  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 11/01/2016 K-Gr 3—This engaging and richly illustrated picture book biography depicts scientist Eugenie Clark's groundbreaking work with sharks. Using clear, kid-friendly prose with just the right amount of scientific detail, Lang introduces readers to Clark as a young child transfixed by sharks at the New York Aquarium. Focused on becoming an ichthyologist (a fish scientist) and undeterred by the lack of women in her field, Clark took every relevant class available, earning a master's degree in zoology. Soon, the ocean was her classroom, and as she explored the underwater world, she collected and observed as much data as she could. In 1955, Clark opened the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Florida, where her work with sharks developed even further, earning her the nickname "Shark Lady." Lang's wonder-filled narrative makes for an inspiring tale of a successful female scientist, with a decided emphasis on her successes. An author's note mentions some discrimination Clark faced as a woman and a Japanese American. However, this is not addressed in the main text. Nevertheless, students will enjoy this account of a scientist's close work with such fearsome creatures. Solano's gorgeous illustrations, done in a soothing, muted palette of greens and blues, suggest the ocean and enhance this selection's appeal. VERDICT An excellent addition to any collection, particularly those looking to expand their stories of women in STEM.—Kristy Pasquariello, Wellesley Free Library, MA - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Bulletin for the Center... - 01/01/2017 When the biography-report assignment rolls around, the scramble is on for the coolest people middle-graders have never heard of. Consider Eugenie Clark, born in the early 1920s, a time in which a girl with science enthusiasm found the narrowest of opportunities to turn passion into career. Clark earned a master’s degree, lucked into a position as an ichthyologist assistant, and found her way where she wanted to be-on and under the sea studying all kinds of fish, particularly sharks. Careful observation led her to understand sharks are not bloodthirsty predators with their stony black eyes fixed on humans, and by the mid 1950s Clark opened the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Florida, taking a leadership role in research and scholarship on sharks and other marine life. While the book capably conveys Clark’s fascination with sharks, a number of actual biographical data points are missing or buried in endnotes, unfortunately leaving readers to discover on their own the details of her family life and her getting a PhD. Clark’s Japanese-American identity, which presented its own considerable challenges to conducting research, is also never mentioned within the body of the text. Solano’s flat, utilitarian artwork is supplemented with four small photographs of Clark at work. Still, the appeal of sharks makes this an easy sell, and the selected sources makes it a possible choice for kids in search of high interest curricular material. EB - Copyright 2017 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Booklist - 12/01/2016 Eugenie Clark’s interest in sharks began early in life, when regular visits to the New York Aquarium led not to a fear of the giant fish but a fascination. As a girl growing up in the 1930s, opportunities were slim for Genie; her mother suggested she be a scientist’s secretary. But as this picture-book biography attests, Genie embraced her passion, achieving a master’s degree in zoology, working for an ichthyologist, and eventually opening a laboratory where she studied sharks in their natural habitat. Until her death in 2015, she remained fully committed to the study of marine life and made invaluable contributions regarding the biology and reputation of sharks. Solano’s illustrations, primarily in a watery blue-green palette, mainly depict Genie’s explorations underwater, interspersed with notebook pages showing occasional sketches and notes. The coverage is fairly general, although an author’s note provides more in-depth information on Genie, including a discussion of the discrimination she faced as both a woman and a Japanese American, as well as additional background information about sharks. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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