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

by Kirsten W. Larson, Katherine Roy (Illustrations)

A poetic picture book celebrating the life and scientific discoveries of the 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 full of curiosity, 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.

WOMEN IN STEM CAN CHANGE HISTORY: With women making up less than 30 percent of the science and engineering workforce, supporting young girls who are interested in STEM fields is more important than ever! This picture book tells the story of Cecilia Payne, a trailblazing female astronomer and role model for young girls to relate to and see themselves in, from even the youngest age.

LOOK TO THE STARS: Any reader or stargazer who feels dazzled by the striking night sky will be enchanted by this true story of discovery and invention, as Cecilia's contributions to science prompt us to wonder: What else is out there?

BEAUTIFUL, INSPIRING GIFT: With compelling visual storytelling and an inspiring role model for aspiring astronomers, scientists, and engineers (and for young girls in particular), this stellar biography makes a great choice for any giving moment, from birthdays to celebrations to the holidays.
Perfect for:
Parents, teachers, and librarians looking to instill curiosity and encourage scientific exploration
Lovers of astronomy, stargazing, space travel, and outer space
Anyone seeking narrative nonfiction and biography books about women in STEM for the classroom or choice reading
Gift-givers looking for a unique true story to delight and inspire girls and boys
Fans of Hidden Figures, Rad American Women A-Z, and I Am Malala

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Science, Stem, Childrens, Space

48 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 2023

About the author

Author of WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: EMMA LILIAN TODD INVENTS AN AIRPLANE illustrated by Tracy Subisak (Calkins Creek, 2020), A TRUE WONDER: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything (Clarion, 2021), and THE FIRE OF STARS: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of, illustrated by Katherine Roy (Chronicle, 2022), THE LIGHT OF RESISTANCE, illustrated by Barbara McClinktock (Roaring Brook, 2023), as well as more than two dozen nonfiction books for young people. Represented by Lara Perkins of Andrea Brown Literary.

Reviews

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a book comes along that shines with undeniable brilliance. THE FIRE OF STARS is such a book. It is at once the story of a stars birth and development, as well as the birth and development of Cecelia Payne, a 20th-century astronomer who was the first to discover and accurately describe what stars are made of. The text of these two stories is separate, but also woven together seamlessly and brilliantly by Kirsten W. Larson. The illustrations by Katherine Roy convey at once the vastness and grandeur of space, as well as the human story of young Cecelia growing up and becoming an astronomer. The book design works to weave all these elements together into a whole that truly glows. Truly, one of my favorite picture book biographies, ever.

[M.O. Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirsten Larson’s lyrical writing brilliantly captures the life and scientific discoveries of the trailblazing astronomer and astrophysicist, Cecilia Payne, while also masterfully relaying the parallel story about the scientific process of a star’s birth. Katherine Roy’s illustrations are bold and breathtaking. An inspiring story about curiosity and perseverance by two master storytellers.

[Priscilla Gilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book! It’s amazing that we understand what stars are made of from teasing that knowledge out of their light. Thank you Cecilia Payne, for following your curiosity to such a wondrous end. And thank you Kirsten Larson and Katherine Roy for making worthy art of Payne’s life story. Before reading this book I knew and loved the science but sadly did not know of the woman behind it.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Staff Summer Reading Challenge!!!
This was really good and I’m glad I spotted it!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

As those of us sharing our lives with canine companions often say, one of the many benefits is being outdoors to witness some extraordinary phenomenon. Very early on a November morning this past year, my furry friend and I were coming to a point in our walk where there is a break in a hedge along the shore of a large lake. This break allows you to see the lake, the north and east shore and the horizon. There was a front clouding and hanging in the northeastern sky.

Suddenly, a large fiery ball, with a hint of green color, with an equally fiery tail broke from under that front and dropped into the lake. It had to have been a falling star, but that close to the horizon it looked huge. To say I was stunned is an understatement. Not for the first and certainly not for the last time, I wish we could take pictures with our eyes.

In those moments when we remember to look up, especially at night, the sky holds infinite wonders. In 1900 a girl guided by her curiosity was born. We learn of her accomplishments in The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of (Chronicle Books, February 07, 2023) written by Kirsten W. Larson with illustrations by Katherine Roy. When you read the words in this narrative and gaze at the artwork, it is as if the magic of a star-studded sky has come to earth and you are holding it in your hands.

