Sisters in Science: Marie Curie, Bronia Dluska, and the Atomic Power of Sisterhood

by Linda Elovitz Marshall, Anna Balbusso (Illustrator), Elena Balbusso (Illustrator)

Discover the fascinating true story of Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie and her sister Bronia, two trailblazing women who worked together and made a legendary impact on chemistry and health care as we know it.

Marie Curie has long been a well-known name around the world. Though Marie made extraordinary scientific advances discovering new elements with her husband, Pierre, many students do not know about the powerful bond that propelled her into her sisterhood with Bronia! A force in academia and health care herself, Bronia made significant contributions to the scientific world, along with her loving support of sister Marie. 

Sisters in Science is a compelling biography of two sisters who created their own paths while keeping the atomic bonds of sisterhood strong.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Science, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Stem

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 14, 2023

About the author

I have always loved words. My parents said I spoke in full sentences before I was a year old. They also said I didn't walk until I was two.

I was still a baby when I saw a TV commercial about a vacuum cleaner and its expandable bag. That night, my parents begged me to eat "just one more bite." I refused. Using a phrase I'd learned from the vacuum cleaner commercial, I explained, "My stomach is fully expanded." My parents laughed...and I was saved from having to eat that dreadful "one more bite."

My love of words extended to foreign languages. I was one of those kids who loved school. I loved Hebrew school, too. Learning Hebrew taught me that words can be composed of roots and that those roots can change, often in predictable ways. I noticed some of the rules I'd learned in Hebrew applied to English, too. I also love word games, puzzles, and etymology, learning about the origins of words.

Some of my other favorite things include being outside, exploring, and being around animals. When I was a child, I wanted a horse. I didn't get one. But when I grew up, my husband and I moved to a farm. That's where we raised our four children...and sheep, chickens, and rabbits. It's also where some of my stories are based.

I also love teaching and have taught all ages, from babies through college. I've taught parents, too.

When I write stories, I combine so many of the things I love. I'm always learning and exploring...and having a fabulous time!

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sisters in Science tells the story of Marie Skłodowska Curie and her sister Bronia Skłowdowska Dłuska, who put each other through the Sorbonne. I hadn't known much about Marie's sister before; she was a doctor, and started a hospital with her husband in Poland, and the Curies gave the hospital some of their Nobel prize money. I enjoyed learning about their relationship and how they encouraged each other to pursue medicine and scientific research. The illustrations are striking and I love the color palette (and that they were done by twin sisters) but they lack just a bit of expressiveness.

Back matter includes a timeline, abbreviated list of works cited, and a biographical note about the author, who was inspired to write about Marie Skłodowska Curie when she had to leave a PhD program to receive cancer treatment, which built on Marie's discoveries.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are a 5

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to learn that Marie Curie had a sister who was also interested in science. Albiet for Bronia, her interests were in biology and medicine.

Marshall's book brings to light the years before Marie married Pierre Curie and the parallel achievements of her sister Bronia (married name Dluska). The sisters grew up in Warsaw where they participated in the "Flying University," which was a roving secret universities for young Polish women who were not allowed to study in formal universities or in homes openly. Mare and Bronia then studied in France at the Sorbonne, a university that accepted women. They took turns providing financial support for one while the other studied.

The second half of the book has a bit more detail on Marie. (She did receive two Nobel Prizes.) However, there are small details about Bronia's work, but the book mainly focuses on the time as adults that Bronia supported Marie or collaborated with her. Notably, Bronia travels to Paris after Pierre Curie's death to support her sister and to convince Sorbonne to let Marie take over Pierre's classes as an instructor, making Marie the first woman to teach at the Sorbonne.

The illustrations by Anna and Elana Balbusso (twin sisters) are beautiful, bright, detailed, and engaging.

The back matter contains the following: Timeline, PArtial List of Works Consulted (books, websites, places to visit via URLs), and a personal note about the author's growing interest in Madame Curie, starting with receiving a cancer diagnosis via X-ray--a technology developed by Marie and employed in WWI.

