Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea

Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor
by Robert Burleigh
illustrated by Raul Colon
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016
Grades 2-6

This unique picture book biography written in the first person tells the story of how Marie Tharp 's love of maps and background in science led her to map the ocean floor between 1957-1977.

"At last I was a young scientist, graduated from college and eager to work. But was science ready for me? In those days it wasn't easy being both a woman and a scientist."

Readers will learn about Tharp's work using measurements or "soundings" to document the depth of the ocean. Tharp went on to confirm the theory of the continental drift.

"It felt good. I knew we were changing the way people looked at the earth."

Colon's gorgeous pencil and watercolor illustrations use texture and muted earth tones. Examples of charts and graphs are included in the illustrations, which will help children understand the science behind graphing the soundings or measurements.

Pair Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea with Look Up!: The Story of the First Woman Astronomer by Burleigh and Colon. The book may also be used in STEM programming in school and public libraries.

Visit the publisher's site to see artwork from the book.

The reviewer borrowed a copy of the book from her local library.