Book reviews by Jiya Kaur

The cover of a children's nonfiction book about Marie Curie.

Something Out of Nothing: Marie Curie and Radium by Carla Killough McClafferty, St Martins PR (USA), ISBN 9780374371227

REVIEWED BY JIYA KAUR, 10, USA

Jiya Kaur reviewed her own copy of this book.

Something Out of Nothing teaches readers about Marie Curie, a marvelous scientist who discovered Radium and Polonium. Born as Manya Sklodowska on November 7th, 1867, she would soon grow up to become one of the world’s most revered scientists. She went from a poor Polish girl who worked as a governess, to the first woman and Polish person to ever win a Nobel Prize. This book will take you through the heartbreaking and hopeful journey of Marie Curie.

My favourite chapter in this book is when Marie starts to work as a governess to help her sister Bronya pay for college. They create an agreement to help the other pay for college, working in their motherland, Poland, until the other can pay to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. When Marie first arrives in France, she feels free and carefree. I like the quote “All that I saw and learned that was new delighted me. It was like a new world opened to me.” I love this quote because Marie feels free, joyous, and can’t wait to get started in the beautiful city she would soon call home.

I believe that readers ages 9 to 11 will enjoy this book. I would rate it 10/10 stars. I think this book is very emotional, so readers might prefer other reads if they want something continuously delightful and carefree.

Readers who love books about science, or the I Survived series will love this book. In all, Something Out of Nothing is a fabulous book by Carla Killough McClafferty that will teach readers about an exceptional scientist: Marie Curie.

Jiya Kaur is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read her earlier reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

The cover of a children's nonfiction book about women scientists

Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories by Kate Pankhurst, Bloomsbury Publishing, ISBN 9781526615336

REVIEWED BY JIYA KAUR, 10, USA

Jiya Kaur reviewed her own copy of this book.

Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories by Kate Pankhurst is a book that teaches the reader about extraordinary female scientists. Some of them include Marie Curie, Mae Jemison, and Rosalind Franklin. This book explores the challenges they faced, and also teaches you other things about their life; what they dreamed of as a kid, their inspiration, and more. This book is excellent because it shares surprising facts and motivational stories about legendary women.

My favorite chapter in this book is about Caroline Herschel, a terrific astronomer. She worked as a maid at home, until her brother brought her to his own house, where she became a soprano singer. When her brother shifted his focus to astronomy, she did too.

Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories is a stellar book that teaches you that anyone can do anything, and to follow your dreams. I recommend it for anyone ages seven to ten, and I rate it five out of five stars. This book is inspirational, and it also reminds us that the most extraordinary people overcome difficult obstacles. All these women were really amazing, so take up the chance to learn about them.

This is Jiya Kaur’s second review for Alphabet Soup. You can read her review of When You Reach Me here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Category: Book reviews by Jiya Kaur

Book review: Something Out of Nothing

Book review: Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories