Finding Wonders

By Jeannine Atkins,

Book cover of Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science

Book description

This "evocative and beautiful" (School Library Journal) novel "vividly imagines the lives of three girls" (Booklist, starred review) in three different time periods as they grow up to become groundbreaking scientists.

Maria Merian was sure that caterpillars were not wicked things born from mud, as most people of her time…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Finding Wonders as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

After each tale in Atkins’ sumptuous book of historical fiction, I wanted to rush out and discover new things. These three real girl scientists pushed past obstacles in their young years to successfully build themselves into naturalists, lifting my heart and reminding me of the importance of the few family and friends who championed their journeys.

As a poet myself, I savored how the tales–about a discoverer of butterflies, fossils, and stars–are written in verse, creating a lush blend of words, history, and science. If there’s one good thing about centuries of inequality for women in science, it’s that when…

Want books like Finding Wonders?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Finding Wonders.

Browse books like Finding Wonders

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in astronomers, women in the sciences, and naturalists?

Astronomers 25 books
Naturalists 25 books