At the age of three, Juana Inés followed her older sisters to school and asked the teacher to make her a student too. From that day on, her drive for knowledge never flagged as she defied the traditions of 17th-century Mexico to study in ways reserved for men. At age ten Juana began to study with a tutor in Mexico City. She became a lady-in-waiting at the palace when she was 15, where she had access to the palace library. Later, the viceroy invited 40 scholars to quiz Juana, but they were unable to stump her with their questions. Eventually, she chose to continue her learning as a nun, became a renowned poet, and developed a huge library for her treasured books. Although no sources are cited, an author’s note provides additional information about this amazing woman and scholar. (Ages 5-10)