Back of Book:
Sophie Kowalevski was both a brilliant mathematician and a talented writer. Creative work nurtured her mathematical research, giving her a flexibility of thought she treasured. A wonderful STEAM figure, she not only did mathematical research, but she also created many literary works. This inspiring title tells the story of Sophie’s journey as the first woman to receive a doctorate in mathematics, which required original research, holding a university chair in mathematics, and becoming the editor of a major scientific journal.
My Review:
I received a copy of this picture book from Creston Books in exchange for an honest review.
Laurie Wallmark has a gift of writing strong women from history who changed aspects of math and science. In a world where women were supposed to stay quiet and unnoticed, Sophie decided to stand out. As a child, her thirst for understanding was more important than learning how to be a normal girl. When she was a teenager she taught herself physics using a neighbors textbook. Sophie would continue to pursue learning mathematics despite assumptions about women not being as intelligent as men. Sophie would continue to fight until she successfully earned a doctorate in mathematics. Laurie took the complex subject of mathematics and weaved together. The illustrations by Yevgenia Nayberg are incredible. I love the way she blended the math equations with the rest of the pictures. The back of the book shares more information about Sophie and the amazing equations she solved.
a beautiful look at one woman’s relentless journey for knowledge that opened the doors for generations of women to continue the pursuit of science and math.
Ages 8 and up
32 Pages
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