My full recommendation https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastically beautiful book about the life of astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne. She did not start out as the groundbreaking scientist she would eventually become. She started out as a girl burning with curiosity, chasing the lightening bolt of discovery.
The lyrical text is combined with extraordinary illustrations by award-winning illustrator Katherine Roy. I loved how the many phases of a birth of a star coincided with the life of Cecilia.
The back of the book contains a biographical timeline of Payne, a timeline of a star and a bibliography.
I highly recommend adding this to your collection of nonfiction picture books.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. It will take a few readings to get all of the layers of Larson's text and Roy's illustrations are perfect.

[Jeanne Zettel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Actually learned a lot about astrophysics!

[Serenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging text, lovely illustrations, excellent back matter. This will definitely be on my Mock Sibert list this year.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction children's book about Cecilia Payne is incredible, one of the best I've read. I learned about it after taking a trip to the Harvard Center for Astrophysics' Astronomical Glass Plate Collection, which was an inspiring and informative experience. It also made reading the book extra exciting. The Plate Stacks has a strong emphasis on the hundreds of women who worked, studied, and made discoveries at the observatory but were dismissed or ignored by their male colleagues. Seeing this work in person, and then getting to read a wonderful book which addresses these issues, was a powerful experience.

This book is a beautifully illustrated biography of Cecilia Payne, who discovered that stars are composed of mostly hydrogen and helium when she was just 25 years old. It shows both Payne and a literal star develop in tandem, tying the two together to great effect. The art blends simple character lines with rich colors and has a beautiful overall appearance, especially when the star formation contrasts against Payne's panels.

One of my favorite features, the book also has explanatory essays, timelines, and further reading, encouraging even more engagement with this history. Overall, really great and one that I'm recommending to some of the adults in my life!

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting way to tell a parallel story. Little phrases about the evolution of a star serve as the starting text for each spread about Astronomer and Astrophysicist Cecilia Payne. The backmatter is extensive, including a extension of each phrase about the star that explains more in depth about each phase being depicted throughout the story. A good book for a unit on stars and outer space or on Women's history.

[Kayleigh Wonch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found The Fire of Stars on the list of ALA Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal winners. Written by Kirsten W. Larson and illustrated by Katherine Roy, this book weaves together the story of Cecilia Payne, a pioneering astronomer, with the science behind how stars are born (a subject she was a critical part in better defining through her research). The book immediately stood out to me because of its parallel narrative structure. On one side of each page is Payne’s journey from a curious child to a trailblazing scientist, and on the other, we see the lifecycle of a star unfold. The way these two stories mirror each other is unique and unlike any other book, children’s or otherwise, I’ve ever read. Roy’s illustrations, blending pencil and ink with computerized color, are as awesome as the woman and the stars he depicts. I chose to read the book in hardcover format, a choice I stand by as I believe the illustrations and text structure are best experienced with the book in hand.

Larson’s narrative feels both poetic and scientific, a unique balance that (again) makes the text a standout. For example, a memorable example of the book’s parallel structure occurs when young Cecilia’s discovers how orchid petals mimic a bee’s belly to trick bees into pollinating; her “spark” of curiosity is shown alongside the description of hold a literal jolt in the universe sends dust and gas swirling to form a new star. The book is filled with these moments, where Payne’s discoveries and the scientific process align beautifully in both the text and illustrations. The narrative flows smoothly between Payne’s personal challenges and triumphs, like being one of the first women in a male-dominated field and the awe-inspiring process of star formation. The endnotes, timeline, and annotated star diagrams give even more context, adding to the richness of the text’s information.

In the classroom, The Fire of Stars would be a fantastic resource for teaching both narrative nonfiction and science. The book invites discussions about representation, especially the contributions of women in STEM, and could easily be paired with lessons about astronomy or biography writing. Younger students, like second and third graders, would enjoy it as a read-aloud, while older students could use it as inspiration for writing their own stories about historical figures or scientific concepts.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a long book for a picture book, but it's quite good. Cecelia Payne was a fascinating woman, and we enjoyed learning about her. We got to the end of the book and my son said, "she was real?!?" Plus, the book is beautifully illustrated.

[Regine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully done. The story of Cecilia Payne’s emergence as a star at the Harvard Observatory in the early 20th century is told in parallel with how a star is born in space. Charming illustrations, compelling photos, and lots of information that was new to me.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am delighted to see that more books about women in STEM are being written for young readers--and for the adults who make these books available to children. I was delighted to learn about the woman who used the scientific method to make a claim about the materials of stars in our universe.

