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She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Rosalind Franklin!
Rosalind Franklin loved science, but when she was young, there weren't many woman scientists. Still, she persisted in pursuing her dreams, becoming a scientist and playing a key role in the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA (what we're all made up of). Though her male colleagues took credit for her work at the time, we now know just how important her discoveries were to figuring out what our DNA looks like and how it works!
In this chapter book biography by bestselling and award-winning author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, readers learn about the amazing life of Rosalind Franklin--and how she persisted.
Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Rosalind Franklin's footsteps and make a difference!
And don't miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Sally Ride, Temple Grandin, and more!
Rosalind Franklin loved science, but when she was young, there weren't many woman scientists. Still, she persisted in pursuing her dreams, becoming a scientist and playing a key role in the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA (what we're all made up of). Though her male colleagues took credit for her work at the time, we now know just how important her discoveries were to figuring out what our DNA looks like and how it works!
In this chapter book biography by bestselling and award-winning author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, readers learn about the amazing life of Rosalind Franklin--and how she persisted.
Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Rosalind Franklin's footsteps and make a difference!
And don't miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Sally Ride, Temple Grandin, and more!
- GenresBiography Memoir
80 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2022
1 person is currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
27 books2,856 followersKimberly Brubaker Bradley's next book, The Night War, will be published April 9, 2024. She is the author of nineteen previous books, including the Newbery Honor winners Fighting Words and The War that Saved My Life. The sequel to the latter, The War I Finally Won, appeared on many state-award and best-books lists and was described as “stunning” by The Washington Post and “honest” and “daring” by The New York Times. She is also the acclaimed author of She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin. Kimberly and her husband have two grown children and live with their dogs, two highly opinionated mares, and a surplus of cats on a fifty-two-acre farm in Bristol, Tennessee. Visit her at kimberlybrubakerbradley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 6, 2024
KBB gets a paycheck! She was a mid-list author for so long that this book makes sense for her to write economically, and her recent success adds gravitas to this entire Chelsea Clinton, girl power, renaissance of the children's biographical genre situation that the She Persisted series is. Go KBB!
I read this because it's by KBB and it's only forty eight minutes long on audio. That was a good forty eight minutes. Rosalind Franklin grew up rich, wanted to become a scientist, became a scientist, and did great science. Hearing about her versatility was cool; she made serious inroads in X-ray photogrammetry, coal, and DNA, among other things. She dealt with discrimination along the way and had to move labs more than most people would like, hence the versatile research fields, but.. she persisted.
I was under the impression that she was at Cambridge with Watson and Crick, but it turns out she was elsewhere, and they were simply shown her research, realized it was better than their research, revised themselves, and published before she did. Dicks.
I read this because it's by KBB and it's only forty eight minutes long on audio. That was a good forty eight minutes. Rosalind Franklin grew up rich, wanted to become a scientist, became a scientist, and did great science. Hearing about her versatility was cool; she made serious inroads in X-ray photogrammetry, coal, and DNA, among other things. She dealt with discrimination along the way and had to move labs more than most people would like, hence the versatile research fields, but.. she persisted.
I was under the impression that she was at Cambridge with Watson and Crick, but it turns out she was elsewhere, and they were simply shown her research, realized it was better than their research, revised themselves, and published before she did. Dicks.
January 16, 2024
This was my first introduction to the series. My library book club read Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict. The facilitator recommended this short book to explain some of the technical jargon used in Her Hidden Genius and to fill in more detail. It was very useful.
Rosalind Franklin was instrumental in the discovery of the DNA structure.
Rosalind Franklin was instrumental in the discovery of the DNA structure.
January 1, 2026
I vaguely knew that Rosalind Franklin was instrumental in the discovery of the double helical structure of DNA, but I didn't realize that she hadn't collaborated with Watson and Crick, and that they had in fact intentionally scooped her work and not credited her. I'm glad that the record is being set straight on this account.
I found it interesting that Franklin did such important scientific work with respect to coal, knowledge that was done during WWII, while also helping warn people of, and take care of people after, air raids. In a time of rising antisemitic violence, it was refreshing to read an account about a woman of Jewish heritage who not only significantly furthered science in the face of blatant sexism, but one who also helped to evacuate and resettle Jews who fled the Nazi regime.
