A bright child, born in Poland in 1867, Marie Sklodowska dreamed of becoming a scientist. The odds of fulfilling her goal were remote in that era, but as the text emphasizes, she was determined. After high school, she and her elder sister convinced their father to send them to the Sorbonne in Paris, which conferred advanced degrees upon woman graduates, even in the sciences. Marie married a fellow student, Pierre Curie, who worked with her on her postgraduate research and in raising their daughters. Marie Curie's accomplishments in physics were as groundbreaking as the accolades she received (first woman to receive a Nobel Prize, first person to receive two Nobel Prizes). The book's handsome illustrations range from precisely delineated drawings of science labs to a scene showing Paris at night. Hopkinson's concise, well-worded narrative emphasizes Curie's background, her unshakable sense of purpose, and her strong work ethic. But it also suggests that childhood aspirations are achievable for those who are determined. It concludes with these words: "Remember, she began, just like you, as a child who wanted to learn."

How does a young woman shoulder past personal tragedies and gender prejudice to achieve her dream?In Marie Curie's case, by being "unstoppable" in her desire to become a scientist, in Hopkinson's view. This outline of her brilliant career follows her from early years as "a child who wanted to learn" ("just like you," the author notes leadingly) through her first glimpse of radium's eerie "luminous light"-and the deaths of her mother, sister, and commendably supportive husband, Pierre-to well-earned renown as the winner of not one but two Nobel Prizes and her relatively early death from, probably, exposure to radiation. The author's note closes with Curie's affirmation that whatever comes in life, "still one must always work," and though her daughters do draw mentions, the focus throughout here is less on her private character than her labors and achievements. Hill places her small, quietly resolute figure in various finely detailed period settings from a genteel family home in Warsaw to the cluttered lab in Paris where she conducted most of her laborious early research. Human figures are uniformly light-skinned until a final view of a diverse group of modern children gathered in delight around a spectacularly foamy chemistry experiment.Little sign of the person beneath the icon, but a better role model for kids facing glass ceilings would be hard to find. (timeline, source notes, bibliography, recommended reading) (Picture-book biography. 7-10)

This straightforward picture book biography showcases the hard work that propelled Marie Curie (1867–1934) to success. Though financial challenges and discrimination present obstacles to Curie’s dreams of becoming a scientist, her path clears once she moves to Paris for university. Interspersing description with quotes from Curie, Hopkinson dives into the experiments and discoveries that lead the scientist to her first Nobel Prize. A concluding segment on the X-ray units that the figure helped organize during WWI further amplifies the book’s focus on Curie’s contributions. Hill’s gouache, watercolor, and digital illustrations echo educational text with a muted palette for scenes that zero in on Curie’s studious qualities—speaking to anyone starting out “as a child who wanted to learn.” An author’s note and timeline conclude. Background characters are portrayed largely with pale skin. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)

Gr 3–5— Hopkinson highlights the obstacles Marie Curie faced, her achievements in multiple fields, and the determination behind her success. The story is simple to follow and showcases many parts of Curie's life and legacy, not just her more notable achievements, making it easier for students to fathom Curie's world and find their own inspiration. The vocabulary can be advanced in its use of specific science terms, but Hopkinson helps provide definitions in context; even readers new to terms such as "energy" or "radioactivity" will grasp meanings without background knowledge. The text itself is easy to read and engaging. Hill's illustrations illuminate the world of this era and show the obstacles Curie faced, while also providing additional help in conveying science vocabulary and insights for young readers. The back matter includes an author's note about Curie's life and a time line that offers further reading, with good quotes and citations for more discovery. Together Hopkinson and Hill have created a window into the life and times of an acclaimed scientist for a young audience. VERDICT A solid biography of Marie Curie that highlights her determination and main achievements.— Margaret Kennelly