Author Kristen W. Larson and illustration Katherine Roy bring the life and work of astrophysisist Cecilia Payne (b. 1900) to life.

Payne had a insatiable scientific curiosity about nature ever since she was young. Her formal schooling discouraged young women from studying STEM subjects, but she always found a way, even if she had to bend or even break a few rules to get access to the materials, information, and mentors.

She eventually immigrated to the US where at Harvard University she was able to apply her interest in physics to the new field of astrophysics. She came up with the idea of analyzing photographs of light emitting from stars as way to infer the material properties of those stars. She was the first on record to posit the matter was mostly hydrogen and helium when others believed stars were made of the same matter as earth.

The artwork is wonderful and inventive. As Payne develops from a child to a scientist a parallel story is told (in 1/3 of the page) of a star being born. The language Larson uses also uses images about stars. For example, "Yet her teachers want her to learn only the facts, to notice nothing new. Bottle up, the energy of her mind has no escape." And later "Deep inside her something glimmers and glows, growing stoner. Something new--and then, at last / a new light. Cecilia blazes with that lightning bold of understanding.

The backmatter includes

"Cecilia Payne: Science Superstar," which is a one page biography with a photograph.

"A Star Is Born," which includes the eleven (11) small images of the star that ran through the main narrative. Here the artwork and prose from the main narrative is included with an additional paragraph below to explain the science depicted more lyrically prior.

"Timeline" of Payne's life from birth at 1900 to her death in 1979.

[Gloria B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I located the book on the National Council of Teachers of English Site. https://ncte.org/awards/orbis-pictus-... This book won the 2024 Honor NCTE Orbis Pictus Award.

This story is about Cecilia Payne, an astronomer and astrophysicist who discovered what stars are made of. Cecilia grew up in an urban setting in England, where she got to explore her love for science and nature. Her family moved to a suburban city in England so her brother could attend a better school. Cecilia transferred to a religious school, limiting her access to science. Cecilia met Miss Daglish, a science teacher who shared an interest in science with her. Cecilia pursued her path with Miss Daglish’s encouragement and attended the University of Cambridge.
Cecilia pursued her studies and graduated despite all the hardship she faced as the only woman in her field. Cecilia left to find a job in America and continued with her studies. Finally, Cecilia makes a “steller discovery that stars are mostly hydrogen and helium, not like the rocks and minerals of our spinning planet” (Larsen, 2023, p. 26).

This story is an example of “factual nonfiction” as it “presented known facts” about what stars are made of (Temple et al., p. 291). This story is also an example of a “picturebook biography” as it “featured Cecilia Payne’s life and how her discovery contributed to the society (Temple et al., p. 298 and 302). This story “relied on a sequential pattern or organization, telling Cecilia’s life story from childhood into adulthood” (Temple et al., p. 303-304). The author also included a timeline as an organizational tool to provide an overview of Cecilia’s life, focusing on her discovery (Temple et al., p. 295). This story “aroused curiosity, and it engaged readers in learning and thinking” (Temple et al., p.284). The story wraps up with Ceclia’s discovery what stars are made of. Then, the author rises questions by asking “if this is what stars are made of, how do they form? How do they create such enormous energy? Whose will the next discovery be? (Larsen, 2023. p. 27-31).

Teachers could use this book during Women’s History Month and focus on the central message of perseverance. Students could also use the text to focus on Cecilia’s character traits. Students could find text evidence to support the traits. Teachers could facilitate a discussion of the impacts on society’s gender roles in different fields. Teachers could focus on how Cecilia persevered in her field despite being the only woman in her field. Then, teachers could highlight the importance of everyone being capable of any field that they would like to pursue if they put their minds to it. Students could share fields they’re interested in exploring.

Larsen, K. W. (2023). The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made of. Chronicle Books LLC

Temple et al. (2019). Children’s Books in Children’s Hands. Pearson Education, Inc.

[Arianne F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of written by Kirsten W. Larson and illustrated by Katherine Roy. I found this book on the National Council of Teachers of English website as a honorary book for the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. It also has starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Shelf Awareness. The book is also a Junior Library Guild selection. This book follows the life of Cecilia Payne and how she discovered what stars are composed of. It begins when Cecilia is a child and continues to her being a scientist at Harvard. It also follows how stars are created. These two journeys are intertwined throughout the book.