The author valiantly attempts to explain matter, waves, x-ray crystallography, and DNA in lay terms. While it's probably parseable to adult readers, it's probably beyond the grasp of a lot of children in the target age group for the book.
I found it interesting that Franklin did such important scientific work with respect to coal, knowledge that was done during WWII, while also helping warn people of, and take care of people after, air raids. In a time of rising antisemitic violence, it was refreshing to read an account about a woman of Jewish heritage who not only significantly furthered science in the face of blatant sexism, but one who also helped to evacuate and resettle Jews who fled the Nazi regime.
The author valiantly attempts to explain matter, waves, x-ray crystallography, and DNA in lay terms. While it's probably parseable to adult readers, it's probably beyond the grasp of a lot of children in the target age group for the book.
August 9, 2023
I really enjoyed learning about Rosalind Franklin. I had previously thought that Watson and Crick had discovered the structure of DNA all on their own, but it was Rosalind who photographed the DNA and realized its shape. If she hadn't died from cancer, she would have won two Nobel Prizes. I was amazed at all the hard things she went through, such as studying during war and dealing with people who thought women were less deserving. I was surprised reading that some people back then thought that women working or studying were taking the place of an "imaginary" man. I also liked the analogies used in the book to help explain certain scientific terms. Wonderful book!
February 18, 2023
3 stars (I liked it)
I think this is just such a great series. I always learn so much, even if it is someone I know something about already. I knew of Rosalind Franklin very superficially so it was really interesting to get deeper into her life. I do think that, at times, this book is a little too "sciency" in that there is a lot of info dumping that I think will be hard for middle grade readers to understand.
I love the end pages with the ways you can be like Rosalind Franklin. These end pages are always pretty good but this one made me feel inspired.
I think this is just such a great series. I always learn so much, even if it is someone I know something about already. I knew of Rosalind Franklin very superficially so it was really interesting to get deeper into her life. I do think that, at times, this book is a little too "sciency" in that there is a lot of info dumping that I think will be hard for middle grade readers to understand.
I love the end pages with the ways you can be like Rosalind Franklin. These end pages are always pretty good but this one made me feel inspired.
January 25, 2024
El libro es biográfico y cortito. Cuenta la vida a muy grandes rasgos de Rosalind Franklin. Le doy 5 estrellas por 3 razones.
1.-Explica algunos conceptos complejos de una manera que no se siente tan difíciles.
2.- La nota de la autora es muy bonita, “And remember: If anyone ever tells you no, if anyone ever says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you.”
3.-Los consejos que dan al final del libro no solo le sirven a lxs niñxs sino también a las personas “adultas”.
1.-Explica algunos conceptos complejos de una manera que no se siente tan difíciles.
2.- La nota de la autora es muy bonita, “And remember: If anyone ever tells you no, if anyone ever says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you.”
3.-Los consejos que dan al final del libro no solo le sirven a lxs niñxs sino también a las personas “adultas”.
February 4, 2023
A succinct biography of Rosalind Franklin’s contributions to science and our current understanding of DNA. A good starting point for research on this famous female scientist. Great for women’s history month, or to inspire girls to preserve and stick to what they love (no matter the challenges).
August 5, 2023
I think this would be a good read for a younger reader. It uses simpler language and describes interesting personal and scientific details that help children learn who Rosalind Franklin was as a person and to learn new scientific facts that I didn’t even learn until high school.
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October 30, 2023A quick but informative look into this fascinating woman. I heard about her from another book and just wanted a quick glimpse into who she was, and this was perfect!
January 20, 2024
The woman who was behind the discovery of DNA that Watson and Crick got credit for.
February 22, 2024
Una científica que le encantaba la ciencia y ayudó a desarrollar el DNA sin mucho reconocimiento como siempre se lo dieron a un hombre el valor de todo su esfuerzo
December 1, 2024
i cried reading this 🥺💗💗💗
March 11, 2023
This chapter book on Rosalind Franklin is another great addition to the She Persisted series. It's sad that I haven't even heard of most of these truly incredible women from our history. Rosalind Franklin was a scientist and is credited with the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. Her male colleagues tried to take credit for her work, but she persisted and fought for her worthy recognition. I think some sections might be a little too technical for younger readers, but overall I found it to be an interesting and informative read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews