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The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner
The gripping story of Lise Meitner, the physicist who discovered nuclear fission
As a female Jewish physicist in Berlin during the early twentieth century, Lise Meitner had to fight for an education, a job, and equal treatment in her field.
Meitner made groundbreaking strides in the study of radiation, but when Hitler came to power in Germany, she had to face not only sexism but life-threatening anti-Semitism as well. Nevertheless, she persevered and one day made a discovery that rocked the the splitting of the atom. While her male lab partner was awarded a Nobel Prize for the achievement, the committee refused to credit her.
Suddenly, the race to build the atomic bomb was on—although Meitner, a pacifist, was horrified to be associated with such a weapon. “A physicist who never lost her humanity,” Meitner wanted only to figure out how the world works.
The Woman Who Split the Atom is a fascinating look at Meitner’s fierce passion, integrity, and her lifelong struggle to have her contributions to physics recognized.
As a female Jewish physicist in Berlin during the early twentieth century, Lise Meitner had to fight for an education, a job, and equal treatment in her field.
Meitner made groundbreaking strides in the study of radiation, but when Hitler came to power in Germany, she had to face not only sexism but life-threatening anti-Semitism as well. Nevertheless, she persevered and one day made a discovery that rocked the the splitting of the atom. While her male lab partner was awarded a Nobel Prize for the achievement, the committee refused to credit her.
Suddenly, the race to build the atomic bomb was on—although Meitner, a pacifist, was horrified to be associated with such a weapon. “A physicist who never lost her humanity,” Meitner wanted only to figure out how the world works.
The Woman Who Split the Atom is a fascinating look at Meitner’s fierce passion, integrity, and her lifelong struggle to have her contributions to physics recognized.
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First published April 5, 2022
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About the author
Marissa Moss
114 books264 followersMarissa Moss has written more than seventy books, from picture books to middle-grade and young adult novels. Best known for the Amelia's Notebook series, her books are popular with teachers and children alike. Her picture book Barbed Wire Baseball won the California Book Award gold medal. Moss is also the founder of Creston Books, an independent children's publishing house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
September 16, 2024
There indeed is a lot that is totally and utterly spectacular and delightful regarding Marissa Moss' 2022 middle grade biography The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner (and I for one am also rather hoping that The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner might even be considered as a possible Newbery candidate because perosnally I do think Marissa Moss and her The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner richly and majorly deserve being considered).
Yes, Lise Meitner faced many difficulties and obstacles trying to obtain for herself the education and the academic choices she desired (in late 19th and early 20th century Austria and Germany). But unlike other biographical accounts about Lise Meitner I have read in the past (and which had actually and problematically tried to claim that Meitner's family did not support her pursuit of advanced post secondary education and that a large part of Meitner's struggles for this was also supposedly mostly if not only because she was Jewish), author Marissa Moss thankfully, fortunately and from page one onwards of The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner makes textually absolutely certain that her readers know and realise that Lise Meitner's parents (and in particular the father) ALWAYS SUPPORTED AND ENCOURAGED their daughters (with older sister Gisela studying medicine and Lise studying physics) and that the one main reason why until the laws changed in Germany in 1908, Lise Meitner could not attend university was absolutely NOT because she was Jewish but because of her gender, because she was female (in other words, until 1908, NO women were allowed to officially attend a German university, period, and it was Lise Meitner's "wrong" gender that was the "problem" and the obstacle and not at all her Jewish background and cultural heritage (and indeed, the latter in fact only became an issue and a threat post 1933, post the Nazi takeover of the German government, so indeed and in my opinion, any author claiming that Lise Meitner had problems obtaining her education due to her ethnicity and not due to her gender is simply wrong, wrong, wrong, and I sure am glad that Marissa Moss does not ever fall into said trap in and with The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner).
Now as much as I have absolutely and totally enjoyed (and also academically appreciated) reading The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner, I also do not consider The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner to be perfect and as such above criticism, as I personally do find it more than a bit uncomfortable that in the author's note Marissa Moss seems to (in my humble opinion) engage in a bit of victim blaming regarding the fact that Lise Meitner at first did not consider herself as a rather conservative physics professor in good academic standing as being in any real danger from the Nazis due to her Jewish background, with the unfortunate result that Lise Meitner kept waiting and waiting and hoping for the Nazis to calm down a bit until she almost ended up stranded in Germany (and we all know what would have likely been the horrible outcome for Lise Meitner had this happened). But hindsight is always 20/20, and it is sadly true that many more conservative, more right wing leaning Jews in Germany and Austria did not at first realise just how much of am all encompassing threat the National Socialists were and would be to and for them (and considering that this rather simplistic and dangerously optimistic attitude was also the case with regard to many European nations like for example the United Kingdom with its policy of Appeasement, who are we to really in any way pass judgment and to simply be labelling the Jews who failed to understand the Nazis as being a danger as naive and as foolish, as this seems to have been common and global).
But even with there being for me some very minor textual issues with The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner, Marissa Moss's narrative, her printed words are spectacular, readable, interestingly, engagingly penned and also very nicely relatable (although I personally do have to admit finding the short graphic novel bits at the beginning of each chapter somewhat visually distracting). A solid four stars for The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner but upped to five, as the supplemental materials Marissa Moss has included (timelines, a glossary, mini biographies of the scientists mentioned, notes and last but not least a very decent bibliography) are not only outstanding, they also move The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner from very good to absolutely and totally superb and great.
