Maryam's Magic: The Story of Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani by Aaliya Jaleel, Megan Reid
Published by Balzer + Bray on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 0062915967
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Lovely in its presentation, Maryam’s Magic is both an inspiring and a satisfying read. This biography covers the life and accomplishments of a woman who may not be well known but readers will be glad to make her acquaintance.   As a child in Iran Maryam preferred storytelling and art to math yet she became inspired by geometry.  While young readers may not know much about geometry the delightful two-page spreads will satisfy their curiosity.

Perfect for the first biography assignment, this book is informative and full of imagery.  Gr 2-4 students will find enough information for an early book report and lots of intellectual stimulation for their own growing knowledge and math and science.   Primary school media centers need this in their STEM collection and public libraries should consider its addition to their early biography shelves.

Consider for Cream of the Crop

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME