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rluczyns's review against another edition
5.0
I love books that give further insight and detail into history as well as the big impact so many individual people had on scientific discoveries and historical movements. This is a beautifully illustrated story about Ernest Everett Just: a biology professor, winner of the first NAACP Spingarn Medal, the first American research scientist to be invited to the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin, and so much more.
He never let other people's expectations or the limitations of society hold him back. He had a limitless curiosity; asking thoughtful questions and seeking informed answers. He had a growth mindset; admitting his limitations, asking for help, and learning new things. His mother and family continually inspired him to persevere. He experienced hardships, loss, failure, and more but he was resilient. He also did not shy away from questioning the status quo in American society as well as what was widely accepted among scientists.
Not only is Ernest Everett Just an inspiration to aspiring biologists and research scientists as well as to anyone experiencing prejudice or adversity but I would also recommend this book to any parent/caregiver/teacher who would like a historical example of an individual who had numerous positive qualities they would also like to instill in their own child/student.
He never let other people's expectations or the limitations of society hold him back. He had a limitless curiosity; asking thoughtful questions and seeking informed answers. He had a growth mindset; admitting his limitations, asking for help, and learning new things. His mother and family continually inspired him to persevere. He experienced hardships, loss, failure, and more but he was resilient. He also did not shy away from questioning the status quo in American society as well as what was widely accepted among scientists.
Not only is Ernest Everett Just an inspiration to aspiring biologists and research scientists as well as to anyone experiencing prejudice or adversity but I would also recommend this book to any parent/caregiver/teacher who would like a historical example of an individual who had numerous positive qualities they would also like to instill in their own child/student.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed learning about a scientist I’d never heard of. Thought the writing could have been more engaging.
laurav's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a great book! I'm so mad I've never heard of Ernest Everett Just before!! What an amazing person!
safaracathasa's review against another edition
5.0
Good story about a black scientist and how he found a best-practice to learn about living things
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
3.0
Solid biography of a pioneering scientist, but to many why's left unanswered for me (i.e. he lost his ability to read at one but why? Shows him at a science laboratory with lots of races but then the next page talks about segregation, so why was this not segregated? He won an award but why is that award important?
kjewelweed's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book deeply touching. Seeing a black man depicted so lovingly was wonderful. The illustrations are gorgeous. I love the dazzling illustrations of marine animals and cells. The story of his life is inspiring without being saccharine. The truth of how hard his life was is treated honestly and delicately. This is certainly one of the most beautiful biographical picture books I’ve read.
erine's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful illustrations, and the description of a glorious and curious life. Trouble and turmoil, racism and war never stopped this biologist from continuing his work.
The history of racism in the U.S. is examined frankly, clearly illustrating how it not only harms those discriminated against, but how it makes the whole fabric of society weaker.
The history of racism in the U.S. is examined frankly, clearly illustrating how it not only harms those discriminated against, but how it makes the whole fabric of society weaker.
himissjulie's review against another edition
Beautifully rendered picture book biography of a scientist I had never heard of. I'd love for the author to write a middle grade biography, there's so much to Just's story that was left out due to the constrains of the picture book format. Still, a wonderful introduction to his life and work.
crystalisreading's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot recommend this book enough. I see a lot of books come through our library that are terrific, diverse, educational, inter-sectional books. Many with beautiful art and good research and writing. But this is all of them. All of the good things. a terrifically beautiful book, with art that is not only gorgeous, but intricately detailed with little but important facts about Ernest's life. The artist has an afterward where she explains her research and art process, and I was impressed how dedicated she was to understanding and accurately depicting not only Ernest Everett Just, but also the world and people around him, and the work that he did.
But the art wouldn't be enough on its own, which is OK, because Melina Mangal does a wonderful job capturing a really impressive man who overcame so very many obstacles and achieved so very much with his life. I was torn between wonder at his achievements and fury that I'd never heard of Dr. Just until now. His list of achievements, more explictly laid out in the author's afterword and a detailed timeline, is mind-boggling even for someone who didn't face the humble beginnings and huge amount of prejudices and obstacles that Ernest Everett Just did. Magna cum laude in biology, with minors in Greek and history from Dartmouth. Magna cum laude doctorate in zoology AND physiology. and countless other achievements, many not directly related to his primary field of study--starting a drama club. publishing poetry. Speaking and writing in at least 4 languages, by my count. He seems like a true Renaissance Man, and it's a shame that our country's racial policies, with which we still struggle, tried to limit or hold him back in so many ways.
Having read this book, I want to go out and read his biography and learn more about him in general. Even though his specific field of study has never been of particular interest to me, it's apparently foundational to many scientific developments since then (embryonic research, in vitro fertilization, and treatment of nephritis, among many others). I can only be sad that this brilliant mind was taken from us too soon (and that his name isn't more widely known) and eager to spread the word about him and about this lovely book.
But the art wouldn't be enough on its own, which is OK, because Melina Mangal does a wonderful job capturing a really impressive man who overcame so very many obstacles and achieved so very much with his life. I was torn between wonder at his achievements and fury that I'd never heard of Dr. Just until now. His list of achievements, more explictly laid out in the author's afterword and a detailed timeline, is mind-boggling even for someone who didn't face the humble beginnings and huge amount of prejudices and obstacles that Ernest Everett Just did. Magna cum laude in biology, with minors in Greek and history from Dartmouth. Magna cum laude doctorate in zoology AND physiology. and countless other achievements, many not directly related to his primary field of study--starting a drama club. publishing poetry. Speaking and writing in at least 4 languages, by my count. He seems like a true Renaissance Man, and it's a shame that our country's racial policies, with which we still struggle, tried to limit or hold him back in so many ways.
Having read this book, I want to go out and read his biography and learn more about him in general. Even though his specific field of study has never been of particular interest to me, it's apparently foundational to many scientific developments since then (embryonic research, in vitro fertilization, and treatment of nephritis, among many others). I can only be sad that this brilliant mind was taken from us too soon (and that his name isn't more widely known) and eager to spread the word about him and about this lovely book.
mrs_mazzola_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic picture book biography. Great back matter. High level vocabulary will enrich learning. I didn't know anything about Ernest Everett Just before, and his work and life were fascinating. Also, the illustrations are amazing. The only one critique that I had was that the timeline in the narrative felt a little choppy because there was so much to try to include from his interesting life. Other than that, awesome!