Marine Biology: Cool Women Who Dive

by Karen Bush Gibson, Lena Chandhok (Illustrations)

Why is Earth called the Blue Planet? Because there’s so much water on the surface that the planet looks blue from outer space!

Marine biology is the study of the plant and animal life in salt water environments, from microscopic plankton to the largest animal on earth, the blue whale. In Marine Biology: Cool Women Who Dive readers ages 9 to 12 explore the careers of three women who work within the science of marine biology—Natalie Arnoldi, Ashanti Johnson, and Lauren Mullineaux.

Nomad Press books in the Girls in Science series supply a bridge between girls’ interests and their potential futures by investigating science careers and introducing women who have succeeded in science. Compelling stories of real-life scientists provide readers with role models that they can look toward for examples of success.

Marine Biology uses engaging content, links to primary sources, and essential questions to whet kids’ appetites for further exploration and study. This book explores the history of marine biology, the women who made key discoveries, and the multitude of varied careers in this exciting and important field. Marine Biology encourages both boys and girls to envision what lies beneath the miles of water that make up our planet.

112 pages, Hardcover

Published September 13, 2016

About the author

Karen Bush Gibson (also known as K.B. Gibson and Karen Gibson) has been writing, well, forever. She has written a little bit of everything, but got her start writing articles and features for magazines. Karen began writing children's nonfiction in 2001 with Capstone and loves bringing nonfiction to life for kids. Since then, she has worked with several publishers, including Chicago Review Press and Nomad Press. Karen has more than 30 books published (stopped counting at 30) and stays so busy that she's having trouble returning to her other love, mystery writing. "A Class on Murder" was released in 2012.

Reviews

[Stacy Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nonfiction text is another of the Girls in Science series; other include topics on forensics, aviation, engineering, and more. The information is laid out in a readable format and includes photographs, illustrations, call out boxes, and more. The “How to Use This Book” section at the beginning is especially helpful in explaining the different aspects introduced in this text. The “Ask and Answer” questions would help facilitate group or classroom discussions; they propose thought provoking questions without outright answering them for their readers. Many of the discussion points also offer extended interactions, such as QR codes to allow readers to further explore marine biology. While at first it seemed limiting, the author rightfully decided to include a QR Code Glossary at the end allowing non-smart phone users to look up each link online. Recommended for elementary and middle school non-fiction science collections.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book about marine biology and some of the women who broke the barriers to let women and minorities into the field. Though meant for children this book was so very informative and very interesting.

[Blaire Gruar · Rating 3 out of 5]

i loved this book

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Girls in Science series from Nomad Press has some wonderful titles. The book on marine biology features the biographies of three women from different careers within the field. Laura Mullineaux is senior scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Ashanti Johnson is a chemical oceanographer, and Natalie Arnoldi is a marine biologist. Those three profiles share details on how each woman developed an interest in the ocean and what led them to their career path. Along the way, other marine geologists, ichthyologists, and conservationists, are also spotlighted.

Before the biographies, the book discusses the importance of marine life. Cultures as far apart as Babylon, China, and the Inuits all have myths of sea deities and creatures. Aristotle wrote about marine biology in 352 B.C. and Charles Darwin wrote about coral reefs in 1842. All of these are predecessors of present day studies. Archival photos and images add to the information presented in the text. Readers can use the QR codes that link to online resources like NOAA's tour of the Aquarius, demonstrations by NASA marine scientists, and see Rachel Carson in the CBS program "Silent Spring."

With information about underwater robots, submersibles, and microbiologists, this book makes sure to show the wide variety of jobs and careers available under the umbrella of marine biology. Whether readers are already fascinated by the ocean or simply exploring a new interest, there is plenty for them to delve into among the text, timeline, glossary, and resource lists. A great addition to a STEM program, a unit on careers, or for use with a study of marine life.

I won a copy of the book in a giveaway sponsored by the publisher.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads. Loved. Very interesting book about science w/o being too teachy..... Love the idea of more women in these fields and just more scientists period.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool book to inspire girls into the field of science. Full of photos and illustrations.