Books
Kids Nonfiction
Sisters in Science: Marie Curie, Bronia Dluska, and the Atomic Power of Sisterhood

Sisters in Science: Marie Curie, Bronia Dluska, and the Atomic Power of Sisterhood

4.3

0.0 (0)

589 0

Write Review Add to favorites

Sisters in Science: Marie Curie, Bronia Dluska, and the Atomic Power of Sisterhood

Author(s)

Linda Elovitz Marshall

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Anna and Elena Balbusso

Publisher

Knopf Books for Young Readers

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

February 14, 2023

ISBN

978-0593377581

Buy This Book

Discover the fascinating true story of Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie and her sister Bronia, two trailblazing women who worked together and made a legendary impact on chemistry and health care as we know it.

Marie Curie has long been a well-known name around the world. Though Marie made extraordinary scientific advances discovering new elements with her husband, Pierre, many students do not know about the powerful bond that propelled her into science: her sisterhood with Bronia! A force in academia and health care herself, Bronia made significant contributions to the scientific world, along with her loving support of sister Marie.

Sisters in Science is a compelling biography of two sisters who created their own paths while keeping the atomic bonds of sisterhood strong.

Editor review

1 review

Sisterly Support in Science

March 11, 2023

Overall rating

4.3

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Learning Value

4.0

Maria and Bronia grew up in Poland at a time when women did not have many opportunities to pursue higher education, but were fortunate to have a father who supported their desire to study science after the death of their mother and sister. Bronia wants to become a doctor, and Marie wanted to become a researcher. They taught themselves and made a pact to help support each other while they studied at the Sorbonne. Bronia studied while Marie worked as a tutor, but when Bronia graduated, Marie wanted to stay in Poland, but Bronia reminded her of their goals. Maria did well in Paris, studying physics, chemistry, and math. Eventually, Marie married coworker Pierre Curie, and stayed in Paris while her sister returned to Poland to take care of their father. The Curies discovered and worked with radioactivity, and Bronia opened a hospital, and when the Curies won a Nobel Prize for their work, some of the prize money was given to help Bronia's hospital. When World War I breaks out, the sisters are both able to help out thousands of soldiers thanks to their scientific training, which was only possible because of the strong family bond that helped them support each other.

Good Points

Biographies are a great way to get a feel for life in earlier times, and young readers will see through Marie and Bronia's life how things were different for young women in the late 1800s and early 1900s. While the text of the book gives a brief overview of what the two women accomplished, there is a good timeline of their lives at the back. It would have been nice to have stated the year at the beginning of the book, but the pictures of old fashioned clothing will let readers know that these were not contemporary individuals.

The Balbusso twins illustrations are very attractive, and contain plenty of details that place them at an earlies point of time. There are fun additions, like the lace patterns on the women's collars that mimic atoms! Scientific motifs are used as overlays throughout the book with good effect.

This is a great addition to the library of any young feminist who is being encouraged to pursue scientific studies! Shelve this alongside Pelham's Black Women in Science, Skeers' Dinosaur Lady, Keating's Shark Lady, and Allary's The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell.