Manya's Dream: A Story of Marie Curie. Frieda Wishinsky. Illustrated by Jacques Lamontagne. Toronto, ON: Maple Tree Press, 2003. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $6.95 (pbk.), $19.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-894379-54-3 (pbk.), ISBN 1-894379-53-5 (cl.). Subject Headings: Curie, Marie, 1867-1934-Juvenile literature. Chemists-Poland-Biography-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-7 / Ages 8-12. Review by Christina Neigel. ***1/2 /4

excerpt:

Manya couldn't believe it! A whole year with no studies, no responsibilities, and no Russian rules. She enjoyed every minute. For one year, she didn't think of anything except hiking, dancing, swimming, and having a good time.

But when that year was up, she had to face her future again. The choices didn't look any better than they had a year before.

Like Wishinksy's earlier work, What's the Matter with Albert? A Story of Albert Einstein, Manya's Dream tells the story of a great twentieth century mind. Manya Skodowska, later known throughout the world as Marie Curie, had very humble beginnings as her family struggled to survive both physically and intellectually in Poland during the Russian occupation of the late nineteenth century. Recognizing that they could not thrive in Poland, Manya and her sister, Bronya, established a plan that enabled both women to study science in Paris. After years of toil, Manya established herself as a respected physicist winning two Nobel Peace Prizes.

     Overcoming the challenging task of making "reality" interesting to children, Wishinsky describes Manya's life with carefully chosen details that do not hide or trivialize Manya's struggles and accomplishments. The book is structured as a story that extends beyond the simple recital of biographical facts. Readers experience Wishinsky's interpretation of Manya's feelings, her ambitions, fears, and determination.

     Complementing the text is, once again, Jacques Lamontagne. Using the same "Rockwellian" illustrations seen in What's the Matter with Albert?, Lamontagne successfully completes Wishinsky's textual recreation of Manya's world.

     Mirroring the structure of What's the Matter with Albert?, there is an opening comment on the life of Marie Curie and a timeline at the end of her tale outlining Curie's major life events. The book ends with an inspirational quote from Marie Curie that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers. An excellent resource for children seeking insight into the mind of a pioneer female scientist.

Highly Recommended.

Christina Neigel is an instructor for the Library Technician and Information Technology program at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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