Yes, Lise Meitner faced many difficulties and obstacles trying to obtain for herself the education and the academic choices she desired (in late 19th and early 20th century Austria and Germany). But unlike other biographical accounts about Lise Meitner I have read in the past (and which had actually and problematically tried to claim that Meitner's family did not support her pursuit of advanced post secondary education and that a large part of Meitner's struggles for this was also supposedly mostly if not only because she was Jewish), author Marissa Moss thankfully, fortunately and from page one onwards of The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner makes textually absolutely certain that her readers know and realise that Lise Meitner's parents (and in particular the father) ALWAYS SUPPORTED AND ENCOURAGED their daughters (with older sister Gisela studying medicine and Lise studying physics) and that the one main reason why until the laws changed in Germany in 1908, Lise Meitner could not attend university was absolutely NOT because she was Jewish but because of her gender, because she was female (in other words, until 1908, NO women were allowed to officially attend a German university, period, and it was Lise Meitner's "wrong" gender that was the "problem" and the obstacle and not at all her Jewish background and cultural heritage (and indeed, the latter in fact only became an issue and a threat post 1933, post the Nazi takeover of the German government, so indeed and in my opinion, any author claiming that Lise Meitner had problems obtaining her education due to her ethnicity and not due to her gender is simply wrong, wrong, wrong, and I sure am glad that Marissa Moss does not ever fall into said trap in and with The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner).
Now as much as I have absolutely and totally enjoyed (and also academically appreciated) reading The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner, I also do not consider The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner to be perfect and as such above criticism, as I personally do find it more than a bit uncomfortable that in the author's note Marissa Moss seems to (in my humble opinion) engage in a bit of victim blaming regarding the fact that Lise Meitner at first did not consider herself as a rather conservative physics professor in good academic standing as being in any real danger from the Nazis due to her Jewish background, with the unfortunate result that Lise Meitner kept waiting and waiting and hoping for the Nazis to calm down a bit until she almost ended up stranded in Germany (and we all know what would have likely been the horrible outcome for Lise Meitner had this happened). But hindsight is always 20/20, and it is sadly true that many more conservative, more right wing leaning Jews in Germany and Austria did not at first realise just how much of am all encompassing threat the National Socialists were and would be to and for them (and considering that this rather simplistic and dangerously optimistic attitude was also the case with regard to many European nations like for example the United Kingdom with its policy of Appeasement, who are we to really in any way pass judgment and to simply be labelling the Jews who failed to understand the Nazis as being a danger as naive and as foolish, as this seems to have been common and global).
But even with there being for me some very minor textual issues with The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner, Marissa Moss's narrative, her printed words are spectacular, readable, interestingly, engagingly penned and also very nicely relatable (although I personally do have to admit finding the short graphic novel bits at the beginning of each chapter somewhat visually distracting). A solid four stars for The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner but upped to five, as the supplemental materials Marissa Moss has included (timelines, a glossary, mini biographies of the scientists mentioned, notes and last but not least a very decent bibliography) are not only outstanding, they also move The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner from very good to absolutely and totally superb and great.
February 5, 2022
Synergy: Lise Meitner
Lise Meitner (1878-1968) was an Austrian-Swedish physicist best known for her discovery of nuclear fission along with the element protactinium.
Read the recently published nonfiction book for youth then learn more at the website.
THE WOMAN WHO SPLIT THE ATOM by Marissa Moss tells the compelling story of a female Jewish physicist who made groundbreaking discoveries, while dealing with sexism, anti-Semitism, and other obstacles. Each of the forty chapters begins with sequential art followed by a short, engaging narrative. The book concludes with an afterword with photographs, author’s note, timeline, terms, glossary, endnotes, bibliography, and index. Perfect for reluctant readers, this highly illustrated biography will appeal to a wide range of young people.
LISE MEITNER AND NUCLEAR FISSION is a very short video providing an overview of Lise Meitner’s scientific discovery.
To view the video, to go https://youtu.be/6UvbdidT-qM
THE AMAZING LIFE OF LISE MEITNER is a video exploring the life of this inspiring scientist.
To view the video, to go https://youtu.be/uZZFG58G_jE
ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.
Lise Meitner (1878-1968) was an Austrian-Swedish physicist best known for her discovery of nuclear fission along with the element protactinium.
Read the recently published nonfiction book for youth then learn more at the website.
THE WOMAN WHO SPLIT THE ATOM by Marissa Moss tells the compelling story of a female Jewish physicist who made groundbreaking discoveries, while dealing with sexism, anti-Semitism, and other obstacles. Each of the forty chapters begins with sequential art followed by a short, engaging narrative. The book concludes with an afterword with photographs, author’s note, timeline, terms, glossary, endnotes, bibliography, and index. Perfect for reluctant readers, this highly illustrated biography will appeal to a wide range of young people.
LISE MEITNER AND NUCLEAR FISSION is a very short video providing an overview of Lise Meitner’s scientific discovery.
To view the video, to go https://youtu.be/6UvbdidT-qM
THE AMAZING LIFE OF LISE MEITNER is a video exploring the life of this inspiring scientist.
To view the video, to go https://youtu.be/uZZFG58G_jE
ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.
April 19, 2022
This biography is a 3.5 for me, and it's ideal for anyone looking for books about hidden figures or individuals whose contributions to science--in this case, physics--have been ignored or downplayed. In her usual engaging writing style, author Marissa Moss tells the story of Lise Meitner, a Jewish physicist who was working in Berlin during much of WWII. Throughout her life, she fought for an education, a job as a physicist, and for recognition by others in her field and related sciences. Hers is a familiar tale in some respects since she received very little pay for her work, and even was published using an initial instead of her first name since women scientists were not highly regarded. She worked for several decades with Otto Hahn, a chemist, but it was Hahn and not Meitner, who received the recognition for their groundbreaking work [even the Nobel Prize] and Meitner's discovery of how to split the atom. Arguably, Hahn would never have been able to complete his experiments and understand their significance without Meitner's contributions. The author describes Meitner's harrowing escape from Nazi Germany, thanks to the efforts of some of Meitner's fellow physicists, and her disappointment at how her discoveries about the atom led to the atomic bomb that would be used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While other scientists, notably those living and working in Germany, made excuses for not interceding on behalf of the Jews and others who were being hauled off to concentration camps, Meitner tried to hold them accountable and shame them into some admission of their guilt. The narrative has an almost breathless quality, and Moss pays tribute to this woman who gave her all for her science only to have it misused and taken away from her. The author uses short chapters broken up by artwork with black, white, and gray panels encapsulating a time period or experience of Meitner's. These are effective as transitions between the chapters and big moments and afford readers a bit of breathing room as well as interrupting the text with meaningful visuals, a technique sure to make the book even more accessible for young readers. And while I'm certainly no physics scholar, the author explains Meitner's work in terms that aren't overwhelming to understand. Thank you, Marissa Moss, for once again, bringing attention to someone who was marginalized in the past and deserves her place alongside some of those other great physicists. Add this one to a collection devoted to hidden figures, groundbreakers, and scientists.
