Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life

by Cheryl Blackford (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

"This in-depth, beautifully illustrated biography of Mary Anning sings with the passion and perseverance of the woman herself, who from girlhood on scoured the shifting cliffs of her native Dorset to dig out prehistoric mysteries and make sense of them--altering forever our view of the past." - Joyce Sidman, Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Medal winner

A fascinating, highly visual biography of Mary Anning, the Victorian fossil hunter who changed scientific thinking about prehistoric life and would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists of all time. Perfect for children learning about woman scientists like Ada Lovelace, Jane Goodall, and Katherine Johnson.

Mary Anning grew up on the south coast of England in a region rich in fossils. As teenagers, she and her brother Joseph discovered England's first complete ichthyosaur. Poor and uneducated, Anning would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists ever, though in her time she supported herself selling by fossils and received little formal recognition. Her findings helped shape scientific thinking about extinction and prehistoric life long before Darwin published his famous work on evolution.

With engaging text, photographs, and stunning paleoart, Fossil Hunter introduces this self-taught scientist, now recognized as one of the greatest fossilists the world has ever known.

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Paperback
$11.99

Kirkus Reviews

Solid, respectful scholarship tailored for mature, serious-minded young readers.

Review quotes

"This in-depth, beautifully illustrated biography of Mary Anning sings with the passion and perseverance of the woman herself, who from girlhood on scoured the shifting cliffs of her native Dorset to dig out prehistoric mysteries and make sense of them—altering forever our view of the past." - Joyce Sidman, Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Medal winner


"Deftly weaving in paleontological and geological facts, this riveting account presents an unflinching look at what it meant to be born poor, uneducated, female, and brilliant, at a time when women were denied the opportunity to become scientists. I couldn't put it down." -Sarah Albee, NYT bestselling author of Accidental Archeologists and Bugged

Cheryl Blackford
Born in Yorkshire, England, Cheryl Blackford developed a passion for fossils and rocks when she was thirteen and would later graduate with a degree in geology. She has been fossil hunting in Lyme Regis and studied Anning artifacts and archival materials in Oxford and Bristol. This is her first biography for children. She lives in Minnesota. cherylblackford.com.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780358396055
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
January 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF003050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures
JNF037050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Fossils
JNF007090 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Science & Technology
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF011000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Careers
JNF025150 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Prehistoric
JNF051170 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Discoveries
Library of Congress categories
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