Jurassic Girl: The Adventures of Mary Anning, Paleontologist and the First Female Fossil Hunter (Dinosaur Books for Kids 8-12)

Discover the fascinating life of 12-year-old Mary Anning, a fossil hunter who would grow up to be a famous paleontologist, in this historical fiction book for children interested in learning about dinosaurs, fossils, and women in STEM, like Grace Hopper, Marie Curie, and Jane Goodall.

At age 12, Mary Anning found the skeleton of the first ichthyosaurus, a fish-like creature that lived during the Jurassic Period. It was more than 17 feet long! But according to many of the men in London’s Geological Society, the fossil could not be real due to several reasons:

• Mary was female.
• She was 12 years old.
• She had no formal education.
• She was poor.

But that didn’t stop Mary! This story follows her journey with the ichthyosaurus and offers a look into the childhood of someone who would eventually become the ＂Mother of Paleontology.＂ Featuring friendships, fossils, and found family, Mary Anning’s tale is sure to inspire young readers and scientists alike!

Michele C. Hollow works as a journalist writing about animals, health, mental health, and the environment. Her byline has appeared in the New York Times, New York Daily News, New Jersey Monitor, the Guardian, and Symphony Magazine. She’s a member the Association of Health Care Journalists. Michele lives in New Jersey with her husband, Steven, their sons Tishon and Jordon, and their rescue cat named Chai. If you’d like to learn more about Michele, you can check out her website, MicheleCHollow.com.