June 22, 2025
I had never heard of Lise Meitner, especially in the context of WW2. Turns out she was the mother of the atomic bomb! She saw the potential for good, not for evil and destruction, with the use of the splitting of the atom. A wonderful introduction to a brilliant and remarkable woman, who did not receive the recognition and credit she deserved until much later unlike her male colleagues as is always the case.
December 15, 2023
Science is NOT my thing, so I didn't (and don't) understand all the science aspects of this story. I just went on faith that the science was real, and it made sense to someone, lol. Major props to those who understand the science.
This story was FULL of intrigue, from Lise Meitner being a woman scientist when women just weren't, to the rise of the Nazi party, and her eventual escape (which was nail biting!).
Even though the science went over my head, I still enjoyed learning about Lise Meitner and all that she accomplished in her life, overcoming SO many obstacles. What really sucked is she never fully got all the credit she deserved for her contributions, regardless of what that discovery led to. I do recommend this and it also had a very scary parallel to certain events.
5 stars for book and narration.
This story was FULL of intrigue, from Lise Meitner being a woman scientist when women just weren't, to the rise of the Nazi party, and her eventual escape (which was nail biting!).
Even though the science went over my head, I still enjoyed learning about Lise Meitner and all that she accomplished in her life, overcoming SO many obstacles. What really sucked is she never fully got all the credit she deserved for her contributions, regardless of what that discovery led to. I do recommend this and it also had a very scary parallel to certain events.
5 stars for book and narration.
December 29, 2022
Man takes credit for woman's discovery. This story is as old as time, but Lise Meitner's story is a unique one. Not only did she get doubly discriminated against as a Jewish woman, but she also had her scientific discovery essentially stolen from someone she at one time considered a friend. Otto Hahn did work with Meitner at the start of her career when no one else would since she was a woman, though it's interesting that he seemed to think they could still be partners and friends even after he claimed sole credit in winning a Nobel prize (for work that she interpreted) and denied the full horror of Nazi behaviors during and after the Holocaust.
August 15, 2024
Great book!!!
October 27, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Born in 1878 in Austria, Meitner faced a lot of obstacles in her quest to obtain an education. Always of a scientific bent, she had a supportive family that allowed her to study, and when she was 19, the laws changed and allowed women to go to universities. They had to pass rigorous tests, and she and her sister studied for them without the benefit of formal high school education. She got a doctorate in physics and was lucky enough to find Otto Hahn to work with. He treated her as an equal, and fought for her to be allowed to work, even though most places were not quick to include women in their departments. When she finally got to a place where her expertise and knowledge was valued despite the fact that she was a woman, Hitler was coming to power. Since Meitner was Jewish, she eventually lost her position. Not believing that she was in real danger, despite the fact that many other Jewish scientists were leaving, she stayed much longer than was safe. It took the combined efforts of many fellow scientists to get her to safety. She continued to work, and made a crucial interpretation of Hahn's experiments that solved the mystery of splitting the atom. She was horrified that her work was used for the atomic bomb. She eventually came to the US to teach. Her work was not given the accolades it deserved when she was alive, but at least she is now given credit.
Strengths: This was a very complete, well written biography of an impressive scientist who overcame a lot os societal disadvantages. The graphic novel style illustrations at the beginning of the chapters will draw in some readers, and are quite fun. There were a lot of details about the different subjects she studied and experiments she did, and the harrowing job of getting her out of the country is well explained. I also appreciated the author's note about how people today might think she was foolish, but how Moss' own family letters from people in similar situations also didn't seem as alarmed as they should have been. Great combination of science and history in an engaging read.
Weaknesses: Moss' Amelia Notebook (1995) books were popular before graphic novels really took off in my library, and I kept thinking of those at the beginning of every chapter. I wish those hadn't fallen apart!
What I really think: This is a great book for research, but I'm not sure how many of my students will pick it up for pleasure reading. Had Moss done the entire book in the graphic novel format of the introductory panels, they might get through that! I'll purchase a copy to update the 2000 biography I have, since this was particularly well done.
Born in 1878 in Austria, Meitner faced a lot of obstacles in her quest to obtain an education. Always of a scientific bent, she had a supportive family that allowed her to study, and when she was 19, the laws changed and allowed women to go to universities. They had to pass rigorous tests, and she and her sister studied for them without the benefit of formal high school education. She got a doctorate in physics and was lucky enough to find Otto Hahn to work with. He treated her as an equal, and fought for her to be allowed to work, even though most places were not quick to include women in their departments. When she finally got to a place where her expertise and knowledge was valued despite the fact that she was a woman, Hitler was coming to power. Since Meitner was Jewish, she eventually lost her position. Not believing that she was in real danger, despite the fact that many other Jewish scientists were leaving, she stayed much longer than was safe. It took the combined efforts of many fellow scientists to get her to safety. She continued to work, and made a crucial interpretation of Hahn's experiments that solved the mystery of splitting the atom. She was horrified that her work was used for the atomic bomb. She eventually came to the US to teach. Her work was not given the accolades it deserved when she was alive, but at least she is now given credit.
Strengths: This was a very complete, well written biography of an impressive scientist who overcame a lot os societal disadvantages. The graphic novel style illustrations at the beginning of the chapters will draw in some readers, and are quite fun. There were a lot of details about the different subjects she studied and experiments she did, and the harrowing job of getting her out of the country is well explained. I also appreciated the author's note about how people today might think she was foolish, but how Moss' own family letters from people in similar situations also didn't seem as alarmed as they should have been. Great combination of science and history in an engaging read.
