Hidden Powers Lise Meitner's Call to Science

Hidden Powers is a beautifully written biography in verse that introduces young readers to Lise Meitner, a remarkable physicist whose groundbreaking work led to the discovery of nuclear fission. The book chronicles Lise's journey from a young girl dreaming of science at the turn of the 20th century, a time when women were discouraged from such careers, through her escape from Nazi Germany as a Jewish woman, and her continued scientific pursuits in exile. It highlights her perseverance, intellect, and the injustice she faced when her male partner received the Nobel Prize for their joint findings. This accessible narrative offers a poignant look at a pivotal historical figure and the challenges she overcame.

From the acclaimed author of Finding Wonders and Grasping Mysteries comes a gorgeously written biography in “deliberate, delicate verse” (Kirkus Reviews) about the pioneering Jewish woman physicist whose scientific prowess changed the course of World War II. At the turn of the 20th century, Lise Meitner dreamed of becoming a scientist. In her time, girls were not supposed to want careers, much less ones in science. But Lise was smart—and determined. She earned a PhD in physics, then became the first woman physics professor at the University of Berlin. The work was thrilling, but Nazi Germany was a dangerous place for a Jewish woman. When the risks grew too great, Lise escaped to Sweden, where she continued the experiments that she and her laboratory partner had worked on for years. Her efforts led to the discovery of nuclear fission and altered the course of history. Only Lise’s partner, a man, received the Nobel Prize for their findings, but this moving and accessible biography shows how Lise’s legacy endures.