The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore (Sourcebooks, $18.99, 9781492650959), first published in 2017, won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best History, was voted U.S. librarians' favorite nonfiction book of 2017 and was named a Notable Nonfiction Book of 2018 by the American Library Association.
The Curies' newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty and wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War.
Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" are the luckiest alive--until they begin to fall mysteriously ill.
But the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women’s cries of corruption. And as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America's early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers' rights that will echo for centuries to come.
If you loved The Radium Girls, you'll love The Radium Girls: Young Readers' Edition: The Scary but True Story of the Poison that Made People Glow in the Dark by Kate Moore (Sourcebooks Explore, $10.99, 9781728209470). Published in 2020, this adaptation for young readers includes all-new material, featuring a glossary, timeline,and dozens of bonus photos.
This new edition of the national bestseller is perfect for:
Educators looking for history books for kids ages 9 to 12, nonfiction books for kids, biographies for kids, and real stories around the industrial revolution, chemistry and science.
Parents, educators and librarians looking for stories about strong women, inspiring books for girls, children's books about women in history and famous women books for girls.
Young readers who want to read one of the most inspiring and shocking narratives of the early 20th century.