Weaknesses: Moss' Amelia Notebook (1995) books were popular before graphic novels really took off in my library, and I kept thinking of those at the beginning of every chapter. I wish those hadn't fallen apart!
What I really think: This is a great book for research, but I'm not sure how many of my students will pick it up for pleasure reading. Had Moss done the entire book in the graphic novel format of the introductory panels, they might get through that! I'll purchase a copy to update the 2000 biography I have, since this was particularly well done.
March 19, 2022
A fantastically written biography of one of modern physics' most important scientists, Ms Moss clearly describes the challenges Lise Meitner faced in her lifetime. This text would be a great read for upper-elementary through middle school grades. Connections to women's history, WWII history, and science make it a versatile text with illustrated chapter openings making it attractive to young readers. Well-researched with a clear timeline at the end, glossary, profiles of Meitner's contemporaries, and bibliography for further reading. A great addition for any school library.
August 27, 2022
Just imagine you are a young woman who LOVES science, living in the early 20th century, you just want to study physics more than anything else in the world. Top that off with being a Jewish woman living in "up and coming" Nazi Germany. Add to that you, being the lead physicist on the groundbreaking discovery of splitting the atom - but your partner takes all the credit, because HE can!
This is a very light look into what physics is about, even I could understand how the author broke down the techniques used for this discovery.
This is a very light look into what physics is about, even I could understand how the author broke down the techniques used for this discovery.
February 27, 2024
While I consider myself fairly well-informed on the subject of the history of discoveries in areas such as quantum physics and atomic energy, I had never heard of pioneering scientist Lise Meitner and the contributions to advancements in these areas.
Lise Meitner grew up in an Austrian family that highly valued education. Despite the fact that women rarely, if ever, pursued higher education, she was encouraged by her father to pursue her passion - Physics. Overcoming overwhelming odds, Meitner received a degree in physics, and went on to pursue a lifetime of research related to radioactivity. Often barely paid and working in a basement laboratory, the pursuit of scientific truth was more important to her than having a better lifestyle. While it was frustrating to often not be recognized or given official awards or positions, she did publish papers along with male colleagues and was eventually recognized as a professor.
Living and working in Berlin, Meitner barely thought of herself as Jewish for most of her career - it was more of an issue that she was a female scientist in an almost exclusively male field. She saw her Jewish ancestry as something from her past - she had even been baptized as a Christian. All that changed of course in the 1930s under Hitler's regime. As other scientists fled (and encouraged Meitner to do the same), she instead retreated to her lab and accepted cuts in pay and position. In 1938, she finally was forced to flee and ended up in Sweden.
Continuing to correspond by letter with her former colleague Otto Hahn, she heard from him about puzzling results he was getting in the lab. While Hahn didn't understand the results he was seeing, Meitner and her nephew Otto Robert Frisch (also a physicist) worked out what was really going on - they had discovered nuclear fission.
Adding insult to injury of the many difficulties Meitner faced in her lifetime, Hahn and his colleague Fritz Strassman ended up receiving most of the credit and accolades for the work - despite the fact they might never have figured out what was happening without Meitner and Frisch's insights. While physicists at the time recognized Meitner's contributions, in the race toward atomic weapons and nuclear power, her role was swept aside. Though nominated for the Nobel prize nearly 50 times for this and other work, she was never awarded the prize - it went to Hahn with no mention of her work.
My 12 year old and I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of this biography! While I do think some familiarity with science related to atomic energy will be helpful in understanding this book, it's definitely understandable for a middle school level listener, but not too simplistic that a high school student or adult wouldn't enjoy it also. Excerpts from letters and diaries are frequently referenced or quoted as source material. I take it from reading other reviews that there are some illustrated panels to open each chapter - I can't comment on those since we listened as an audio book.
Moss doesn't shy away from difficult topics like the Holocaust in this book, but while the horrors of concentration camps and other violence toward Jews is definitely mentioned numerous times, it isn't done in an overly graphic manor.
Lise Meitner grew up in an Austrian family that highly valued education. Despite the fact that women rarely, if ever, pursued higher education, she was encouraged by her father to pursue her passion - Physics. Overcoming overwhelming odds, Meitner received a degree in physics, and went on to pursue a lifetime of research related to radioactivity. Often barely paid and working in a basement laboratory, the pursuit of scientific truth was more important to her than having a better lifestyle. While it was frustrating to often not be recognized or given official awards or positions, she did publish papers along with male colleagues and was eventually recognized as a professor.
Living and working in Berlin, Meitner barely thought of herself as Jewish for most of her career - it was more of an issue that she was a female scientist in an almost exclusively male field. She saw her Jewish ancestry as something from her past - she had even been baptized as a Christian. All that changed of course in the 1930s under Hitler's regime. As other scientists fled (and encouraged Meitner to do the same), she instead retreated to her lab and accepted cuts in pay and position. In 1938, she finally was forced to flee and ended up in Sweden.
Continuing to correspond by letter with her former colleague Otto Hahn, she heard from him about puzzling results he was getting in the lab. While Hahn didn't understand the results he was seeing, Meitner and her nephew Otto Robert Frisch (also a physicist) worked out what was really going on - they had discovered nuclear fission.
Adding insult to injury of the many difficulties Meitner faced in her lifetime, Hahn and his colleague Fritz Strassman ended up receiving most of the credit and accolades for the work - despite the fact they might never have figured out what was happening without Meitner and Frisch's insights. While physicists at the time recognized Meitner's contributions, in the race toward atomic weapons and nuclear power, her role was swept aside. Though nominated for the Nobel prize nearly 50 times for this and other work, she was never awarded the prize - it went to Hahn with no mention of her work.
My 12 year old and I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of this biography! While I do think some familiarity with science related to atomic energy will be helpful in understanding this book, it's definitely understandable for a middle school level listener, but not too simplistic that a high school student or adult wouldn't enjoy it also. Excerpts from letters and diaries are frequently referenced or quoted as source material. I take it from reading other reviews that there are some illustrated panels to open each chapter - I can't comment on those since we listened as an audio book.
