SERIES: Creative Minds Biographies
AUTHOR: Candice F. Ransom
ILLUSTRATOR: Shelly O. Haas
PUBLISHER: Lerner Publishing Group
DATE OF PUBLICATION: January 1, 1993
FORMAT: Paperback, 64 pages
GENRE: Juvenile Non-fiction, Biography
ISBN: 978-0876146156
Rachel Carson combined her gift of writing with her love of nature to change how the world viewed DDT. Through commitment and persistence, she entered a world where few women tread. Carson provides an excellent role model for children to broaden their views on future careers.
MY REVIEW:
I read this non-fiction biography about Rachel Carson to my children.
Until I read this book, I had no idea who this remarkable
woman was! While she initially planned to major in literature to pursue her
dream to become a writer, the two mandatory science credits that she needed to
take to obtain her degree changed her plans. It was unheard of for a woman in
the 1920s to become a scientist. It just wasn’t proper! She was not swayed by
the opinions of others and did proceed to change her major. She ended up
graduating with a Master’s Degree in Marine Zoology from Johns Hopkins
University and found her dream job that united both of her loves: writing and
science. She wrote a series of radio broadcasts on the topic of marine biology.
Rachel’s first book, Under
the Sea-Wind, published in 1941 was about the sea from the point of view of
the creatures who inhabited it. Her second novel, The Sea Around Us, published in 1951 was an instant best-seller and
made her famous. Her success continued with her third book, The Edge of the Sea, published in 1955
which described the life and geology of the East Coast.
Against all advice, Rachel again listened to her heart when
she published Silent Spring in 1962.
It was a highly controversial book about the environmental effects of the use
of DDT and other chemical pesticides. Her book was the catalyst that resulted
in DDT and other chemicals being almost completely banned in the United States,
Canada, and other developed countries. She was not afraid of the public
backlash, and our world is a safer and healthier place because of her! Many farmers
now use natural enemies (usually other insects) to manage crop pests or
biodegradable insecticides.
This is a very informative, interesting, and inspiring
biography that is suitable for children ages 9-14. I highly recommend it!
MY RATING:
5 stars!! Highly recommended!
This book qualifies as:
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