Review Detail

A children's biography of Ruth Patrick, a pioneer in ecology and pollution studies who pursued a career studying what she loved despite long hours of learning, overcoming peer pressure, and traipsing through marshes.

Perhaps I shouldn't admit this, as someone with a partial degree in environmental science, but I'm not sure that I knew much about Ruth Patrick before. One of the first advocates of biodiversity and anti-pollution? That's big stuff. This book shows the evolution of her childhood curiosity into a lifelong passion in a way that's inspiring to kids and adults who might wonder if it's worth pursuing their own interests and dreams.

I also appreciate how the story doesn't stop with Ruth's discoveries. An important part of being a researcher or innovator is what happens next, the public outreach and education.

The text is a little small, so bring your spectacles.