Review: Virginia Wouldn't Slow Down

Virginia Wouldn't Slow Down!: The Unstoppable Dr. Apgar and her Life-Saving Invention
Written by Carrie A. Pearson
Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

New York: Norton Young Readers, 2023. Informational.

Born in 1909, Virginia Apgar wouldn't conform to what girls were expected to do. She was loud, played sports, wore what she wanted, and pursued an atypical career, becoming the second board-certified female anesthesiologist in the United States. Virginia excelled at her job--she worked hard, was a keen observer and teacher, and she used those skills to create a simple method for quickly evaluating the health of newborn babies that is still in use. The Apgar Score continues to save infant lives to this day.

Virginia was so fun to learn about. I love a rebel gal, braving the judgement of a society stuck in its antiquated gender roles. Virginia had a confidence and competence I envy, and she used both to make a change so epic to health care that it's still the standard today and has saved countless lives. Virginia makes me want to find my talents and passions and change the world! If you like learning about lesser known world changers, I highly recommend Virginia Wouldn't Slow Down!

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