Wonder Women

July 1, 2016

In her latest work, Maggs (The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy) seeks to shine the spotlight on women who changed history--and give credit back to those whose work was ascribed to their male counterparts. The book is divided into five parts, each focusing on five women from various backgrounds whose contributions made a significant impact, including Q&A's with modern, noteworthy women in specific professions. Emphasizing experts of science, medicine, espionage, innovation, and adventure, these individual profiles serve as a solid introduction to each woman featured. However, readers wishing for in-depth material on specific pioneers should merely use this work as a starting point. In a down-to-earth and often humorous tone, Maggs provides a guide to scientists such as Mary Sherman Morgan, astronomer and mathematician Wang Zhenyi, and mathematician Ada Lovelace, who advanced their fields despite societal barriers to success. VERDICT This anthology of biographies on trailblazing women is likely to draw attention from a variety of readers but will especially appeal to those interested in women's history and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers.--Mattie Cook, River Grove PL, IL

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2016
Maggs (The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy, 2015) chronicles the lives of the unsung female pioneers of science, medicine, espionage, innovation, and adventure in this collection. Each chapter contains five biographical sketches of prominent women in the STEM fields, followed by a series of one-paragraph profiles of additional notable women. The chapters end with an interview with a prominent contemporary woman in the field, with advice for young women interested in pursuing a career in a STEM field. Very few of the subjects will be well-known to the casual reader, and in keeping with the statement that Maggs makes in her introduction about the importance of representation, a number of the women profiled in the book are from diverse backgrounds. Maggs' slangy, casual prose and her use of wink-wink nudge-nudge phrases (she repeatedly refers to lesbian couples as just gals bein' pals! ) keep the tone informal, rather than dry. The format could be limiting in lesser hands, but Maggs condenses these storied lives effectively, and young feminists and supporters of women in STEM will applaud.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)