Lightning Mary
on Goodreads (323)
What’s inside...
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 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 fulfill 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.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
272 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What challenges did Mary face in her journey to become a paleontologist, and how did she overcome them?
Why do you think Mary was so passionate about fossils and what can we learn from her dedication?
How do you think Mary's story might have been different if she lived in today's world?
What qualities do you admire most in Mary and why?
Can you think of a time when you worked really hard to achieve something like Mary did?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own experiences and relate them to Mary's challenges and achievements.
Discuss the historical context of the story to help your child understand the different obstacles Mary faced during her time.
Highlight Mary's perseverance and passion, discussing with your child how these qualities can be applied in their own life.
Ask your child to think about what they are passionate about and how they can pursue it, drawing parallels to Mary's dedication to paleontology.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of adversity
Explanation: Mary Anning, the book's protagonist, passionately pursues her interest in fossils despite societal challenges and skepticism because of her gender and social class.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist in their interests and goals even when others doubt them or obstacles arise.
Example Lesson: Importance of education and curiosity
Explanation: Lightning Mary depicts the protagonist's self-taught knowledge in paleontology which leads her to significant discoveries. Her success is rooted in her insatiable curiosity and desire to learn.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to seek knowledge and remain curious about the world around them, emphasizing that learning can lead to great achievements.
Example Lesson: Respecting and valuing different perspectives
Explanation: Despite the initial resistance Mary faces, her perspective and contributions to science are eventually recognized and valued, teaching about the importance of diverse viewpoints.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and listen to different perspectives, understanding that each person can contribute valuable insights regardless of their background.
Example Lesson: Courage to challenge societal norms
Explanation: Mary Anning challenges the gender expectations of her time by contributing to a field dominated by men, showing courage and determination.
Real-World Application: It inspires children to be confident in their abilities and to challenge societal limits to pursue their passions.
Example Lesson: The reward of passion and hard work
Explanation: Through her dedication and relentless effort, Mary achieves recognition and changes the face of paleontology, demonstrating that hard work and passion do pay off.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to dedicate effort towards their passions and persist as hard work leads to rewarding experiences and recognition.