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The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell Hardcover – Picture Book, May 3, 2022

by Laura Alary (Author), Ellen Rooney (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 7 ratings
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Perfect for fans of STEM, this inspiring picture book biography tells the extraordinary story of pioneering astronomer Maria Mitchell.

Maria longed to travel beyond her small island of Nantucket. But she wasn’t sure how. Her father taught her to look to the stars for guidance. If you knew how to read them, he said, the stars could tell you where you were, and where you needed to go. They spent hours scanning the night sky together through a telescope on the roof. Maria learned how to use astronomers’ tools to measure and track time by the stars. But what could she do with her skills? Then, one day, she heard that a prize was being offered to the first person to find a new comet. Could this be the opportunity she was waiting for?

This absorbing picture book biography by Laura Alary tells the fascinating, though not well-known, story of a remarkable nineteenth-century woman scientist and women’s rights advocate. After winning that prize for discovering a comet, Maria Mitchell would go on to become the first professional female astronomer in the United States, first female member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and one of the first female college professors. Beautifully illustrated with lovely textured artwork by Ellen Rooney, this is a well-told story with a teachable STEM component, supporting both science and social studies curriculums, that supports a growth mindset. It’s also a wonderful guide sure to inspire readers to find their own way in the world. It includes backmatter that further describes Maria’s impressive life and achievements.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    36 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD680L
  6. Dimensions
    9.4 x 0.65 x 10.3 inches
  7. Publisher
    Kids Can Press
  8. Publication date
    May 3, 2022
  9. ISBN-10
    1525303481
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1525303487
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-The story of Maria Mitchell and the curiosity that led to her amazing discovery of a comet is wonderfully told in this picture book biography. The author carefully shows that Mitchell fulfilled what were considered her household duties, but also found ways to satisfy her own voracious curiosity "feeding her mind with ideas as sweet and juicy as oranges." Incidents such as repairing a broken chronometer for a ship's captain or using silk by unwinding a cocoon to fix her own telescope emphasize her determination and ingenuity. Collage illustrations capture the look and feel of early 1800s Nantucket and Mitchell's nights stargazing with her father. The endless inquiry that led her to decide "she would rather look for stars than whales" is reinforced by the image of the words from her thoughts captured in the steam rising from her teacup, as well as the repeated inclusion of her journal in various scenes. The story comes full circle as Mitchell, after a long stint as an educator, returns to the seaside with her own nieces and nephews and, "they asked questions. So many questions!" Back matter includes an author's note about life in Mitchell's era, her Quaker background, and her belief in freedom of choice for boys and girls, as well as a list of resources. VERDICT A well-told and attractive addition to biography collections, ideal for introducing famous astronomers, female scientists, or other pioneers in STEM fields.-Suzanne Costnerα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

A warmhearted lesson in community and creative thinking, delivered simply.―Kirkus Reviews (Praise for What Grew in Larry's Garden)

An inspiring account of a notable early role model who pursued a STEM career despite sexism.―Kirkus Reviews

A well-told and attractive addition to biography collections, ideal for introducing famous astronomers, female scientists, or other pioneers in STEM fields.―School Library Journal, starred review

[A] gentle narrative celebrating diligence, problem solving, and community ...―Publishers Weekly (Praise for What Grew in Larry's Garden)

... a truly charming read that proves amazing things can grow in both our garden's and our lives when tended with human kindness and patience.―CM Magazine (Praise for What Grew in Larry's Garden)

Mitchell's story is well-told in this book. Whimsical mixed-media collage enhance the narrative of her life.―Children's Literature

... will inspire many readers to dream, to wonder, and to collect. It will inspire readers to reach for the stars.―CM Magazine

... rich in detail and whimsy ... This title is a positive addition to a historical personage whose attitude is still a role model today.―Canadian Children's Book News

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kids Can Press (May 3, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 36 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1525303481
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1525303487
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD680L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.4 x 0.65 x 10.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Laura Alary

    Laura Alary

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Laura Alary is a storyteller and educator who believes in writing stories that make us bigger on the inside.

    She has loved books since she was barely big enough to clamber up the steps of the bookmobile that rolled into her neighbourhood once a week. At school, Laura used to make her own books with manila paper, mucilage and crayons. The earliest story she can remember writing was about a little girl who kept spilling paint and having to turn the messes into art (a good rule for life). Nowadays Laura's books look much more professional, but creating them is as much fun as it always was!

    In her writing, Laura draws upon her background in Classics, theology and biblical studies, as well as her long-standing interest in ancient history, folklore, mythology, and science.

    Her books are meant to teach and to entertain, but most of all, to encourage children to wonder about the world and to ask really big questions.

    Laura's most recent books include: All the Faces of Me (Owlkids, 2023); Here: The Dot We Call Home (Paraclete Press, 2022); Sun in My Tummy (Pajama Press, 2022); The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything (Kids Can, 2022); Breathe: A Child's Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time (Paraclete Press, 2021); What Grew in Larry's Garden (Kids Can Press, 2020).

    See more on the author's page
  2. Ellen Rooney

    Ellen Rooney

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
7 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jeannine Atkins
5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique and Beautiful Life
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
Maria Mitchell shows us a life of bravely asking questions, rooted in collecting stones, shells, and feathers. Keeping a notebook, leaving behind but learning from 19th century needlework. Ellen Rooney’s illustrations add whimsy, beauty and grit to the particulars author Laura Alary gives us to celebrate the life of someone who looks, believes in herself and wonders. The back matter added rich resources for further thought. This book should inspire all children. It inspired me, too.
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Libby Bergstrom
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing pictures!
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2022
A worthy entry into the blossoming genre of picture book biographies, the story of Maria Mitchell, the first female professional astronomer in the US, is illustrated with Ellen Rooney's delightful pictures. Her depictions of the nighttime sky seem too expansive to be captured on the pages of a book. The author's note includes some further information but felt more inspirational and didactic than informative. I wish the book had included a timeline and more easily accessible facts to supplement the narrative biography. A great book to share with children fascinated with the night sky.
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Top reviews from other countries

Monika Turi
5.0 out of 5 stars Pay attention teachers!!
Reviewed in Canada on November 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
What a great, engaging book. Thanks Dr. Laura Alary for researching and writing a very informative book. What an inspiration for girls and all children to explore the natural world, keep questioning and following their dreams. Parents and teachers will love this book too.
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