School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-In fourth-century C.E. Egypt, women had few opportunities. How Hypatia, daughter of mathematician Theon, became one of the greatest philosophers of her day makes fascinating reading. The opening text, accentuated by a map of Egypt and a painting of the Mediterranean coast, introduces cultural life. A somewhat modern pictorial interpretation of Theon, his wife, baby, and a pet dog transition to Theon's insistence that his daughter be educated like any boy just as soon as she started to walk. Hypatia mastered fishing, riding a horse, and rowing, but her father had bigger plans. His daughter studied literature, writing, and natural science before discovering her passion in the "sentences made not of words, but of numbers"-mathematics. She learned arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy. Finally, she studied philosophy and oration and began using all her skills to write and teach, spreading her fame through the world. Love presents factual information about Hypatia and does not fictionalize details about her personality or thoughts, about which little is known since few primary documents survive. With just a picture walk through the book, readers will understand how many subjects her education encompassed. Attractive paintings add life to a clear and captivating text that offers a unique contribution to units about Egypt, philosophers, or women in history.-Julie R. Ranelli, Kent Island Branch Library, Stevensville, MD (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
This look at the life of the fourth-century C.E. Egyptian mathematician Hypatia features plentiful historical details and beautifully composed tableaux. Unfortunately, it reads like a list of Hypatia's accomplishments and, bereft of scenes, lacks momentum. Ironically, the fact (buried in an author's note) that she was killed for her perceived heresy might have provided the dramatic arc this book needs. Bib. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
An attractive and engaging biographical sketch of a significant woman about whom tantalizingly little can be known. Hypatia was born in Alexandria, Egypt in the late fourth century to a father who vowed to teach her everything he knew. That included not only grammar, mathematics and philosophy, but how to spear a fish, ride a horse and steer a boat, subjects women were simply not taught. She became renowned for her learning and many came to study with her. The bright, elegant acrylics take something from Egyptian and something from Greek inspiration, and have a properly hieratic effect. While the politics of Hypatia's death remain controversial, the fact that she was murdered by a mob in a.d. 415 is relegated to an author's note. Unfortunately, the author has felt it necessary to add dialogue and emotions she cannot possibly know, but the core biography is a worthy contribution to women's history. (author's note, more about math, resources) (Picture book/biography. 5-9) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Gr. 1-3. Hypatia was born in fourth-century Alexandria, a society that did not value women's education. Blessed with an unusual father, a university professor who was determined to teach her everything he knew, she studied fishing and horseback riding as well as poetry, mathematics, science, and philosophy. As an adult, she became a respected scholar and, later, a symbol of learned women. Appended notes describe Hypatia's violent death, comment on ancient mathematics, and name some of the author's sources. With decorative motifs reminiscent of ancient Greek and Egyptian art, the stylized acrylic paintings create a sense of Hypatia's world. Children may need help to get much out of lines such as In search of true wisdom, she read the pronouncements of the oracles . . . . Still, this attractive picture-book biography offers a rare glimpse of an educated, celebrated woman in a time and place rarely presented in books for young children. --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2006 Booklist