The Fire of Stars includes a lot of organizational and support tools in the text including a note about Cecilia Payne, sequence of how stars are born, timeline of Cecilia's life, and a bibliography. This book was mainly a biography and factual nonfiction book that was structured mainly by sequencing the events of Cecilia's life and how stars are formed. The author also posed questions at the end of the book to encourage children to be inquisitive. The illustrations were also intertwined with how stars are created and Cecilia's life. Similarly to the words, the biography is the main focus of the illustrations but the star's creation is on every page as the background or on the side. I would recommend this book to students in 2nd to 4th grade to go along with the social studies unit about space and stars. I think it would is a great opportunity for children to learn about the scientist who discovered information about space. I also think this book could be used for a writing lesson and allow students to practice writing their own nonfiction book with facts intertwined with a biography like The Fire of Stars.

I loved this book. I thought the idea of intertwining the births and journeys of the Cecilia and the stars she studied was brilliant. I loved how the author included the full timeline of both Cecilia's life and how stars are created at the end to clearly show the sequential order of both. The illustrations are stunning and show both journeys without being too distracting.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecilia Payne faced a series of impediments (the largest being the nearly unscalable wall of sexism in science) in her pursuit of a career in astronomy and astrophysics, ones that she overcame through determination and encouragement from a key mentor (a woman science teacher) who saw Cecilia’s potential. Not only did she fulfill her potential, Cecilia's groundbreaking research showed the world what burned at the heart of stars.

The interplay between text and illustration in this book is inspired. The way the spreads are split between the parallel stories, the use of light to depict moments of insight that lead to the birth of stars and ideas, and the open-ended question that leads the reader to wonder, perhaps see themselves as someone who may make a new discovery, too, works so beautifully that I’m sure this book is already on the short list for the Sibert. It might only be February, and we’ll see many new nonfiction titles coming up in 2023, but this one, folks, is nothing short of stellar.

The back matter includes more details about Cecilia’s life, including a timeline that shows how long she had to wait to be awarded a professorship, 30 YEARS LONGER THAN HER MALE COLLEAGUES! It also includes information about how one of the most prominent astronomers of the day first called her conclusion about stars “impossible,” and then published a paper arriving at her conclusion four years later but giving her little credit. This example is too painfully familiar as we learn more about the brilliant women of science who were ignored or whose work was appropriated by men.

The back matter also includes three pages that reprise the images and poetic text of the star’s birth and add a deeper explanation of the science behind it. This treatment allows the narrative arc of the main text to flow naturally without interruption, leaving the details for the reader to pore over at the end.

A gorgeously illustrated and inspiring story. Highly recommended!

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the age of 25, Cecilia Payne discovered that stars were made of hydrogen and helium. Her story, one full of determination and following her passions when others tried to tell her she couldn’t, is found alongside the poetic discovery of a star.

Cecilia Payne, born in 1900, grew up during a time when girls were not expected or allowed to be interested in science. Cecilia loved being outside as a child watching the bees and insects and smelling the flowers. But, when her family moved to the city, her world became very closed in. Eventually, a female science teacher befriends her and opens up the world of science to Cecilia again.

The reward of the young scientist is the emotional thrill of being the first person in the history of the world to see something or to understand something.

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
Cecilia was often the only girl in a sea of men studying science and astronomy, but it didn’t bother her. She was teased and told she couldn’t be a scientist, but that only made her work harder. She eventually graduated from Cambridge and moved to Harvard to work in the Astronomy department. It was there she found the recipe for stars.

Along with telling the story of Cecilia’s life, the author and illustrator have combined the two stories of both Cecilia and a star together on the page. “Soon everything shifts and separates-” as a star is becoming a cluster at the same time we find out Cecilia is living in the city, away from her much-loved quiet countryside. All through the book, Cecilia’s life is mirrored alongside the creation of a star. At the end of the book, the author includes a short biography of Cecilia Payne and a compilation of how a star is actually born in space.

This biography combined with a scientific lesson makes for an excellent read-to-learn opportunity for kids excited about science and space.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

For many, many years when people looked at the stars they assumed that they were made up of rocks and dirt - just like the earth. But in the 1900s, people began to question this theory. One of these people was Cecilia Payne. Born in England in 1900, she loved science and exploring the outdoors. She questioned everything and made many scientific observations and conclusions. But then her family moved to London. She was rather stifled in her studies at school until a new science teacher was hired. Encouraged, she eventually went to college to study Botany -- until she heard a lecture on astrophysics! She switched her studies to Physics and was the only woman in her classes. She also studied astronomy by proctoring those classes. After graduation, no college in England would allow her to pursue her studies further so she moved to America. Fascinated by stars, she set out to discover what stars were formed and what they were made of - mostly hydrogen and helium. The book explains her methods - and how other people doubted her but eventually basically stole her ideas. As women scientists became more accepted in academia, Cecilia eventually became a professor at Harvard and continued her work in astrophysics. She also married and had three children.

