Lightning Mary

Mary Anning was a poor girl who hunted for fossils on the Dorset coast and made important discoveries despite facing tragedy and discrimination. She became a respected scientist in a time when women were not allowed to pursue such ambitions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2019
Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd

Ordinary is what most people are, and I am not. I am not ordinary at all. I am a scientist.

One stormy night, a group of villagers is struck by lightning. The only survivor is a baby named Mary Anning. From that moment on, a spark is lit within her.

Growing up poor but proud on the windswept Dorset coast, Mary follows after her father, hunting for fossils uncovered by waves and landslides: ancient creatures, turned to stone. Ignoring other people's taunts, Mary faces danger to bring back valuable treasures to help feed her family. But tragedy and despair are never far away.

Mary must depend upon her unique courage and knowledge to fulfill her dream of becoming a scientist in a time when girls have no opportunities for such ambitions. What will happen when she makes her greatest discovery of all?

With a factual section about Mary Anning, her life, and the discoveries she made.

Mary Anning was an English paleontologist and geologist who made significant contributions to the field of paleontology during the 19th century. She was born in Lyme Regis, Dorset, in 1799, and grew up in a poor family. Despite her humble beginnings, Mary had a passion for science and a remarkable talent for finding and preserving fossils.

At the age of 11, Mary began working as a maid for a local doctor and was allowed to accompany him on his fossil hunting expeditions. She quickly became skilled at identifying and collecting fossils, and her discoveries attracted the attention of prominent scientists of the time.

One of Mary's most significant discoveries was the discovery of the first complete skeleton of a plesiosaur, a marine reptile that had been extinct for millions of years. This discovery was made in 1824, and it helped to establish Mary as a leading paleontologist.

In addition to her work on plesiosaurs, Mary Anning made many other important discoveries, including the discovery of the first complete skeleton of a pterosaur, a flying reptile, and the discovery of the first fossilized eggs of a bird.

Mary Anning's contributions to paleontology were significant, and she faced many challenges and obstacles throughout her career. She was often marginalized and discriminated against by male scientists, who were skeptical of her abilities and her contributions to the field.

Despite these challenges, Mary Anning remained committed to her work and continued to make important discoveries. She was recognized for her contributions to science and was awarded numerous honors and awards, including the Royal Society's Copley Medal in 1847.

Mary Anning's life and work serve as an inspiration to many people, particularly women and girls who are interested in science and engineering. She showed that with hard work, dedication, and a passion for science, anyone can achieve great things, regardless of their background or circumstances.

In conclusion, Mary Anning was a remarkable woman who made significant contributions to the field of paleontology during the 19th century. Her discovery of the first complete skeleton of a plesiosaur and her many other important discoveries helped to establish her as a leading paleontologist. Despite facing many challenges and obstacles throughout her career, Mary remained committed to her work and inspired many people with her passion for science.

Weight: 220g
Dimension: 129 x 196 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783448296