The inspiring biography of Maria Orosa, a WWII-era chemist who invented life-saving food preservation methods and created banana ketchup.
When Maria Orosa was growing up in the Philippines in the early twentieth century, she saw people starving for food--while fresh fruits and vegetables rotted in the jungle. So Maria embarked on a study of food science that would save the lives of her fellow Filipinos. When World War II came to her homeland, Maria fought hunger with her experiments--and brought people joy with inventions like her famous banana ketchup.
With art as colorful as the tropical Philippines, plus kid-friendly explanations of microbes and Maria's scientific process, Hunger Fighter introduces a leader who used her love of chemistry to transform her community. Helpful back matter includes a timeline of events, a recipe for inventing your own banana ketchup, and notes about food science, colonialism, and Maria's achievements.
A beautiful celebration of women's history, women in STEM, and AAPI heritage.