Larson, Kirsten W. The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2023.
In 1869, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev devised the periodic table of elements which every student now learns about at an early age. But when that list of elements was created, no one knew for sure what elements were in the stars. No one. Not until over 50 years later, when 25-year-old Cecilia Payne figured out how to determine what elements – and how much of each element – were in the stars we see at night. Beautifully illustrated by Katherine Roy, this picture book is supplemented by extensive additional information including a detailed timeline and lengthy bibliography. It is highly recommended for science students of all ages. Â
P.S. The style of writing is a bit stilted: A bit too much alliteration. A verb in past tense that should be in present tense. Some metaphors a little over the top. But the flow makes the story lovely as a read-aloud for younger kids. And the information is fascinating for readers of any age.Â
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