Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark - Hardcover

Lang, Heather

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807521876 ISBN 13: 9780807521878

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, 2016

Synopsis

Nominee:
2017 Amelia Bloomer List, Early Readers Nonfiction

Before Eugenie Clark's groundbreaking research, most people thought sharks were vicious, blood-thirsty killers. From the first time she saw a shark in an aquarium, Japanese-American Eugenie was enthralled. Instead of frightening and ferocious eating machines, she saw sleek, graceful fish gliding through the water. After she became a scientist—an unexpected career path for a woman in the 1940s—she began taking research dives and training sharks, earning her the nickname "The Shark Lady."

About this title

About the Author

Heather Lang loves to research and write about real women who overcame extraordinary obstacles and never gave up on their dreams. Her picture book biographies include, Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark, Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine, The Original Cowgirl: The Wild Adventures of Lucille Mulhall, and Queen of the Track: Alice Coachman, Olympic High-Jump Champion. Heather also writes web articles for the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance. When she is not writing, she loves to go on adventures with her husband and four children. Visit Heather at heatherlangbooks.com.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—This engaging and richly illustrated picture book biography depicts scientist Eugenie Clark's groundbreaking work with sharks. Using clear, kid-friendly prose with just the right amount of scientific detail, Lang introduces readers to Clark as a young child transfixed by sharks at the New York Aquarium. Focused on becoming an ichthyologist (a fish scientist) and undeterred by the lack of women in her field, Clark took every relevant class available, earning a master's degree in zoology. Soon, the ocean was her classroom, and as she explored the underwater world, she collected and observed as much data as she could. In 1955, Clark opened the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Florida, where her work with sharks developed even further, earning her the nickname "Shark Lady." Lang's wonder-filled narrative makes for an inspiring tale of a successful female scientist, with a decided emphasis on her successes. An author's note mentions some discrimination Clark faced as a woman and a Japanese American. However, this is not addressed in the main text. Nevertheless, students will enjoy this account of a scientist's close work with such fearsome creatures. Solano's gorgeous illustrations, done in a soothing, muted palette of greens and blues, suggest the ocean and enhance this selection's appeal. VERDICT An excellent addition to any collection, particularly those looking to expand their stories of women in STEM.—Kristy Pasquariello, Wellesley Free Library, MA

About this edition

• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0807521876
• ISBN 13: 9780807521878
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Solano Jordi