Seeds of Discovery: How Barbara McClintock Used Corn and Curiosity to Solve a Science Mystery and Win a Nobel Prize

The quirky and singular Nobel Prize winner Barbara McClintock, a founder of modern genetics who did things her own way, is honored in this lively young STEM biography by Sibert Honor winner Lori Alexander. An ALA Notable book now in paperback! Celebrating the power of curiosity and the rewards of tenacity, this engaging and highly-illustrated biography introduces young readers to the field of genetics. As a rare female botanist in early twentieth-century America, Barbara McClintock never let other people’s notions of what was proper slow her down. When she faced doubting colleagues and unsupportive institutions, she drove across the United States, climbed through windows, and even slept in her laboratory to conduct her research. In so doing, she helped pave the way for future scientific discoveries that can cure diseases and save lives—and won a Nobel Prize in the process! Seeds of Discovery features information and substantial backmatter about the science of genetics, including: “A memorable picture of an independent woman’s life in science, as well as a clear understanding of her contributions and a vivid sense of the joy she took in making them.