The format of the book is interesting because in a small panel in each spread or page, the formation of a star is compared to Cecilia's own life, struggles, and accomplishments. The actually story of Cecilia in the picture book is not as detailed as the information provided in the back of the book - which also adds more details to the formation of the star. Cecilia's methods for figuring out that helium and hydrogen make up the stars is quite fascinating!

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

The design of this book is BRILLIANT.

For each two-page spread at the beginning of the book, there are two panels. A wider panel illustrates and tells the story of the early life of astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne, born in 1900 who faces many obstacles in becoming a scientist. A second, narrower panel illustrates and narrates a description of the life of a star. The content of the star panel mirrors what's happening in Cecilia's life. For example, when she has to leave the countryside and move to the city, the narrative of the star's development is "soon everything shifts and separates."

Midway through the book, when Cecilia graduates from college and leaves for America where she can be the "star" scientist that she wants to be, the two narratives merge. While the narrative about the star is still in Italics and a different color, it serves as the lead into each page's description of Cecilia's work. Towards the very end, after she has made the discovery of what stars are made of, there is no distinction. BEAUTIFUL!!!! OUR STUDENTS WILL LOVE THIS! IMAGINE THE CONVERSATIONS!!!

DON'T SKIP THE BACK MATTER. There's a small print of each illustration related to the star's development with more explicit details about what happens. AND there's a timeline of Cecilia's life.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND for reading aloud or small group reading & discussion in grades 3-6.

[Melanie Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book, inspiring for readers of all ages! After reading it, I wished I could meet Cecilia Payne and absorb some of her curiosity and passion for learning and observing. At age 25, after years of rigorous astronomy and physics studies, Cecilia Payne made an incredible contribution to her field by discovering what stars are made of. As a woman, and a young one at that, Cecilia Payne’s discovery and work as a scientist were not taken always taken seriously, but she retained her belief in herself and the courage to pursue her interests and goals. The writing in FIRE OF STARS is lyrical and engaging, and the parallels between Cecilia’s journey and a star’s birth makes for dynamic storytelling. I was also star-struck by the illustrations, which pair dark, lush, vibrant images of the birth of a star with lighter, more whimsical illustrations of Cecilia’s studies and work. The backmatter contains a timeline of Cecilia’s life and more information and lovely illustrations depicting the formation of stars. It feels like getting two books in one – learning about both the birth of stars and the remarkable woman who was compelled to understand them.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 BWKCP Despite the outstanding space and star illustrations and the contrasting style of the biographical Illustrations striations telling about the life of astrophysiciist Cecelia Payne, I was underwhelmed by the artwork preferring the biographical information. Consequently I feel this is less a Caldecott contender, than perhaps a Seibert possibility. The endpapers and full page star illustrations are gorgeous. I liked the simpler pen and ink and watercolor for the biographical info, I just didn’t like the latter superimposed on the star paintings.
Fascinating info on a Cambridge educated woman who found career astronomy and astrophysical opportunities at Harvard where she got her PhD and chalked up a number of firsts including discovering at age 25, what stars are made of, Hydrogen and helium, not the planet making elements previously believed. The Star is Born section with small photos of the artwork with info below. And the timeline of Cecelia Payne’s life, education, and career were most informative and clear.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeline:
1900 Cecilia Payne is born in Wendover, England, to Emma and Edward Payne. Edward Payne is a lawyer and historian with a large collection of books, which Cecilia reads. She is the oldest of 3 children.

1915 Physicists Albert Einstein presents his general theory of relativity. If his theory is correct, the gravity of massive objects like the sun should bend light rays nearby.

1925 Cecilia earns a Ph.D. For her work at the Harvard College Observatory. Radcliffe, Harvard’s sister school, grants her degree because women technically cannot attend Harvard. It’s the first PhD in astronomy awarded based on work from the Harvard College Observatory. Cecilia publishes Stellar Atmospheres, the first of her 9 books and 351 papers.

