Rachel Carson: Environmental Pioneer

By Lori Hile

This book takes an engaging look at the work of ground-breaking conservationist, Rachel Carson, and her work to uncover the dangers of pesticides. It covers Carson's inspiration, her methods, findings, and the impact of her work on the environment movement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Aug 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781484665893

Book preview

Women in Conservation: Rachel Carson by Lori Hile

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Who Was Rachel Carson?

How Did Carson Spend Her Childhood?

How Did College Inspire Carson?

How Did Carson’s Writing Help Her Work in Science?

How Did Carson Become Famous?

How Did Carson Warn the Public About Pesticides?

What Was the Reaction to Silent Spring?

What Is Carson’s Legacy?

Timeline

Glossary

Find Out More

Index

Copyright

Back Cover

Cover

Title Page

Contents

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back cover

Who Was Rachel Carson?

From the time she was a little girl, Rachel Carson wanted to be an author. She also loved exploring the natural world. After college, Carson combined these two passions. She wrote books and articles that introduced readers to the oceans and all the creatures that depend upon them. And she asked readers to help preserve and protect oceans and ocean life from pollution.

Rachel Carson holding up a jar and looking at it.

Even after Rachel Carson became a famous author and scientist, she felt most at home in nature.

But it was Carson’s final book that made the biggest impact on the way people thought about the natural world. The book was called Silent Spring. In it, Carson asked readers to imagine the sounds of a spring morning without the rustle of rabbits, the buzz of bees, or the twitter of songbirds. She warned that this could happen. Human-made poisons called pesticides were leaking into the earth and killing birds, foxes, and other wildlife. Because we depend on nature, Carson believed humans could also be harmed. Her book alerted the public to a critical problem. It also helped inspire the environmental movement.

An unlikely crusader

Carson seemed like an unlikely crusader. She was reserved, soft-spoken, and shy. She felt more comfortable behind her writing desk or wading in tide pools than giving presentations or interviews. But Carson was a trained scientist with a deep love of nature. And she had a gift for making even the most complicated scientific information understandable to readers.

So, when she learned that there was a problem that could harm the natural world, Carson could not remain silent. This is her remarkable story.

In her own words

Explaining her decision to become a public figure, Carson said:

"Knowing the facts as