This book has appeal to readers of all ages, but I can see girls 11 to 13 with an interest (or potential interest) in STEM being particularly drawn to this book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a 3.5 for me. I'm pleased to see both women, the subject of this biography, receive such recognition. Not only were Marie Curie and Bronia Dluska of Poland actual sisters, but they were also united through an interest in science, something quite unusual for the time period during which they lived. This picture book, filled with unusually striking mixed media illustrations created with traditional methods using gouache, watercolor, brush, pencil, pen, and collage and then digitally combined, follows the sisters as they grow up in Warsaw, teach themselves, attend a secret university specializing in math and the sciences, and then make a pact so that both of them will be able to obtain advanced degrees. Bronia attends the Sorbonne first, and then Marie follows her with Bronia providing financial support. Their lives and paths diverge, with Bronia working in medicine and opening a hospital while Marie studies the atom and discovers radioactivity. While it's clear that Bronia herself made important contributions, most of the book focuses on Marie, leaving readers to wish for a bit more about Bronia and her work. The story of their bond and their unusual agreement that both would find a way to attend the university is told in an engaging, conversational tone as though the author were privy to their secrets and has just now decided to share them with readers. For teachers in search of STEM-related titles, this one will fit the bill with its sense of wonder and discovery, those colorful images, and endpapers that fit Marie's work perfectly.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I could give this a better rating but so many things to see if you've read books on Curie.

It was "the Floating (NOT Flying)University."

Pierre Curie didn't "die suddenly," he was killed in a street accident.

Curie's 2 daughters aren't mentioned. (And her daughter Irene continued her work, and she too won a Nobel with her husband!

The fact that she died of radiation related illness is left out. She and Bronia just go on forever, I guess.

And yes, a lot of information is filled in at the end of the book. But will people read that?"

The story is told in a sickly sweet way with far too many BOLD FACED TYPE WORDS and too many exclamation points!!!!!!!!!! And while truthfully Bronia did help raise Marie after their mother died, (something else that gets glossed over) and always supported her, it really is stretching the facts to refer to it as "the atomic power of sisterhood."

The art looks a bit stiff and almost primitive in its styling. A few pages have softer notes--I particularly liked the one of Pierre and Marie on their bicycling honeymoon and the scene of Marie driving her mobile x-ray van in WWI.

A nice idea that doesn't work as well as it might have. Nonetheless the "girl power/STEM" fans will give it better reviews than it deserves.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot about Marie Curie through the years, but never had I heard this fascinating story about a pact between Marie and her equally dedicated sister Bronia! Bronia and Marie lived in a time when most educational doors were closed to women. They found a secret university to attend, before their studies demanded more rigor and it was time to find one of the real universities open to women—the Sorbonne in Paris. This is when they made their pact. Because they didn’t have enough money to enroll at the same time, they decided that each would support the other through their degree, and then switch roles. After Bronia earned her degree in medicine, she had to remind Marie of her promise and convince her to go to school! Without her sister’s insistence, Marie Curie might never have become a scientist—the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize and the first female teacher at the Sorbonne! Linda Marshall’s author’s note is especially poignant in her revelation of a very personal connection to this groundbreaking scientist. Highly recommend!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book has extraordinary illustrations, and I love how the illustrators incorporated lots of scientific motifs and details into the pictures. The text is less inspired but perfectly fine, sharing information about Marie Curie and her sister, and how they supported each other.

The rest of the book focuses on Curie's career and her discoveries regarding radiation, but there is no mention in the book or in the author's note that radiation is dangerous, or that Curie died of a disease related to her radiation exposure. Those are unpleasant details, of course, but they are factual and ought to be included. Any child who is old enough to read this book and understand the scientific concepts it explains is also old enough to learn that exposure to radiation can cause harm.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie and Bronia were sisters born in Warsaw in the late 19th century. Girls were not allowed to study, so they learned all they could on their own, then made a pact each to support the other as she studied at the Sorbonne.
Marie was the first woman to teach university classes and developed a x-ray machine which worked from a battery. It was useful on the battlefields of World War I.
Illustrations and end papers have geometric atom shapes throughout. Variety of colors.
Back matter.

