About This Book:
Discover the eye-opening story of the first woman student at MIT—a pioneering environmental chemist sure to inspire the next generation of female trailblazers in science.
Ellen Swallow found a friend in nature and a lifelong love of science as a child exploring the woods around her family’s home. She was a voracious learner with an interest in chemistry, and continuing her education at the newly established Massachusetts Institute of Technology seemed a good fit. But in 1871, many believed that women belonged in the home, not in schools dedicated to the study of science. Ellen thought, why not both? She believed science could help solve the problems of everyday life, including the pollution she observed in Boston, so when offered the chance to study the city’s water systems, she seized it. What she found would change the way we think about clean water. In her lifetime, Ellen pioneered science education for women, advocated for a healthier environment, and helped develop the field of ecology. The Girl Who Tested the Waters, with engaging text and soft, inviting illustrations, portrays a woman ahead of her time and her tireless efforts to bring about change for good. Curious readers can find more in the back matter, including a time line, an author’s note, source notes, and a bibliography.
*Review Contributed By Cherokee Crum, Staff Reviewer*
Inspiring and Empowering
The Girl Who Tested the Waters is an inspiring and empowering picture book biography for children, best suited for upper elementary and middle grade ages.
The illustrations are nice and simple. They depict what times were like back when Ellen Swallow was growing up, attending college, and the water she tirelessly analyzed.
The text is easy to understand and will leave an impression, especially on young girls who dream of becoming a scientist.
I loved all of the information packed into this short children’s book about all the wonderful things Ellen had done in her life, the things she created and inspired. While I don’t believe this book was meant to be emotional, for me it was in a way. Women are still told to this day that they don’t belong in certain fields, so it was great reading about a young women who persevered despite being told to study in a dank university basement, or who was born extra small but grew to be strong by being out in the natural world.
The back matter includes valuable resources if one would like to further their knowledge of Ellen Swallow and her life work.
This would be an excellent addition to elementary and middle school libraries