Moss doesn't shy away from difficult topics like the Holocaust in this book, but while the horrors of concentration camps and other violence toward Jews is definitely mentioned numerous times, it isn't done in an overly graphic manor.
December 30, 2022
4,5 stars rounded up.
The voice of Rustin is perfect of this type of book. She has a clear intonation and portrays emotions (even given the type of writing) quite well.
With regards to the book, it was quite interesting. We've advanced quite a lot in treatment of women and minorities, but it was quite enlightening to see how these identities were constantly undermined not only by oppressive governments, but the average Joe. It was also saddening to see how men steal women's work and they're not even able to notice their trespasses... not to say that they expect to be applauded for being less sexist than others. There's a moral exhortation there... the scientists should pursue truth, which means to Caesar what's Caesar's.
In any case, Meitner was a dynamo. She was smart, well-educated, inspiring and always in pursue of her dreams. She got some of the condecoration she deserved and she most definitely helped open spaces for women in Academia (not even just in sciences/STEM).
The history lessons underneath were eye-opening. I wasn't aware of the letter stating that Nazis were morally superior for not using nuclear power. (It made me feel disgusted at those hypocritical political displays of saving face.)
The voice of Rustin is perfect of this type of book. She has a clear intonation and portrays emotions (even given the type of writing) quite well.
With regards to the book, it was quite interesting. We've advanced quite a lot in treatment of women and minorities, but it was quite enlightening to see how these identities were constantly undermined not only by oppressive governments, but the average Joe. It was also saddening to see how men steal women's work and they're not even able to notice their trespasses... not to say that they expect to be applauded for being less sexist than others. There's a moral exhortation there... the scientists should pursue truth, which means to Caesar what's Caesar's.
In any case, Meitner was a dynamo. She was smart, well-educated, inspiring and always in pursue of her dreams. She got some of the condecoration she deserved and she most definitely helped open spaces for women in Academia (not even just in sciences/STEM).
The history lessons underneath were eye-opening. I wasn't aware of the letter stating that Nazis were morally superior for not using nuclear power. (It made me feel disgusted at those hypocritical political displays of saving face.)
November 16, 2024
Reason read: story with a female with a female author. This is nonfiction about Lise Meitner. The author, Marissa Moss, writes children's book and she also illustrates her books. Lise Meitner is a physicist that had to fight for her place because she was female and then she had to fight because she was Jewish. She deserved recognitions that went to men who would not have done the work without Lise's expertise. She should have won the Nobel prize but it went to a man who was not ashamed to take full credit for that which he could not have done without her help. She discovered nuclear fission. The book also describes the rise of Hitler to power in Germany.
October 24, 2023
I knew nothing about Meitner before I started this book and while I thought I had an understanding of what it meant to be a woman scientist during her time, I really had not thought about what it would have meant to be a Jewish women scientist in Germany during Hitler's rise to power. This was definitely worth the listen and now I have some strong feelings about dead scientists.
October 26, 2023
Lise Meitner spent most of her life in the shadows, first because she was a woman and then because she was Jewish. I had never heard of her before, but she should be as well known as Marie Curie for her role in physics and discovering nuclear fission. During her lifetime, many men were completely credited with work that should have acknowledged her contributions and I hope that she is better represented in today's physics books. I learned a lot from this book.
July 27, 2024
This book brings to light a little known fact about a woman who was ahead of her time A female physicist who was also a Jew in Germany. Her story is inspiring and frustrating at the same time. She received very little recognition for her groundbreaking discovery. I liked how encouraging her father was.
March 11, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Another case of women’s accomplishments being downplayed and ignored in history. Infuriating but enlightening.
Another case of women’s accomplishments being downplayed and ignored in history. Infuriating but enlightening.
July 27, 2023
Very well done, and perfect timing! I finished it the day before I went to see the movie Oppenheimer. It gave me such a great background to the events of the movie.
October 13, 2022
This was an accidental read after I downloaded this for my daughter, thinking it was for kids. It actually turned out to be a fascinating read. I had never heard about Lise Meitner and this book was a revelation. The incredible intelligence, resolve and determination of this amazing woman shines through every page of the narrative. Her story is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time, asking us women to keep fighting, to keep dreaming, to never give up hope - even if that hope never leads anywhere.
This book made me rethink and appreciate a lot of things - the struggle that women scientists have faced since the beginning, how their research and discoveries through the centuries were masked and buried with the credit being taken by men too insecure to admit and accept the brilliance of women. I will now look upon all Nobel Laureates with a suspicious mind. I will never look at some of these brilliant scientists, who I grew up admiring, the same way anymore. Their moral ineptitude when it came to taking a stand against the application of science for human destruction is shocking to me. Lise Meitner truly stands out in that regard - her refusal to be involved in anything that involved science for evil was unwavering, even if it meant losing access to her beloved research and equipment. Her story needs to be shouted from the rooftops for every generation to hear.
The reason for the 3 stars for this review is that I found the narrative too dry. It neither read like a biography nor a fact finder and it couldn’t decide which path to take. A lot of research went into the writing of the book - but the research was presented in a confusing manner. It was almost as if the author was afraid that missing out a few names from the narrative ( and there were a lot of them) would somehow offend. It should have been a biography, a great story.
It is a good book about a great woman whose story needed to be told. I am glad to have read it.
This book made me rethink and appreciate a lot of things - the struggle that women scientists have faced since the beginning, how their research and discoveries through the centuries were masked and buried with the credit being taken by men too insecure to admit and accept the brilliance of women. I will now look upon all Nobel Laureates with a suspicious mind. I will never look at some of these brilliant scientists, who I grew up admiring, the same way anymore. Their moral ineptitude when it came to taking a stand against the application of science for human destruction is shocking to me. Lise Meitner truly stands out in that regard - her refusal to be involved in anything that involved science for evil was unwavering, even if it meant losing access to her beloved research and equipment. Her story needs to be shouted from the rooftops for every generation to hear.
The reason for the 3 stars for this review is that I found the narrative too dry. It neither read like a biography nor a fact finder and it couldn’t decide which path to take. A lot of research went into the writing of the book - but the research was presented in a confusing manner. It was almost as if the author was afraid that missing out a few names from the narrative ( and there were a lot of them) would somehow offend. It should have been a biography, a great story.