[Hilary Margitich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. A really interesting nonfiction picture book that follows the lives of Marie Curie and her sister, Bronia. What these women did, and how they managed to do it! The story is told with finesse. I especially enjoyed the illustrations and the Author's Note at the end. To sisterhood!!!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind every famous person we learn about are an entire community of people that also played a significant role in their successes. I love learning about these lesser known but equally important individuals. Bronia Dluska was an amazing woman who was a trailblazer in science in her own right. But reading about how the 2 sisters supported and encouraged each other was beautiful!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Curie and her sister Bronia Dluska were both curious and wanted to make the world better. They wanted to find cures for disease. Bronia became a doctor, and Marie became a researcher. They helped put each other through college and supported one another in every endeavor. This is a beautiful, true story of brilliant women who were also good sisters, loyal and unselfish.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot of information here to fit into a picture book format, but this inspiring and enlightening book does a great job of highlighting the info that will interest young readers in particular. Enjoyable and educational.

[Susanna Skarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story focusing on their relationships and the obstacles they needed to overcome. The illustrations are fabulous. Overall, it's a good introduction of Marie Curie to a young audience who won't fully understand the science.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting biographical picture book about Marie Curie and her older sister, Bronia. After the death of their mother, they both planned to study science and medicine and support each other in their endeavors. Great art and back matter.

[Reshamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully illustrated non fiction tale about sisterhood, family and Marie's scientific journey. A different slice of life look at her life.. inspirational read for kids, must read for classroom and home libraries!

[Melinda Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows the commitment to science and medicine by the sisters Marie Curie and Bronia Dluska. This story not only broke barriers but paved the way for future generations. Excellent example for girls as it portrays the power of resilience and sibling support and achieving great things.

[Lauredhel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice art; clunky text. Kids deserve better.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sisters in Science has stunning illustrations. We loved reading it as a follow on to reading Eve's biography of her mother.
I read this at the library but I am adding this to my "want to buy" list!

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best children’s books about women in science I’ve ever read. Doesn’t beat you over the head with the fact that it was difficult to make it as women, just subtly mentions it.

[Heidi Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring biography of two sisters, Marie Curie and Bronia Dluska, who were trailblazers in science and academia. The illustrations are stunning!

[Ksenia]

Really loved the illustrations and the mixed media in this picture book. And any book showcasing the importance of such important Polish women is a super plus for me.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shared biography of two sisters who changed the world of science and medicine in their relentless quest to bring forth a better world, and better living.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful and fit the tone and content of the book. And the information is accurate, while at the same time the story flows smoothly.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Maria and Bronia grew up in Poland at a time when women did not have many opportunities to pursue higher education, but were fortunate to have a father who supported their desire to study science after the death of their mother and sister. Bronia wants to become a doctor, and Marie wanted to become a researcher. They taught themselves and made a pact to help support each other while they studied at the Sorbonne. Bronia studied while Marie worked as a tutor, but when Bronia graduated, Marie wanted to stay in Poland, but Bronia reminded her of their goals. Maria did well in Paris, studying physics, chemistry, and math. Eventually, Marie married coworker Pierre Curie, and stayed in Paris while her sister returned to Poland to take care of their father. The Curies discovered and worked with radioactivity, and Bronia opened a hospital, and when the Curies won a Nobel Prize for their work, some of the prize money was given to help Bronia's hospital. When World War I breaks out, the sisters are both able to help out thousands of soldiers thanks to their scientific training, which was only possible because of the strong family bond that helped them support each other.

Biographies are a great way to get a feel for life in earlier times, and young readers will see through Marie and Bronia's life how things were different for young women in the late 1800s and early 1900s. While the text of the book gives a brief overview of what the two women accomplished, there is a good timeline of their lives at the back. It would have been nice to have stated the year at the beginning of the book, but the pictures of old fashioned clothing will let readers know that these were not contemporary individuals.

The Balbusso twins illustrations are very attractive, and contain plenty of details that place them at an earlies point of time. There are fun additions, like the lace patterns on the women's collars that mimic atoms! Scientific motifs are used as overlays throughout the book with good effect.

This is a great addition to the library of any young feminist who is being encouraged to pursue scientific studies! Shelve this alongside Pelham's Black Women in Science, Skeers' Dinosaur Lady, Keating's Shark Lady, and Allary's The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this different take on these to women. we know a lot about Marie Curie and it was a pleasure to get to know her sister. Just an amazing book with amazing women!

[Cindi]

Loved learning more about Marie Curie and about her sister. Great book for children and adults alike.