1938 Cecilia is appointed astronomer at Harvard University.

1976 Cecilia receives the Henry Norris Russell Lectureship for a lifetime of excellence in astronomical research.

WHY DOES IT TAKE WHITE MEN SO LONG TO REALIZE THE GIFTS OTHERS HAVE TO OFFER?

They must be terrified of being wrong, or not smart enough, or second best.

[SL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading about the astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne. I am both delighted and enraged that, in my 30s, I'm learning more about the amazing women throughout history who have given significant contributions to history but are only now *just* starting to be acknowledged...like, why didn't I learn about her in school?! ANYWAY. This book was wonderful and I loved how there were two narratives going on--the scientific explanation of how a star is formed alongside illustrations of Cecilia's life. It worked so well that once I finished the book reading about Cecilia's life, I flipped back to the beginning to read the information about star formation...and I saw what you did there, author! The scientific explanation had its own rhythm and cadence to it that hit the same narrative beats as the author described Cecilia's life. So in conclusion, this book is splendid. And you should read it :)

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliantly written biography about a female astronomer and astrophysicist and science book about the process of a star's birth!

It is so clever how the author puts the story of Cecilia Payne along side a poetic explanation of how stars are made! Kristen W. Larsen is truly a master at making children's nonfiction stories beautiful, lyrical, informative, and interesting! I love that I have also been introduced to an amazing female scientist from history. (Why haven't we heard about this important woman before?) We need more picture books like this! Even if you aren't interested in biographies or science, the Fire of Stars is a wonderful story about a curious girl knowing what lights her fire and following her dreams no matter the obstacles!

The Illustrations by Katherine Roy are equally brilliant and beautiful! She really captures the essence of the universe with bold glowing colors. What a fabulous author and illustrator duo!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an amazing, yet not surprising story by Kirsten W. Larson of Cecilia Payne, loving science but kept back because of her time growing up. She was born in 1900 and opportunities for women in science were very difficult to find. She moved eventually to the Harvard College Observatory but was awarded her Ph.D. from Radcliffe in 1925 because women technically could not then attend Harvard. She was the first to figure out a star's birth and the elements it contained, but at first, others said they were "clearly impossible". As Larson tells the story, Katherine Roy intertwines Cecelia's life with a star's extraordinary beginnings, following the journey and then ending with the stunning birth of a star. There is much more about Cecilia and the star's journey plus a bibliography at the back. It's a wonderful addition to books about astronomy and the history of women's struggles in science careers.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: Cecilia Payne moved from the country as a girl to London so her brother, Humfry, could attend a better school. Her school did not teach her the science curriculum that she desired until a new science teacher and friend, Miss Dalglish, was hired. Cecilia wins a University of Cambridge scholarship to study plants but is inspired once she attends a lecture by astronomer Arthur Addigton, whose work created a new field called astrophysics. She moved to America to study astronomy at Harvard, where other women were studying the same subject. Through her work, she discovered what stars are made of, thus building a foundation for astronomers to learn and better understand the stars.

This narrative nonfiction biography picture book has two-page illustrations paralleling Cecilia's beginning of her career and that of a star's.

The back sections are: Cecilia Payne: Science Superstar, A Star is Born, and a Timeline.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Isabella Kung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite non-fiction picture books to date! The way author Kirsten W. Larson compared Cecelia Payne's life, a 20th-century astronomer who discovered what stars are made of, to the subject of observation – a star's life, makes the story bursting with energy and brimming with inspiration. The ability to weave two stories together so seamlessly is a work of brilliance and this method allows readers to expand their imaginations the way Cecelia did as she pondered the mysteries of stars, and the description of a star-forming fueled the momentum of Cecelia's story too. And I'm just as in awe of the illustrations by Katherine Roy. The way she uses watercolor illuminates the story, her brushstrokes are infused with organic energy, and her designs showing both sides of the story together on each spread are brilliant. It's no wonder why this book is receiving such glowing praise! Highly recommended.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning and one of my favorite picture book biographies this year. It is not only an engaging and illuminating biography of pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist Cecelia Payne but an education in how stars are born and, moreover, an absolute work of art. The parallel between Cecelia Payne's education and scientific career with the birth of a star is brilliant, though it does make read-aloud a slight challenge and might be a little confusing for the younger picture book crowd. I might suggest actually starting first with the back matter which expands upon the story proper regarding how a star is born. Though I found myself wishing for a few more details in certain areas of Cecelia's story, I give points for the rest of the back matter which includes further biographical info about Cecelia Payne, a Timeline, and an extensive Bibliography. Highly recommended!