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Marie Curie and the Discovery of Radium
This series introduces young, inquisitive readers to four of the world's greatest science thinkers and the challenges that faced them. Their achievements, which came through personal dedication and sacrifice, have made profound changes in the world. A truly inspiring gift. Here is the story of the brilliant woman of science who unveiled the mysteries of the element radium. Her discovery pioneered exciting research in the field of radioactivity.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 30, 2016
This book is an incredible read for all ages. In less than 200 pages the author has managed to condense the life and success of Marie Curie up until her last days. Definitely recommend to anyone who wants to learn a bit about her life.
July 3, 2013
Good nonfiction bio for middle school students.
October 14, 2015
I thought this book explaining Marie Curies life was very interesting. I didn't want this interesting story to end...I Loved this book!!!
December 30, 2022
The perfect biography for middle grade readers, this is short and concise but also contains enough detail to provide an informed look into Marie Curie's life and achievements.
Like so many women of her time, she struggled for recognition. Thankfully her husband Pierre ensured that she also was put forward for the Nobel Prize for their work on radium.
I always found it so sad that until much later in life, Marie did not realise that her work was making her so ill. An interesting fact from this book was that from 1897 to 1900, the Curies kept all their notes on radium in three notebooks and that even today these notebooks remain locked away as they are too radioactive for anyone to handle.
Like so many women of her time, she struggled for recognition. Thankfully her husband Pierre ensured that she also was put forward for the Nobel Prize for their work on radium.
I always found it so sad that until much later in life, Marie did not realise that her work was making her so ill. An interesting fact from this book was that from 1897 to 1900, the Curies kept all their notes on radium in three notebooks and that even today these notebooks remain locked away as they are too radioactive for anyone to handle.
July 16, 2019
I liked that is was all history and factual. I really liked that she figured out how to educate herself, when it wasn't allowed. It was cool that became a mother... and also sad that she died from her work.
November 3, 2018
A good book about the life of Marie Curie. Really learned about more from her personal life than just her life told from a history book!
May 1, 2023
I read this with my 8th grader for his science class. It was a very interesting read!
March 18, 2017
I read this for homeschooling. I didn't find it particularly interesting, but it's pretty cool how the author managed to squeeze such a full life down into such a small number of pages.
July 31, 2021
3.5 Stars
"Her life was her work, and her work was her life!"
Unlike the other book I read in this series about Einstein, this one explained the science behind our scientist in a much more understandable way. I believe the book was also written more simply, maybe even would be better read at a middle school level, whereas Einstein would be upper middle school, early highschool?
I found Marie Curie a fascinating woman! I know she is well known for her scientific mind and tenacity, but she was a devout wife and mother. I don't know how she managed to balance both and be so involved in her work. Her love for Poland was so heart-wrenching and beautiful and I just came to the simple conclusion that Mrs. Curie would have been a delightful woman to know. Her frugality inspires me and her simple living for a purpose was just awe-mazing.
"'In criminal hands radium might become very dangerous. We might ask ourselves if humanity has anything to gain by learning the secrets of nature. Powerful explisves have permitted men to perform admirable work. They are also a terrible means of destruction in the hands of the great criminals who lead the peoples towards war.' - Pierre Curie."
3.5 because I wish it was a little more in depth. I got a good picture of this amazing woman, **but it still left me hungry and not as satisfied.**
ETA- the more I think on this, isn't that what a good book does? Especially since this is complete enough that someone who needs a good introduction to Curie will have what they need. So, I think I was a bit unfair in that remark.
"Her life was her work, and her work was her life!"
Unlike the other book I read in this series about Einstein, this one explained the science behind our scientist in a much more understandable way. I believe the book was also written more simply, maybe even would be better read at a middle school level, whereas Einstein would be upper middle school, early highschool?
I found Marie Curie a fascinating woman! I know she is well known for her scientific mind and tenacity, but she was a devout wife and mother. I don't know how she managed to balance both and be so involved in her work. Her love for Poland was so heart-wrenching and beautiful and I just came to the simple conclusion that Mrs. Curie would have been a delightful woman to know. Her frugality inspires me and her simple living for a purpose was just awe-mazing.
"'In criminal hands radium might become very dangerous. We might ask ourselves if humanity has anything to gain by learning the secrets of nature. Powerful explisves have permitted men to perform admirable work. They are also a terrible means of destruction in the hands of the great criminals who lead the peoples towards war.' - Pierre Curie."
3.5 because I wish it was a little more in depth. I got a good picture of this amazing woman, **but it still left me hungry and not as satisfied.**
ETA- the more I think on this, isn't that what a good book does? Especially since this is complete enough that someone who needs a good introduction to Curie will have what they need. So, I think I was a bit unfair in that remark.
April 22, 2011
i might have bought this book quite awhile ago...and have read chapters...but i read the whole thing today. we have been talking about radioactivity and nuclear decay in science and her name continued to come up. she is an amazing person. she lived til the age of 66 despite her work with radiation. she won two nobel prizes in her lifetime and was a contemporary of einstein and rodin. but, never took a patent out to make money from her work. AMAZING!
December 11, 2008
I really loved this book because not only did I get to learn a lot about a famous scientist, I also got to see other sides of her and learn little facts that not many people know about. She was also the first woman to win a nobel prize, and she did many things for women that are very commendable. What a great role model!
December 22, 2009
This book was annoying because I could only read it one chapter at a time as part of school, but it was really really good. It didn't just show the discovery of radium. I learned a lot about her history except it made it interesting for children.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews