Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge

This inspiring picture book biography tells the little-known story of Emily Roebling, a remarkable woman who played a crucial, uncredited role in the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. When her husband, the chief engineer, became bedridden, Emily stepped up, learning complex engineering principles and supervising the massive project. The book highlights her intelligence, resilience, and determination in a time when women were not expected to pursue such fields. It's a wonderful read for children aged 4-11, offering a powerful message about breaking barriers and believing in oneself, while also introducing them to a significant piece of American history and engineering marvels.

On a warm spring day in 1883, a woman rode across the Brooklyn Bridge with a rooster on her lap. It was the first trip across an engineering marvel that had taken nearly fourteen years to construct. The woman's husband was the chief engineer, and he knew all about the dangerous new technique involved. The woman insisted she learn as well. When he fell ill mid-construction, her knowledge came in handy. She supervised every aspect of the project while he was bedridden, and she continued to learn about things only men were supposed to know: math, science, engineering. Women weren't supposed to be engineers. But this woman insisted she could do it all, and her hard work helped to create one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. This is the story of Emily Roebling, the secret engineer behind the Brooklyn Bridge, from author-illustrator Rachel Dougherty.