Remembering Rosalind Franklin - by Tanya Lee Stone (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An inspiring nonfiction picture book about Rosalind Franklin, the groundbreaking chemist who helped discover the structure of DNA"--

Book Synopsis

A CBC-NSTA Editors' Outstanding Science Trade Book for 2025 - An inspiring picture book biography about Rosalind Franklin, the groundbreaking chemist who helped discover the structure of DNA, by the award-winning, bestselling author of Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?

★ "[A] compelling introduction to an extraordinary scientist." --Booklist, starred review

Rosalind Franklin was a Jewish scientist with a remarkable talent as a chemist. Although there were few women working in this field in the 1950s, Franklin, using crystallography, captured an image that held the secret to unlocking the structure of DNA: the double helix. Her Photo 51 was used by her male colleagues without her knowledge, and they went on to win the Nobel Prize, while Franklin never found out how instrumental her work was to the discovery of the double helix. This incredible story uncovers the life and work of an extraordinary scientist, rightfully celebrating her landmark contributions to history.

★ "Poignant ... Enlightening .... students with an appreciation for learning about lesser-known historical figures and an interest in science will find inspiration in Franklin's resilience. Remember Rosalind? She's unforgettable." --School Library Journal, starred review

★ "As she weaves science and history, Tanya Lee Stone unravels dual mysteries centering on the double helix: how the 'secret of life...makes you--YOU' and how a 'twist of fate' triggered Rosalind Franklin's posthumous recognition." --Horn Book, starred review

"[An] inspiring picture book biography introducing Rosalind Franklin's groundbreaking life to young readers." --A Mighty Girl

CCBC Choice 2025
Booklist Editors' Choice 2024
School Library Journal Best Nonfiction Elementary 2024
NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book
2025 Rise: A Feminist Book Project Booklist
Finalist for the Vermont Book Award
Chicago Public Library Best Books 2024

Review Quotes

Praise for Remembering Rosalind Franklin:

• A CBC-NSTA Editors' Outstanding Science Trade Book
• Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
• Horn Book Fanfare Selection
• School Library Journal Best Nonfiction for Elementary Students
• CCBC Choice 2025

"[A] compelling introduction to an extraordinary scientist. Award-winning author Stone introduces younger readers to molecular biologist Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray diffraction photograph illuminating the double helix structure of DNA led to Watson and Crick receiving the Nobel Prize.... Stone emphasizes Franklin's dedication to her work, her love of the outdoors, and her continuing efforts to ignore the slights from her male colleagues. Powers' watercolor illustrations feature a pastel palette ... resulting in a pleasing, nostalgic feel. An author's note provides additional information about Franklin and details the Matilda effect, which explains how women's accomplishments are often systematically overlooked."--Booklist, starred review

"This incredible story uncovers the life and work of an extraordinary scientist, rightfully celebrating her landmark contributions to history. The award-winning, bestselling author of Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors has created an inspiring picture book biography introducing Rosalind Franklin's groundbreaking life to young readers."

--A Mighty Girl

"A beautifully illustrated picture book biography exploring science history and feminism."--Book Riot

* "This poignant picture book unveils the life of the gifted molecular biologist, Rosalind Franklin, born in London, to a large and supportive Jewish family, renowned for capturing the X-ray diffraction photograph that illuminated the double helix structure of DNA ... students with an appreciation for learning about lesser-known historical figures and an interest in science will find inspiration in Franklin's resilience. Remember Rosalind? She's unforgettable."
--School Library Journal, starred review

* "As she weaves science and history, Stone unravels dual mysteries centering on the double helix: how the 'secret of life...makes you--YOU' and how a 'twist of fate' triggered Franklin's posthumous recognition. Realistically rendered characters and period details set the story in its mid-twentieth-century milieu, while experimental techniques offer evocative visual commentary.... Powers's accompanying fairy tale-esque castle, adorned with scientific instruments, foreshadows a time in which readers are empowered to interrogate the historical record and reclaim the stories of little-heralded figures."
--The Horn Book, starred review

"Readers will come away with a clear understanding of Franklin's contributions, as well as her distinctive scientific skills and background.... A warmly appreciative tribute to a renowned scientist."

--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Tanya Lee Stone has loved writing about women pushing boundaries in books such as Elizabeth Leads the Way, Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?, The House That Jane Built, Who Says Women Can't Be Computer Programmers?, and Pass Go and Collect $200. Her work has received numerous accolades, including a Robert F. Sibert Medal, an NAACP Image Award, NCTE Orbis Pictus Honors, a Bank Street College Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, and a Jane Addams Children's Book Award. She lives in Burlington, Vermont. Stone has a PhD in creative writing and runs the writing program at Champlain College. She invites you to visit her online at tanyastone.com.

Gretchen Ellen Powers has illustrated The Boxcar Children's 75th anniversary edition as well as Summer's Call (about her beloved Mitten State). History has always held a special place in her heart, so she loved illustrating Rosalind's story and shining a light on a marvelous woman whose contributions have too long been cast in the shadows. She lives with her family in a farmhouse among the tall trees and the music of the lake of southwest Michigan. She invites you to visit her online at gretchenellenpowers.com.