Review by Booklist Review
Hailing her subject's rise to scientific prominence as destiny ("She was meant to explore," goes a recurrent line), Wallace salutes the spirit and achievements of planetary geologist Marvin, who brushed past overt gender barriers not only to earn her academic credentials but also to venture repeatedly into the depths of Antarctica in search of meteorites. Using Xrays (a first, the author claims) to analyze the mineral composition of meteorites and moon rocks, Marvin became such an authority in that field before dying in 2018 at the age of 96 that an Antarctic ridge, an asteroid, and a crater on the moon have been named after her. Carpenter depicts her smiling and selfassured, first as an outdoorsy Vermont child, then in a college class (the only woman), later studying lunar rocks fetched by Apollo astronauts, driving a snowmobile through the Transantarctic Mountains, and at last reaching for tantalizing chunks of glittering rocks and minerals floating in space. The back matter includes photos, a timeline, and a generous set of sources and resources, along with general facts about the fifth-largest continent.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Geologist Ursula Marvin (1921--2018) appears as an icon of determination in this extended account of the subject's expedition to Antarctica. After touching on Marvin's upbringing and the gender discrimination she experiences in college, comprehensive narration highlights early professional accomplishments before turning to her journey to the South Pole: "No woman had searched for meteorites at the bottom of the world. Ursula wanted to be the first." Wallace next offers an avalanche of details, including the name of the figure's snowmobile (Blue Ice) and the total of meteorites she locates in the first week (159). On the cusp of a find, Marvin breaks her leg, but passion keeps her spirits buoyed. Thick brushstrokes add texture to Carpenter's minimalist scenes, which capture the physically trying aspects of the journey. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Includes extensive back matter. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Horn Book Review
Much of what scientists know about the solar system originated in the work of geologist Ursula Marvin (1921-2018), "rock star of the universe" and one of the first to study lunar rocks. By looking at their mineral content, Marvin was able to form theories about the origins of lunar rocks and meteorites. This informative, inspiring look at a key figure in the field of planetary science begins with Marvin's childhood and touches on her time in college but focuses mainly on a 1970s scientific expedition to Antarctica to discover and analyze meteorites. The engaging and somewhat lengthy text underscores the trailblazing nature of Marvin's work, with subtle details that demonstrate how much sexism she faced. In college, for example, she switched schools when a professor blocked her from majoring in geology; and she was the only woman on the Antarctic expedition, where she was given men's clothing and was sometimes excluded from research outings. She ignored the overt discrimination and carried on with her work. The illustrations make this point visually, showing Marvin exuberantly stepping onto an aircraft with a bright pink bag or depicting her in vibrant colors amidst male colleagues dressed drably or shown in shadow. Extensive back matter includes journal excerpts, a timeline, a bibliography, and more. Julie Hakim AzzamNovember/December 2025 p.90 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A giant among geologists breaks new ground. Ursula Marvin (1921-2018) was an intrepid adventurer from the start. A Vermonter by birth, she skied over icy potato fields and marveled at the moonlit mountains beyond, positive her future held something far more exciting than the humdrum tedium of scientific inquiry. But by the time she entered college, the field of planetary geology had captivated Marvin, and she was entranced by the information that rare earth minerals and moon rocks could communicate. Her curiosity about these other worlds brought Marvin to the ends of ours. Sharp, capable, and undeterred by the sexist stumbling blocks meant to thwart her, Marvin became the first female scientist to hunt the harsh landscape of Antarctica for meteorites, chasing the adventure she'd hungered for since childhood. But achievement at such scale is rarely won without adversity, and this feat was no different. Hampered by environmental challenges and plagued by self-doubt, Marvin nevertheless stayed the course, eventually becoming the preeminent expert on the first meteorite discovered on Earth and, ultimately, the much-deserving namesake of geological wonders earthside and beyond. Wallace's text uses technical terms in context and renders the less glamorous labor that makes thrilling scientific discovery possible. Charming details peppered throughout add a personal texture to Marvin's impressive figure. Carpenter delivers stunning visuals to match, her two-page spread capturing the glow of the midnight sun especially enchanting. A luminous tribute befitting a brilliant trailblazer. (author's note, excerpts from Marvin's journals, facts about Antarctica, timeline, quote sources, bibliography, photos)(Picture-book biography. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