It is a good book about a great woman whose story needed to be told. I am glad to have read it.
November 16, 2021
With each chapter beginning with a mini-comic, it doesn't help or hurt the story in any way but does pull in some additional readers who might be drawn to the mix though there wasn't a particular choice in what was showcased that made it stand out any different than the narrative about a woman, Lise Meitner who was a Jewish woman physicist. And during the wars in Europe and her own tenacity, she persevered even without the acclaim, honors, and recognition she should have been awarded for her partnerships, particularly with her lab partner Hahn, who got all of the credit.
Sadly, it's another biography of a woman lost to history who now gets her time to shine with a whole book dedicated to her overcoming adversity and being willing to sit back because she loved science so much. And had a sister who was also in medicine (the father said he shouldn't have two women in medicine and that Lise should pursue her interest in physics rather than trying to do medicine though she got her shot at it when the war broke out and we went to work as a nurse in the hospitals). It does well to incorporate the wonderings of how those who were discovering these things dealt with and thought about how it was used in warfare and beyond.
It includes biographies of key players in the back as well as the source notes.
Sadly, it's another biography of a woman lost to history who now gets her time to shine with a whole book dedicated to her overcoming adversity and being willing to sit back because she loved science so much. And had a sister who was also in medicine (the father said he shouldn't have two women in medicine and that Lise should pursue her interest in physics rather than trying to do medicine though she got her shot at it when the war broke out and we went to work as a nurse in the hospitals). It does well to incorporate the wonderings of how those who were discovering these things dealt with and thought about how it was used in warfare and beyond.
It includes biographies of key players in the back as well as the source notes.
June 4, 2022
Even though this is considered a middle level biography, it is also extremely suitable for high school and adults just learning about this scientist and the times in which she lived. It is a sophisticated topic on many levels, including the corruption of science under powerful political control.
It was Nazi science that dehumanized the Jews, portrayed them as vermin, rats, dangerous spreaders of diseases and therefore needing to be eradicated. It was Nazi power that assaulted the country with heavy handed oppressive measures in the name of national security. In our current state of heavy handed and control seeking measures by governments today, with regard to pandemic science, for me, this book can illustrate how these measures are wrong and dangerous. As the author wrote on page 5, “science pretended to be objective but was often shaped by human bias.”
All of the background to, and the culmination of the period of WW II is needed to understand Lise Meitner’s position as a physicist in Germany and then after her harrowing escape.
I find that many middle level and YA books are often formulaic with uninspiring text. Every now and then an author’s deep interest in a subject is revealed through excellent prose written in a way that can appeal to all, and elevates the offerings to young readers.
It was Nazi science that dehumanized the Jews, portrayed them as vermin, rats, dangerous spreaders of diseases and therefore needing to be eradicated. It was Nazi power that assaulted the country with heavy handed oppressive measures in the name of national security. In our current state of heavy handed and control seeking measures by governments today, with regard to pandemic science, for me, this book can illustrate how these measures are wrong and dangerous. As the author wrote on page 5, “science pretended to be objective but was often shaped by human bias.”
All of the background to, and the culmination of the period of WW II is needed to understand Lise Meitner’s position as a physicist in Germany and then after her harrowing escape.
I find that many middle level and YA books are often formulaic with uninspiring text. Every now and then an author’s deep interest in a subject is revealed through excellent prose written in a way that can appeal to all, and elevates the offerings to young readers.
July 18, 2023
3.5 stars...
Overall, I didn't find this particularly engaging. It chronicles the life and research of Lise Meitner, a Jewish woman in science in the early 20th century in Germany. Passionate and determined, she lives for physics and spends her life pursuing knowledge and being frustrated (but at times VERY accepting?) of her lack of opportunity and recognition. Being female was the biggest strike against her until the rise of Nazi ideology and policy. Friends and colleagues with some of the most recognizable names in science (Einsten, Bohr, etc.), she was admired and acknowledged by many while being a victim of her time and place.
But I'm not the intended audience, so realize that it has merit even if I didn't love it. It is VERY simplistic at times, so much so that it seems like a very basic Holocaust primer, providing very basic definitions and background of things like scapegoating or the Night of Broken Glass. This and the simplistic language make me think that this is most appropriate for middle grades, especially middle grade females interested in science.
This may also be a great fit for those who love Lessons in Chemistry and want to see more of the women who have played major roles in science but have been erased or minimized some way during their lives or in history. But the language and background here seem to simple for those who have read Lessons in Chemistry, so perhaps young people who have been told about these women and will eventually find this book?
I didn't hate it, and I think it's a story that should be told... I'm just not sure of the exact people who will both find and appreciate it.
Overall, I didn't find this particularly engaging. It chronicles the life and research of Lise Meitner, a Jewish woman in science in the early 20th century in Germany. Passionate and determined, she lives for physics and spends her life pursuing knowledge and being frustrated (but at times VERY accepting?) of her lack of opportunity and recognition. Being female was the biggest strike against her until the rise of Nazi ideology and policy. Friends and colleagues with some of the most recognizable names in science (Einsten, Bohr, etc.), she was admired and acknowledged by many while being a victim of her time and place.
But I'm not the intended audience, so realize that it has merit even if I didn't love it. It is VERY simplistic at times, so much so that it seems like a very basic Holocaust primer, providing very basic definitions and background of things like scapegoating or the Night of Broken Glass. This and the simplistic language make me think that this is most appropriate for middle grades, especially middle grade females interested in science.
This may also be a great fit for those who love Lessons in Chemistry and want to see more of the women who have played major roles in science but have been erased or minimized some way during their lives or in history. But the language and background here seem to simple for those who have read Lessons in Chemistry, so perhaps young people who have been told about these women and will eventually find this book?
I didn't hate it, and I think it's a story that should be told... I'm just not sure of the exact people who will both find and appreciate it.
