The Girl Who Tested the Waters: Ellen Swallow, Environmental Scientist

Discover the eye-opening story of the first woman student at MIT--a pioneering environmental chemist sure to inspire the next generation of female trailblazers in science.

Ellen Swallow found a friend in nature and a lifelong love of science as a child exploring the woods around her family’s home. She was a voracious learner with an interest in chemistry, and continuing her education at the newly established Massachusetts Institute of Technology seemed a good fit. But in 1871, many believed that women belonged in the home, not in schools dedicated to the study of science. Ellen thought, why not both? She believed science could help solve the problems of everyday life, including the pollution she observed in Boston, so when offered the chance to study the city’s water systems, she seized it. What she found would change the way we think about clean water. In her lifetime, Ellen pioneered science education for women, advocated for a healthier environment, and helped develop the field of ecology. The Girl Who Tested the Waters, with engaging text and soft, inviting illustrations, portrays a woman ahead of her time and her tireless efforts to bring about change for good. Curious readers can find more in the back matter, including a time line, an author’s note, source notes, and a bibliography.

Patricia Daniele is an avid reader who likes to dig into and write stories about can-do people who have dared to overcome obstacles and have succeeded and inspired others. The Girl Who Tested the Waters is her debut picture book. Patricia Daniele grew up in New England and now lives with her husband on the West Coast.

Junyi Wu is the illustrator of several books, including the Newbery Honor Books Elf Dog and OwlHead by M. T. Anderson and Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker; Two Bicycles in Beijing by Teresa Robeson; and Beatrix Potter, Scientist by Lindsay H. Metcalf. Like Ellen Swallow, she loves gardening, collecting, and exploring the outdoors. Junyi Wu is from Southern California.