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    The Children's Book Review

    Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life, by Laurie Wallmark | Speed Interview

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze3 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Author Interviews Best Kids Stories Cultural Wisdom Picture Books
    Hedy Lamarr's Double Life, by Laurie Wallmark Speed Interview
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    The Children’s Book Review | May 17, 2019

    The Children’s Book Review: Which five words best describe Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life?

    Laurie Wallmark: Surprising, fascinating, informative, inspiring, science-y

    Can you share one highlight from the book?

    Fifty years after Hedy Lamarr received a patent for her invention, frequency hopping, she received an award for her significant contribution to computers. Her response? “It’s about time.”

    What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far?

    Many people know Hedy Lamarr only as an actress. When they find out she was also an inventor, a common reaction is “You’re kidding!”

    Why do you think biographies are an important part of a child’s home library?

    Sometimes children feel that certain careers aren’t open to them because of their race, religion, gender, etc. Biographies show all children the diversity of possibilities available to them.

    As a child, what vocation did you dream you would have?

    Mathematician.

    If you could sum up your life, so far, what do you imagine the title would be?

    Work in progress.

    What’s on your nightstand? Any books?

    Always. As far as kids’ books, I’m currently reading Something Rotten by Heather Montgomery and Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers by Melissa Stewart.

    What has been the best and/or worst advice you have ever received?

    The best advice is some I’ve given myself and have finally accepted—keep on keeping on.

    Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

    I hope those who read Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life, both adults and children, will realize you don’t have to choose only one path in life. It’s okay to have multiple interests and careers like Hedy did by being an actress and an inventor.

    —

    Hedy Lamarr's Double Life- Hollywood Legend and Brilliant InventorHedy Lamarr’s Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor

    Written by Laurie Wallmark

    Illustrated by Katy Wu

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Movie star by day, ace inventor at night: learn about the hidden life of actress Hedy Lamarr!

    To her adoring public, Hedy Lamarr was a glamorous movie star, widely considered the most beautiful woman in the world. But in private, she was something more: a brilliant inventor. And for many years only her closest friends knew her secret. Now Laurie Wallmark and Katy Wu, who collaborated on Sterling’s critically acclaimed picture-book biography Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code, tell the inspiring story of how, during World War Two, Lamarr developed a groundbreaking communications system that still remains essential to the security of today’s technology.

    Ages 5+ | Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books | February 5, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1454926917

    Available Here:

    Text, logoBuy on AmazonLogo

    About the Author

    Laurie Wallmark
    Laurie Wallmark

    Award-winning author Laurie Wallmark’s debut picture book, ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE (Creston Books, 2015), received four starred trade reviews (Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and School Library Journal) and many national awards including Outstanding Science Trade Book and Cook Prize Honor Book. Her picture book biography, GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE (Sterling Children’s Books, 2017), earned a Kirkus star, is a Parents’ Choice Gold Medal winner, and is on several public libraries’ “best of” lists, including New York. Her recently released book is HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE (Sterling Children’s Books, 2019). Laurie has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from VCFA. You can find Laurie on the Web at www.lauriewallmark.com and @lauriewallmark.

    This speed interview with Laurie Wallmark, author of Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life, was conducted by Bianca Schulze. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Biographies, Books About Inventors, Non-Fiction, and Women’s History. Be sure to follow along with out Speed Interview series, too.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Speed Interview with Vivian Kirkfield, Author of From Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves
    2. My Writing and Reading Life: Laurie Wallmark
    3. Sharice Davids Discusses Sharice’s Big Voice
    4. Jeanne Walker Harvey Discusses Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Biographies Books About Inventors Hedy Lamarr Non-Fiction Speed Interview Sterling Children's Books Women's History
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    2 Comments

    1. Carol Luciano on May 22, 2019 6:06 am

      She wasn’t just a beautiful face but extremely talented and intelligent. I’m always so interesting to see how much talent some people have and use. I’m a huge fan of Hedy Lamar as long well.

      Reply
    2. Robin Newman on May 27, 2019 2:42 pm

      Great interview, Laurie!

      Reply
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