She Persisted: Virginia Apgar

February 15, 2021
Grades 2-5 This newest biography in the She Persisted series introduces readers to Dr. Virginia Apgar, the pediatric anesthesiologist pioneer who invented the Apgar score, the standardized measurement used to evaluate newborns in hospitals all over the world. Apgar battled institutionalized misogyny and graduated from medical school in 1933, going on to practice innovative medicine, teach, learn to fly, build her own musical instruments, advocate against the stigma of birth defects, and charm everyone who ever met her. The brief, chronological chapters and accessible text offer several anecdotes that help young readers understand what an accomplished woman she was, appreciate the importance of her contributions, and allow her wit and personality to come through. The occasional black-and-white line drawings also help move the action along. As in previous outings, the final chapter offers suggestions on how to honor Apgar's legacy: lend a hand to a family with a newborn; learn to play a musical instrument. References are also included, making this equally appealing for report writers and readers looking for role models.

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March 15, 2021
DasGupta, herself a physician, picks up her pen to add the story of pioneering female physician Virginia Apgar to the growing pantheon presented in the She Persisted series. Though the name Apgar might be familiar to many adults, young audiences meeting her for the first time will find a worthy hero in these pages. Virginia was born in New Jersey in 1909 and was a go-getter from the very start. Her family was not wealthy, but education and curiosity were prized. Even though there were very few female physicians at the time, Virginia knew from a young age that she wanted to study medicine. From childhood and through her career, she gained a reputation as a "fast talker, fast thinker and fast mover" who would let nothing stand in her way. When sexism blocked her path to a career in surgery, she pivoted to the field of anesthesiology, where she would make her greatest impact in obstetrics, pioneering the infant health assessment that now bears her name. Drawing on primary sources and refraining from speculation while always being mindful of her chapter-book audience, DasGupta offers a biography that is just right for young readers eager for independence. Flint's airy illustrations serve to illuminate the text in a charming style, depicting Apgar and most of her contemporaries as White. Tips on persistence and sources round out the book. A fast-paced tale that will spark curiosity--Dr. Apgar would approve. (Biography. 6-9)

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