Marie Curie and Radioactivity

by Jordi Bayarri Dolz Narrated by Book Buddy Digital Media

Overview

At the start of the twentieth century, Marie Curie, a Polish physicist and chemist, stunned the scientific world. Her research led to the discovery of two elements, polonium and radium. She also examined the most unusual property of these elements: radioactivity. This graphic biography follows Curie from her early life in Poland to her scientific education in France. It also spotlights her work with Pierre Curie and her efforts to treat wounded soldiers during World War I.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"[A]n intriguing peek into an extraordinary mind."—Booklist

School Library Journal

04/01/2020

Gr 5–8—Familiar names in science are the focus of these graphic biographies, but what differentiates these from other series is the level of detail that is included about the scientific discoveries and work of the subject. Each title not only provides information about their lives, but then takes a deep dive into concepts such as the theory of relativity or the discovery of radiation. Colorful artwork with varying panel size keeps the narrative moving at a pretty good pace and balances the heavy science information with a story arc. Sophisticated vocabulary and advanced concepts make these a better choice for upper elementary and middle school students. VERDICT The graphic format will make these instantly appealing to a large swath of readers and are worthy additions to most collections.

Kirkus Reviews

2019-10-09
A highlights reel of the great scientist's life and achievements, from clandestine early schooling to the founding of Warsaw's Radium Institute.

In big sequential panels Bayarri dashes through Curie's career, barely pausing at significant moments ("Mother! A letter just arrived. It's from Sweden," announces young Irène. "Oh, really?…They're awarding me another Nobel!") in a seeming rush to cover her youth, family life, discoveries, World War I work, and later achievements (with only a closing timeline noting her death, of "aplastic anemia"). Button-eyed but recognizable figures in the panels pour out lecture-ish dialogue. This is well stocked with names and scientific terms but offered with little or no context—characteristics shared by co-published profiles on Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity ("You and your thought experiments, Albert!" "We love it! The other day, Schrödinger thought up one about a cat"), Charles Darwin and the Theory of Evolution, and Isaac Newton and the Laws of Motion. Dark-skinned Tierra del Fuegans make appearances in Darwin, prompting the young naturalist to express his strong anti-slavery views; otherwise the cast is white throughout the series. Engagingly informal as the art and general tone of the narratives are, the books will likely find younger readers struggling to keep up, but kids already exposed to the names and at least some of the concepts will find these imports, translated from the Basque, helpful if, at times, dry overviews.

Together with its companions, too rushed to be first introductions but suitable as second ones. (glossary, index, resource list) (Graphic biography. 7-9)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178328224
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/01/2023
Series:	Graphic Science Biographies
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

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