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Writer's pictureSTEAMatWORK4KIDS

Teresa Robeson Writes Science Stories

Updated: Dec 18, 2021


Meet Teresa Robeson

Freelance Author


This project:

QUEEN OF PHYSICS: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom








Teresa Robeson wanted to be a scientist when she was 12 years old. She chose another path. Teresa became a writer. Now she writes about science. She writes about people who didn’t listen to those who said they would fail. Teresa tells true stories of heroes who made their dreams come true anyway.

Teresa wants to inspire her readers to “tap into their inner strength.”

Teresa’s picture book, Queen of Physics, tells the story of Wu Chien Shiung. She was born in China in 1912. Chien Shuing’s life wasn’t easy. She immigrated to the United States when she was 24. She wanted to study the science of atoms. She did not listen to people who tried to stop her from doing the work she loved. She remembered her father’s advice. “Ignore the obstacles. Just keep your head down and keep walking forward.” Chien Shiung succeeded. In 1963, Newsweek magazine called her the Queen of Physics.



Teresa is on the left, with a big book

Teresa wrote about Chien Shiung to inspire kids to believe in their dreams. She knows how hard that can be. Teresa is also an immigrant from China. She moved to Canada from Hong Kong when she was 8. Some people were unkind to her because she looks different, calling her mean names or ignoring her. Teresa wants to inspire her readers to “tap into their inner strength.” Break down the barriers that keep us from our dreams. Work hard and keep believing in yourself.



What kind of hard work will make you an author? Teresa’s advice to young writers is to write every day. Practice will make you better, even if what you write isn’t always good. “Musicians get better by practicing daily, and so do writers.” And read a lot. The more you read, the more you will understand how to write. You will find your own voice.


Photo permission from Teresa Robeson




Read these books to learn more . . .


 


Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom

By Teresa Robeson

When Wu Chien Shiung was born in China 100 years ago, most girls did not attend school; no one considered them as smart as boys. But her parents felt differently. Giving her a name meaning “Courageous Hero,” they encouraged her love of learning and science. This engaging biography follows Wu Chien Shiung as she battles sexism and racism to become what Newsweek magazine called the “Queen of Physics” for her work on beta decay. Along the way, she earned the admiration of famous scientists like Enrico Fermi and Robert Oppenheimer and became the first woman hired as an instructor by Princeton University, the first woman elected President of the American Physical Society, the first scientist to have an asteroid named after her when she was still alive, and many other honors. Visit Teresa's website or her Amazon author page.

Winner - 2020 Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature Picture Book!

An NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended book!





. . . budding authors might like these books . . .



 

(Look in your library for books in the 808 numbers, especially these books.)



by Kate Messner

Accomplished storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel playfully chronicle the process of becoming a writer in this fun follow-up to How to Read a Story, guiding young storytellers through the joys and challenges of the writing process. From choosing an idea, to creating a problem for their character to resolve, to coming to The End, this empowering picture book breaks down the writing process in a dynamic and accessible way, encouraging kids to explore their own creativity—and share their stories with others! Visit Kate Messner's website or visit her Amazon author's page.


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by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter

After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice,accomplished authors Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter joined together to create this guidebook for young writers. The authors mix inspirational anecdotes with practical guidance on how to find a voice, develop characters and plot, make revisions, and overcome writer's block. Fun writing prompts will help young writers jump-start their own projects, and encouragement throughout will keep them at work.

Visit Anne Mazer's website or visit Ellen Potter's website.




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by Dan Gutman

With more than 10 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading!

The ability to put thoughts into writing is an essential skill vital to success in school—from elementary school through college. Bestselling author Dan Gutman helps kids master this important skill with his fun, informative writing guide, My Weird Writing Tips. Dan offers tricks for spelling hard words, understanding the difference between similar words like “its” and “it’s,” and conquering grammar stumbling blocks like commas and apostrophes. He also teaches readers how to write an engaging story, in line with the grades 2–5 Common Core goals for writing a narrative. Visit Dan Gutman's website or visit his Amazon author page.







. . . and visit these websites.



 


Spin for story ideas with this Scholastic Books website



Nature Writing Tips for Children from Award-Winning Author Gill Lewis



Wimpy Kid Boom Writing Tips #6 from Jeff Kinney (There are more, just google to find them.)



Mo Willems answers kids' questions about writing (Mo Willems wrote Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the School Bus.)

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