April 27, 2023
A biography of physicist Lise Meitner outlining the challenges she faced as a woman and Jew in the physics field in Austria and Germany during the first half of the 20th century. The book also shares how she escaped the Nazis, her major discoveries and contributions to the field of nuclear physics, and how she reacted when one of her discoveries led to the making of the atom bomb.
Each chapter of this book starts off with 1 page done in a graphic novel style. It helps readers picture the people and things mentioned since there are only a couple photographs in the back of the book. This was a fascinating biography of a woman who really was an unsung genius of physics during her time. The text is written in a very engaging style, and I liked the mini graphic novel sections at the beginning of each chapter. Moss did an obvious amount of research and included numerous primary sources. An excellent STEM biography, and fascinating Jewish survivor of WWII story (who only survived because of friends who cared enough about her to put together an escape plan for her when she didn't seem to realize how much danger she was in).
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. WWI and WWII deaths are mentioned. The horrors of concentration camps come up several times (but aren't outlined in gory detail). Meitner faced discrimination many times because of her gender and Jewish heritage.
Each chapter of this book starts off with 1 page done in a graphic novel style. It helps readers picture the people and things mentioned since there are only a couple photographs in the back of the book. This was a fascinating biography of a woman who really was an unsung genius of physics during her time. The text is written in a very engaging style, and I liked the mini graphic novel sections at the beginning of each chapter. Moss did an obvious amount of research and included numerous primary sources. An excellent STEM biography, and fascinating Jewish survivor of WWII story (who only survived because of friends who cared enough about her to put together an escape plan for her when she didn't seem to realize how much danger she was in).
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. WWI and WWII deaths are mentioned. The horrors of concentration camps come up several times (but aren't outlined in gory detail). Meitner faced discrimination many times because of her gender and Jewish heritage.
October 19, 2022
The Woman Who Split the Atom by Marrisa Moss is an enjoyable non-fiction narrative biography detailing the life of Lise Meitner, a physicist responsible for the science that first understood the splitting of the atom. The text is easy to understand, enjoyable, and involves intrigue and escape from Nazi Germany. Meitner's life can feel discouraging, as her place in science was often discounted as a result of her gender and race. She was seen as disgruntled, as anyone in her position of "poor luck" would expect to be. This book works toward replacing her in her role as the physicist who first understood the what/how of splitting the atom.
While she wasn't revered or honored with the great distinctions men around her were, I loved the description toward the end of the book naming her "The physicist who never lost her humanity." She wouldn't work with men around her on the Manhattan Project or other bomb-related endeavors. She seemed timid and accepting in her younger years, but advocated for her people and herself in her later years. She was passionately driven by her love of physics and work in the field. Admirable in any era, but particularly in the one in which she lived.
"Life need not be easy, so long as it is not empty."
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
While she wasn't revered or honored with the great distinctions men around her were, I loved the description toward the end of the book naming her "The physicist who never lost her humanity." She wouldn't work with men around her on the Manhattan Project or other bomb-related endeavors. She seemed timid and accepting in her younger years, but advocated for her people and herself in her later years. She was passionately driven by her love of physics and work in the field. Admirable in any era, but particularly in the one in which she lived.
"Life need not be easy, so long as it is not empty."
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
March 22, 2024
I've always wanted to read a biography of Lise Meitner and when I got a copy of this, I was initially disappointed that it was a book for young readers. But I ended up appreciating that when reading the specifics of her scientific contributions to splitting the atom. Able to understand for the non scientific person.
The book tells of her fascinating life. Universities discriminated against her in her physics studies and career because she was a woman. She eventually went to Berlin where she was able to work and research, albeit at a junior level that also precluded her getting credit for her work. Of course, later her being a Jew was a much bigger problem, but like too many, she continued to stay in Germany as the Nazis consolidated power and invoked measures against Jews. She retreated into her world of research not knowing how bad it would get, her eventual escape from Germany to Sweden has as much suspense and drama as any spy novel. Interestingly once she was safe she turned down opportunities to help develop the Atomic Bomb because of her pacifist beliefs and her experience during World War I where her colleagues developed poison gas with devastating results. The book also details how she was denied credit for her scientific contributions, something that lingers even to today. This book is a welcome addition to correcting the record
This was a great introduction
The book tells of her fascinating life. Universities discriminated against her in her physics studies and career because she was a woman. She eventually went to Berlin where she was able to work and research, albeit at a junior level that also precluded her getting credit for her work. Of course, later her being a Jew was a much bigger problem, but like too many, she continued to stay in Germany as the Nazis consolidated power and invoked measures against Jews. She retreated into her world of research not knowing how bad it would get, her eventual escape from Germany to Sweden has as much suspense and drama as any spy novel. Interestingly once she was safe she turned down opportunities to help develop the Atomic Bomb because of her pacifist beliefs and her experience during World War I where her colleagues developed poison gas with devastating results. The book also details how she was denied credit for her scientific contributions, something that lingers even to today. This book is a welcome addition to correcting the record
This was a great introduction
February 5, 2025
This was a book club book, and although it's nominally a children's book, and took the effort not to talk down to the reader and actually discuss the science in an informative way that I really appreciated! The book club gave it 4 out of 5 atoms (stars) [we use a unit relative to the individual book when rating it: in this case, we use atoms to correspond to the topic and title]
Several of us that on the science in the book intimidating and over our heads, but on the other hand, the rest of us were quite comfortable with it. The writing itself Was simplistic and the overall structure- aimed at a preteen- was almost stilted and definitely choppy for at least one reader, but when she changed to the audio (which is what I always use) it was definitely better; she then went back to the written book for the cartoons (of which I was totally unaware...)
It, of course, pointed out the early discriminations against women in science; then, it got into the discrimination against Jews in Germany in the 1930s. The trials of Lise Meitner's life were on full display. She was denied the Nobel Prize, but she was decreed to be “Queen of the atom bomb”, a title she always detested. Physics was for Knowledge and truth, not for bombs and death!
