Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World

A biography of the pioneering scientist and environmentalist, Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring.

＂Once you are aware of the wonder and beauty of earth, you will want to learn about it,＂ wrote Rachel Carson.

Determined and curious even as a child, Rachel Carson’s fascination with the natural world led her to study biology, and pursue a career in science at a time when very few women worked in the field.

This lyrical, illustrated biography follows Carson’s journey--from a girl exploring the woods, to a woman working to help support her family during the Great Depression, to a journalist and pioneering researcher, investigating and exposing the harmful effects of pesticide overuse.

Best known for writing Silent Spring, Rachel Carson was a major figure in the early environmental movement, and her work brought a greater understanding of the impact humans have on our planet. Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World offers a glimpse at the early life that shaped her interest in nature, and the way one person’s determination can inspire others to fight for real change.

An author’s note delves into how Silent Spring helped shape the modern environmental movement and inspired a generation of readers to get involved in conservation.

Detailed source notes and a list of recommended reading are included.

A National Sciencce Teachers Association Outstanding Science Trade Book
A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year

Laurie Lawlor’s books have appeared on many notable lists, including the ALA Notable Children’s Books, the ALA Best Books for Young Adults, and the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. Her Muddy as a Duck Puddle and Other American Similes was an IRA Teacher’s Choice. She lives and teaches in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Laura Beingessner is the illustrator of several books for children, including Our Corner Grocery Store by Joanne Schwartz, which received a starred review from School Library Journal, and If the Shoe Fits by Laura Whipple, winner of the William Allen White Children’s Book Award. She lives in Toronto, Canada.