, you know that the book is going to be an inspiration to anyone who reads it! It hasn’t even started, and the book, already, is full of hope and encouragement! The author encourages young girls to enter the world of science. This had traditionally been a field dominated by men. The author presents fifteen women important for their contributions to science in chronological order, and how each woman made a difference in the world. Beginning with Rebecca Lee Crumpler of the Civil War era, the author describes her struggles to enter New England Medical College and to become a physician. The author concludes her book with Gina Presley, a young woman born in 1985 who became a forensic scientist. The author concludes her book with an afterword challenging girls to undertake a science project, and then to consider entering the field of science for their life’s work.

Each story is well-written and seems to be especially geared to the fourth to sixth grader. A vibrant and colorful drawing of each woman is included. In the back of the book is a useful glossary explaining words that a young girl might find difficult.

This is a must-read for all girls. It reminds them that they can achieve their dreams, no matter what that is!… (más)