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Children's Nonfiction Women

Emmy Noether

The Most Important Mathematician You've Never Heard Of

by (author) Helaine Becker

illustrated by Kari Rust

Publisher
Kids Can Press
Initial publish date
Oct 2020
Category
Women, Prejudice & Racism, General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781525300592
    Publish Date
    Oct 2020
    List Price
    $19.99

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Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 6 to 9
  • Grade: 1 to 4
  • Reading age: 6 to 9

Description

In this engaging and inspiring biography, a groundbreaking but relatively unknown woman finally gets her due as one of the most influential mathematicians of the twentieth century.

Emmy Noether is not pretty, quiet, good at housework or eager to marry --- all the things a German girl is expected to be in her time. What she is, though, is a genius at math. When she grows up, she finds a way to first study math at a university (by sitting in, not actually enrolling) and then to teach it (by doing so for free). She also manages to do her own research into some of the most pressing math and physics problems of the day. And though she doesn't get much credit during her lifetime, her discoveries continue to influence how we understand the world today.

Bestselling and award-winning Helaine Becker has crafted an engaging look at the life of Emmy Noether, a contemporary of Einstein's and one of the most influential, though little known, mathematicians of the twentieth century. Despite the obstacles she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and as a Jew who had to flee the Nazis, Emmy still accomplished a great deal. Artwork by Kari Rust uses touches of humor for emphasis and a golden glowing effect around Emmy to visually express her brilliance and ideas. Back matter includes a biographical note, explanations of complex mathematical concepts and suggestions for further reading. There are curriculum links to physics and mathematics --- subjects portrayed here as fascinating and exciting --- and poignant real-life character education lessons on courage and perseverance.

About the authors

 

Helaine Becker
est l'auteure de nombreux livres jeunesse primés. Elle a écrit plus de 80
livres, dont Raconte-moi les graphiques : L'histoire de William Playfair et
l'album illustré à succès Un porc-épic dans un sapin. Helaine
habite à Toronto, en Ontario.

 

HELAINE BECKER is the author of numerous of books of fiction and non-fiction for children, among them the best-selling A Porcupine in a Pine Tree and its sequel, Dashing Through the Snow: A Canadian Jingle Bells, The Haunted House That Jack Built and Little Jack Horner, Live from the Corner. Her books have won the Silver Birch Award and the CBA Libris Award and have been shortlisted for the Red Cedar, the Hackmatack and the Rocky Mountain awards. Helaine lives in Toronto with her family. Visit her at www.helainebecker.com.

Helaine Becker's profile page

KARI RUST is the author and illustrator of Tricky and The House at the End of the Road. Kari has a background in character animation and design, and her hand-drawn images are full of warmth, style, and humor. A graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Kari lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

Kari Rust's profile page

Awards

  • Winner, Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens List, Capitol Choices

Editorial Reviews

... a great addition to the growing canon of titles spotlighting unsung female mathematicians.

CM Magazine

A vivid biographical depiction of history, math, science, and the importance of women in STEM.

Kirkus Reviews

Girls as well as boys will enjoy learning about Emmy Noether.—Association of Jewish Libraries

A worthy addition to the growing collection of STEM-related picture book biographies of pioneering women.

School Library Journal

... leaves a strong impact on readers about Noether's impressive achievements, both as a mathematician and as an example of women's intellectual creativity and empowerment—Jewish Book Council

This book doesn't disappoint.

Elizabeth Bird for School Library Journal

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