A World of Her Own: 24 Amazing Women Explorers and Adventurers

by Michael Elsohn Ross

Overview

An inspiration for any young person who loves the outdoors, wildlife, or science, A World of Her Own tells the stories of 24 brave women from different cultures, epochs, and economic backgrounds who have shared similar missions: to meet the physical and mental challenges of exploring the natural world, to protect the environment and native cultures, and to leave a mark in the name of discovery. Among the many bold women profiled are Rosaly Lopes, who worked for NASA and discovered 71 volcanoes on one of Jupiter’s moons; Helen Thayer, the first woman to walk and ski the Magnetic North Pole accompanied by only her dog; Kay Cottee, the first woman to successfully sail nonstop around the world completely unassisted; and Anna Smith Peck, who set the record for the highest climb in the Western Hemisphere at the age of 58. These and other engaging profiles, based on both historical research and firsthand interviews, stress how childhood passions and interests, perseverance, and courage led these women to overcome challenges and break barriers to achieve great success in their adventurous pursuits and careers. A bibliography and annotated list of exploration resources and organizations make this an invaluable resource for young explorers, parents, and teachers alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781613744383
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/01/2014
Series:	Women of Action Series , #8
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.10(d)
Lexile:	1160L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Michael Elsohn Ross is a naturalist, science educator, and award-winning author of over 40 books for children, including Sandbox Scientist, Snug As a Bug, Rolypolyology, and Salvador Dalí and the Surrealists.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Women with Wanderlust vii

A President of Explorers Lorie Karnath ix

Part I Called By Mountains

A Woman Above Them All Annie Smith Peck 3

Where Passion Leads Rosaly Lopes 13

Climbing Sacred Mountains with a Humble Heart Constanza Ceruti 22

Reaching the Highest Summit Sophia Danenberg 31

Part II Seeking Nature

Picturing Nature Marianne North 43

Exploring Wildlife in the Rockies Martha Maxwell 53

In Pursuit of Unknown Flora Ynes Mexia 65

Life in the Treetops Margaret Lowman 72

Birding Across Continents Pamela Rasmussen 81

In Quest of Scaly, Slimy Creatures Kate Jackson 90

Vanishing Wildlife and Forgotten People Aparajita Datta 99

Part III Exploring the World's Waters

She Sets the Course Eleanor Creesy 111

Alone on the High Seas Kay Cottee 119

Into the Deep, Dark Sea Edie Widder 130

Rowing Along Cold Coasts Jill Fredston 140

Diving into the Dark Frontier Stephanie Schwabe 149

Part IV Long Treks

Health, Horses, Adventure Isabella Bird Bishop 161

Pedaling Around the World with Chutzpah Annie Kopchovsky "Londonderry" 170

The Long Walk Across America Helga Estby 179

A Fashionable Nomad Freya Stark 187

Seeking the Unknown Alexandra David-Néel 196

Facing Fear in the Far North Helen Thayer 207

Discoveries in Two Worlds Kira Salak 217

Acknowledgments 227

Resources 229

Notes 237

Bibliography 245

Index 253

Editorial Reviews

This book showcases women explorers from several continents and across two centuries. Just as varied as the subjects of their explorations are the range of life experiences that led these women to push against traditional boundaries and set them on the path toward discovery.” —Kate Jackson, assistant professor, Department of Biology, Whitman College


“A World of Her Own brilliantly conveys stories about women pioneers in science and exploration, many of whom not only rocked the cradle and kept house but also mastered a telescope, sextant, slingshot, artist canvas, ice axe, or plant press. This volume is bound to inspire many young women.” —Meg Lowman, director, Nature Research Center at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and research professor, North Carolina State University



"'Women of Action' series makes perfect addition to libraries in March." —Curriculum Review

“This book was compulsively readable and while the biographies found here are pretty short, they whetted my appetite to read more about these wonderful women! This would be a great book to introduce younger readers to some really amazing personalities!” —A Bookish Affair

“Girls 11 or 12 and up, especially those interested in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields, will find this clearly-penned book inspirational. In fact, all girls will enjoy these amazing true tales, especially if they love nature, animals, the environment and physical challenges.” —Arcamax

“A World of Her Own dramatically describes the stories of women showing great perseverance and strength, and it is a collection that will appeal to middle and high school audiences.” —Science Scope



“These are fascinating, well-told stories, sure to intrigue readers.” —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

12/01/2014
Gr 7–10—This addition certainly lives up to its series name. Naturalist and author Ross tells the stories of different women who stepped outside their comfort zones, overcame hardships, and earned advanced degrees all in order to explore nature, seek adventure, and find personal fulfillment. Divided into four parts—"Called by Mountains," "Seeking Nature," "Exploring the World's Water," and "Long Trek"—the book profiles women such as Sophia Danenberg, who summited Everest in 2006; Constanza Ceruti, who climbs mountains to visit high-elevation archaeological sites; Ynes Mexia, who traversed South America in the 1930s; and homemaker and mother Helga Estby, who with her daughter Clara walked across America in 1896. These are fascinating, well-told stories, sure to intrigue readers. Photographs are scattered throughout the text. A solid collection of inspiring individuals.—Patricia Ann Owens, formerly with Illinois Eastern Community Colls., Mt. Carmel

School Library Journal

2014-01-02
If only the writing lived up to the subject matter…. Twenty-four vignettes of intrepid true-life women—exploring, adventuring and risking their lives to live fully—are recounted in passive, confusing narratives. Disjointed thoughts plague many of the accounts: "At one point Sophia thought that she couldn't walk another step, but she only grew stronger." Troublesome undercurrents riffle others: "…and Eleanor's intelligence, courage, and grace set an example of what a woman could accomplish at sea." (Switch the gender and see how patronizing it sounds.) For a book about women, the influence of men infiltrates irritatingly. Most role models depicted, whether in the forms of parents, spouses or professors, are men. Professors, especially, proliferate since doctorates are earned by many of the women. And often earned, it seems, without much juggling of responsibilities or financial hardship. While many of the women profiled knew struggle in both childhood and adulthood, the flat tone of the writing keeps readers from engaging emotionally. All these women could be—are—wonderful role models, and their stories could inspire, if only they were told with more passion. The most inspiration is found in the resources, notes and bibliography sections of the backmatter. The book's overall tone—that of a laundry list of accomplishments—does a disservice to readers who deserve to relate to and be inspired by these remarkable women. (Collective biography. 10-17)

Kirkus Reviews