The Girl Who Could Fix Anything

Written by Mara Rockliff · Illustrated by Daniel Duncan

Can one woman's engineering genius turn the tide of World War II?

4.3/5 Goodreads · 225 ratings

48 pages· 648 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

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Bookroo's summary

Beatrice Shilling defies expectations with her mechanical genius, but can she convince the Royal Aircraft Establishment to trust her innovations? As World War II rages, British pilots face dire challenges in the skies. With the fate of a nation hanging in the balance, Beatrice must solve a critical engine problem. Will her ingenuity and persistence be enough to help Britain triumph? Discover the remarkable story of a woman who changed history with her wrench and determination.

From the publisher

This true story of a woman whose brilliance and mechanical expertise helped Britain win World War II is sure to inspire STEM readers and fans of amazing women in history. Beatrice Shilling wasn’t quite like other children. She could make anything. She could fix anything. And when she took a thing apart, she put it back together better than before. When Beatrice left home to study engineering, she knew that as a girl she wouldn’t be quite like the other engineers–and she wasn’t. She was better. Still, it took hard work and perseverance to persuade the Royal Aircraft Establishment to give her a chance. But when World War II broke out and British fighter pilots took to the skies in a desperate struggle for survival against Hitler’s bombers, it was clearly time for new ideas. Could Beatrice solve an engine puzzle and help Britain win the war? American author Mara Rockliff and British illustrator Daniel Duncan team up for a fresh look at a turning point in modern history–and the role of a remarkable woman whose ingenuity, persistence, and way with a wrench (or spanner) made her quite unlike anyone else. An author’s note and a list of selective sources provide additional information for curious readers.

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