I really like this book, despite the fact that it's nominally our children's book. And my middle name is after her first one :)
Several of us that on the science in the book intimidating and over our heads, but on the other hand, the rest of us were quite comfortable with it. The writing itself Was simplistic and the overall structure- aimed at a preteen- was almost stilted and definitely choppy for at least one reader, but when she changed to the audio (which is what I always use) it was definitely better; she then went back to the written book for the cartoons (of which I was totally unaware...)
It, of course, pointed out the early discriminations against women in science; then, it got into the discrimination against Jews in Germany in the 1930s. The trials of Lise Meitner's life were on full display. She was denied the Nobel Prize, but she was decreed to be “Queen of the atom bomb”, a title she always detested. Physics was for Knowledge and truth, not for bombs and death!
I really like this book, despite the fact that it's nominally our children's book. And my middle name is after her first one :)
September 21, 2022
Follows the life of Lise Meitner, who helped make the initial discovery of splitting the atom that eventually led to the creation of the atomic bomb. A Jewish scientist who worked in Germany during Hitler's rise to power, her reluctance to leave the country almost cost her life. She was a female scientist working at a time when she was a rarity and her contributions were often overlooked in favor of her colleagues.
Although Meitner is certainly a woman worthy of respect and notice, I'm not sure if her life made for the most compelling solo biographical material. The book ends up focusing a lot on her indecision about leaving Germany at a time when Jews were becoming increasingly persecuted, as well as her fraught relationship with a fellow-scientist, Hahn, who was her long-time scientific partner and didn't give her enough credit for her work. Compared with Steve Sheinken's books, which manage pacing so well, this book just felt like it got bogged down a bit.
There were cartoon panels that advanced the story to open each chapter. I'm not sure how necessary or helpful they were.
Overall I'm glad to know more about Lise Meitner but thought this book dragged in some spots. If someone has special interest in science or scientists, this might be an excellent read for them.
Although Meitner is certainly a woman worthy of respect and notice, I'm not sure if her life made for the most compelling solo biographical material. The book ends up focusing a lot on her indecision about leaving Germany at a time when Jews were becoming increasingly persecuted, as well as her fraught relationship with a fellow-scientist, Hahn, who was her long-time scientific partner and didn't give her enough credit for her work. Compared with Steve Sheinken's books, which manage pacing so well, this book just felt like it got bogged down a bit.
There were cartoon panels that advanced the story to open each chapter. I'm not sure how necessary or helpful they were.
Overall I'm glad to know more about Lise Meitner but thought this book dragged in some spots. If someone has special interest in science or scientists, this might be an excellent read for them.
November 11, 2022
I wouldn't have guessed that a 200 page middle grade book would be a fully comprehensive biography of a scientist I'd never heard of but Marissa Moss packs in the information. We see Meitner begin her career as a physicist, despite all the discrimination against women. She is dedicated and she is really focused, intelligent and physics is her field. Working in Germany (and working is really a stretch as she was unpaid for much of her career or severely underpaid due to her gender), she eventually runs up against anti-Semitism and the war.
What stands out is Meitner's ability to interpret complicated groundbreaking physics and her dedication to ethical science across her career. It is, however, hard to read about her trust in the Germans for so long but it is so like many Jews who did not believe things could get as out of control as they did. And she did eventually see how her German colleagues got it wrong and did not protect her or other Jews. In fact, her main collaborator took all the credit himself.
The back matter in this book is phenomenal and deep. There are also one page comics to start every chapter that add some color and background to the story of this remarkable woman.
What stands out is Meitner's ability to interpret complicated groundbreaking physics and her dedication to ethical science across her career. It is, however, hard to read about her trust in the Germans for so long but it is so like many Jews who did not believe things could get as out of control as they did. And she did eventually see how her German colleagues got it wrong and did not protect her or other Jews. In fact, her main collaborator took all the credit himself.
The back matter in this book is phenomenal and deep. There are also one page comics to start every chapter that add some color and background to the story of this remarkable woman.
April 17, 2023
I would really encourage the reading of this book for advanced juvenile, middle and high school students. As we drift back into a world of judging people by their ethnicity and religion, I would say this book would be a great group/family read, especially if you have daughters.
Lise Meitner spent her whole life fighting an uphill battle for her education and her rightful place in the scientific community with her scientific writings and her discoveries in the field of nuclear science.
She is mentioned as "being bitter", but how can one not be with the continued theft of her ideas attributed to those who erased her name from the contributions she created.
I respect her for her stance on trying to make nuclear power into a common way to generate electricity and NOT to produce weapons of war.
This book is a comfortable read even though the material is higher level. The blocking of the text with headers and the addition of graphic art to help explain and make the material memorable is very welcomed.
And here we stand, again on the cusp of another war with several nations having access to nuclear weapons and one nation having no compunction against using them.
Lise Meitner spent her whole life fighting an uphill battle for her education and her rightful place in the scientific community with her scientific writings and her discoveries in the field of nuclear science.
She is mentioned as "being bitter", but how can one not be with the continued theft of her ideas attributed to those who erased her name from the contributions she created.
I respect her for her stance on trying to make nuclear power into a common way to generate electricity and NOT to produce weapons of war.
This book is a comfortable read even though the material is higher level. The blocking of the text with headers and the addition of graphic art to help explain and make the material memorable is very welcomed.
And here we stand, again on the cusp of another war with several nations having access to nuclear weapons and one nation having no compunction against using them.
January 30, 2023
Biography of the physicist Lise Meitner whose discoveries led to the atomic age. As a woman, she had to fight for an education, work in a basement lab, and accept low pay. She moved from her home in Austria to Berlin to work at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute where she partnered with a (male) chemist. As a Jew in Nazi Germany, she was pushed further and further to the side, losing status, money, and even her home. She was able to escape to Sweden with the help of the scientific community. Today she is known as the physicist who ushered in the atomic age but she never received the recognition she was due. Although nominated several times for the Nobel Prize, her male chemist partner won the prize solo for work they had done together. After World War II, she was identified in the press as the “mother of the bomb,” a title that horrified her and she spent the last years of her life working to show that atomic energy could be useful. She ended her career as the “Grand Lady of Nuclear Physics” in her own lab in Stockholm.
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