Skip to main content

Review: Force of Nature

Image
By
Written by Ann E. Burg
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 278 pages.

This lovely novel in verse follows the life of Rachel Carson during her childhood, her youth, as a student in college, and as she grows into her dream career as a scientist. Rachel loves writing, being in nature, and is an incredibly curious child! As she explores her world, Rachel’s mother is a great guide who is happy that her daughter loves many of the same things that she does. The flip side is that her mother places a lot of her hopes and dreams on Rachel’s success and this is sometimes a heavy burden for her to carry. 

Rachel struggles to find her place in a world where only men are viewed as scientists. Women who want to be involved in science are only considered for teaching positions. This is frustrating to Rachel, and she refuses to accept the status quo. Throughout this informative novel, Rachel continues to foster her love of writing, reading, nature, and science, while persistently trying to solve the problem of how she can be accepted in the world of science.  

A unique finishing touch to this novel are the illustrations by Sophie Blackall. Known for her award-winning work in more than 50 children’s books, the illustrations in this book were inspired by Rachel Carson’s science journals.

I loved this book and would recommend it for anyone interested in science and nature, as well as those who want to feel inspired by a young woman who is relentless in her pursuit to accomplish her goals. 

Labels:

Comments

Ann E, Burg said…
Thank you for this lovely review. Writing about Rachel reminded me how beautiful the world is and how important it is for us to take care of her! Again thank you your kind words! Have a wonderful summer!💕
July 8, 2024 at 9:12 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

By
If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.
Post a Comment
Read more

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin

By loo
Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin Illustrated by Leslie Evans Charlesburg; 2009; unpaged Faces of the Moon is a short nonfiction book that describes the different phases of the moon and why the moon appears like it does on certain nights. This book is short and sweet so even the youngest of moon lovers will enjoy it. The layout is simplistic and easy to follow. I don’t know much about the moon so I found it very interesting.
Post a Comment
Read more

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

By Anonymous
J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.
Post a Comment
Read more