Fossil Hunter

Born in Yorkshire, England, Cheryl Blackford developed a passion for fossils and rocks when she was 13 and wouldlater graduate with a degree in Geology. She has been fossil hunting in Lyme Regis, studied Anning artifacts and archivalmaterials in Oxford and Bristol. This is her first biography for children. She now lives in Minnesota.

"Deftly weaving in paleontological and geological facts, this riveting account presents an unflinching look at what it meant to be born poor, uneducated, female, and brilliant, at a time when women were denied the opportunity to become scientists. I couldn’t put it down.”  — Sarah Albee, NYT bestselling author of Accidental Archeologists and Bugged"Appearing on almost every page are paleo-art paintings, photos of [Anning's] fossils, a historic strata map, etchings, images from Anning’s journals, and more, that present a visual representation as exciting as her story. . . . An excellent addition to any collection where there is an interest in paleontology or ­women’s history." –Janet S. Thompson — School Library Journal"This in-depth, beautifully illustrated biography of Mary Anning sings with the passion and perseverance of the woman herself, who from girlhood on scoured the shifting cliffs of her native Dorset to dig out prehistoric mysteries and make sense of them—altering forever our view of the past." — Joyce Sidman, Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Medal winner"Well-written and thoroughly researched." — Kirkus Reviews"A personal and compelling glimpse into an important scientific mind." — Booklist