The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of

(Hardback)

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Description

A poetic picture book celebration of the life and scientific discoveries of groundbreaking astronomer Cecilia Payne! Astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne was the first person to discover what burns at the heart of stars. But she didn't start out as the groundbreaking scientist she would eventually become. She started out as a girl burning with curiosity, chasing the thrilling lightning bolt of discovery, hoping one day to unlock the mysteries of the universe. With lyrical, evocative text by Kirsten W. Larson and extraordinary illustrations by award-winning illustrator Katherine Roy, this moving biography powerfully parallels the kindling of Cecilia Payne's own curiosity and her scientific career with the process of a star's birth, from mere possibility in an expanse of space to an eventual, breathtaking explosion of light.

Reviews

"Kirsten Larson deftly weaves together her compelling biography of an important woman who "stick[s] to her path" despite the odds. The decision to parallel Cecilia's development with that of an emerging star is an inspired one, and Katherine Roy uses pencil, ink and digital color to create luminous illustrations that crackle with energy." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review
"[M]akes a good addition to the astronomy shelves." -- Booklist
"A stellar subject, breathtaking artwork, and unique layout set this biography for young readers apart from the rest." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"Marrying format, language, and subject, Larson conscientiously emphasizes Payne's accomplishments. Taking place alongside inky interstellar sidebar views, accompanying pencil and ink illustrations by Roy glow..." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A luminous thematic pairing." -- Kirkus, starred review

Author Bio

Kirsten W. Larson used to work with rocket scientists at NASA. Now she writes books for curious kids. She is the author of Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane (Calkins Creek) and A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything (Clarion Books), along with several forthcoming titles. She lives near Los Angeles, California, with her family. Find her online at kirsten-w-larson.com and social media @kirstenwlarson. Katherine Royis the award-winning author and illustrator of many science-based books for kids, including her Sibert Honor book Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California's Farallon Islands and How to Be an Elephant: Growing Up in the African Wild . She is also the illustrator of Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere and of Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars . She lives with her husband and sons in Oregon, where she loves gazing up at the stars. You can visit her online at www.katherineroy.com .