Lightning Mary

Anthea Simmons

Winner of the middle grade STEAM Book Prize

Ordinary is what most people are and I am not. I am not ordinary at all. I am a scientist.

One stormy night, a group of villagers are struck by lightning. The only survivor is a baby - Mary Anning. From that moment on, a spark is lit within her.
Growing up poor but proud on the windswept Dorset coast, Mary follows after her father, hunting for fossils uncovered by waves and landslips: ancient creatures, turned to stone. Ignoring other people's taunts, Mary faces danger to bring back valuable treasures to help feed her family. But tragedy and despair is never far away. Mary must depend upon her unique courage and knowledge to fulfil her dream of becoming a scientist in a time when girls have no opportunities for such ambitions. What will happen when she makes her greatest discovery of all...?

With a factual section about Mary Anning, her life, and the discoveries she made.

Reviews

"Anthea Simmons tells Mary’s story as an exciting adventure and also as a rousing story of what an intelligent and brave woman can do."
LoveReading4Kids, Julia Eccleshare

"Anning’s strong, idiosyncratic personality bursts forth from the opening pages of this bold first-person narrative"
Kirkus

"An intriguing insight into a fascinating figure from history: Mary is a bold, brilliant and truly inspiring heroine."

"Lightning Mary is a rewarding novelization of how Mary Anning became one of the first people to discover dinosaurs. Full, imaginative writing opens up Mary’s world"
Foreword Reviews

"Mary is a fascinating character and in Simmons’ hands, she rips up the page with her determination and strength"
Irish Independent