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Her Eyes on the Stars: Maria Mitchell, Astronomer
Maria Mitchell’s curiosity about the night sky led her to spend hours studying the stars. She discovered a comet as a young woman, winning an award from the King of Denmark for being the first person to discover a new comet using a telescope.
Now famous as “the lady astronomer,” Maria went on to become a professional astronomer, an unheard of achievement for a woman in the 19th century. She was the first woman to get any kind of government job when she was hired by the United States Navel Observatory. Then as the first woman astronomy professor in the world, Maria used her position at Vassar College to teach young women to set their sights on the sky, training new generations of female astronomers. Her story inspires all of us to reach for the stars.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published May 2, 2023
47 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Wallmark
13 books58 followersAward-winning author Laurie Wallmark writes picture book biographies of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as fiction. Her books have earned multiple starred trade reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding Science Trade Book, Best STEM Book, Crystal Kite Award, Cook Prize Honor, and Parents’ Choice Gold Medal. Her titles include ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE, GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE, HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE, NUMBERS IN MOTION, CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER, and DINO PAJAMA PARTY. Laurie has an MFA in Writing from VCFA and frequently presents at schools as well as national professional conferences (NSTA, NCTE, ALA, TLA, etc.). She is a former software engineer and computer science professor. You can find Laurie on the Web at www.lauriewallmark.com and @lauriewallmark.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 22, 2023
I love how Laurie Wallmark continues to find successful interesting women to write about. I love learning about how Maria Mitchell, at the age of twenty-nine became the first female to discover a comet. Even more interesting was how two male scientists sent in letters about discovering the same comet right around the same time, but her letter and documentation had to be shipped across the Atlantic Ocean and arrived after their letters. The two honorable scientists stepped aside and agreed she discovered it first.
Two years, later she became America's first female professional astronomer, making her childhood dreams came true. When Vassar opened their all women's college in 1965, they hired Maria as professor of Astronomy where she taught and inspired the next generation of females to set their sights high and reach for the stars.
Parents, teachers, and librarians will love sharing this inspiring book with their students. I love that it was her father who inspired Maria to look to the stars and put her on the path that has inspired so many books about her. It sounds like Maria continues to be a guiding light and motivation for others to achieve. Liz Wong did a wonderful job creating the illustrations to help tell HER EYES ON THE STARS.
Two years, later she became America's first female professional astronomer, making her childhood dreams came true. When Vassar opened their all women's college in 1965, they hired Maria as professor of Astronomy where she taught and inspired the next generation of females to set their sights high and reach for the stars.
Parents, teachers, and librarians will love sharing this inspiring book with their students. I love that it was her father who inspired Maria to look to the stars and put her on the path that has inspired so many books about her. It sounds like Maria continues to be a guiding light and motivation for others to achieve. Liz Wong did a wonderful job creating the illustrations to help tell HER EYES ON THE STARS.
October 30, 2023
I especially loved the description of an event revealing how knowledgeable she was though very young. She calibrated a whaler-captain's maritime chronometer-- an essential navigation tool --because his urgent request was made while her father was away. Maria's lifelong understanding of mathematics and astronomical instruments allowed her to provide the necessary answers, despite the captain's doubts of her ability at only thirteen years old. This was also despite Maria's birth into the early years of the nineteenth century, when girls and women were often considered uneducable, or at least not worthy of work beyond domestic shores. She lived a life that included a scientific father who believed his daughter had a brain, and in circumstances that allowed her to use that privilege and blessing to continue to examine the night skies with the attention and consistency of a dedicated scientist.
This was an accomplishment of note, but the event that marked her for history was her identification of an as-yet unknown comet on October 1, 1847. She knew that her discovery should be reported officially, immediately, because others might also have noted the comet's appearance and location. When the esteemed official bodies of scientists made their final rulings, Maria was found to be the first woman ever to have identified a previously unknown comet. That marked her as a success, of sorts, within the astronomical community, but it was barely a halfway point in her long life and career as a scientist and studier of the night skies.
The back matter is (as always with Wallmark's nonfiction books) a rich and readable resource for those who finish the account of Maria's life in the main text with a sense of awe. There are plenty of additional facts and resources (timeline, bibliography, author note) and each is provided in ways useful to young readers and to the adults who might share the book with them. In this case that is especially suited to the life story of a girl whose parent became her mentor and guide, supporter and admirer, as she piloted the night skies where no woman had gone before. At least not with such success.
This was an accomplishment of note, but the event that marked her for history was her identification of an as-yet unknown comet on October 1, 1847. She knew that her discovery should be reported officially, immediately, because others might also have noted the comet's appearance and location. When the esteemed official bodies of scientists made their final rulings, Maria was found to be the first woman ever to have identified a previously unknown comet. That marked her as a success, of sorts, within the astronomical community, but it was barely a halfway point in her long life and career as a scientist and studier of the night skies.
The back matter is (as always with Wallmark's nonfiction books) a rich and readable resource for those who finish the account of Maria's life in the main text with a sense of awe. There are plenty of additional facts and resources (timeline, bibliography, author note) and each is provided in ways useful to young readers and to the adults who might share the book with them. In this case that is especially suited to the life story of a girl whose parent became her mentor and guide, supporter and admirer, as she piloted the night skies where no woman had gone before. At least not with such success.
February 20, 2023
One of the first astronomers to discover a comet in the mid-1800's, Maris Mitchell also carried several other "mantles", including first woman astronomy professor in the world.
Born in 1818, Mitchell was largely educated in astronomy by her father, a whaling-ship captain. He gave her many responsibilities and challenges when she was in her teens. When an adult, she continued teaching herself about celestial mechanics in the library that she worked. In 1847, she observed a comet in the sky in her telescope and tracked it, then her father submitted the necessary documentation to the King of Denmark, who awarded her a gold medal, cash prize, and the privilege of having the comet named after her and was renowned for her work in the field of astronomy.
Wallmark's text is friendly and straightforward. It focuses on the most outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable woman. Backmatter includes: Maria's Rules of Astronomical Observation, a glossary of terms, a list of type sof solar eclipses, a timeline of her life, and a selected bibliography of adult titles.
Liz Wong's digital artwork is stellar (pun intended!). Evening is shown in shades of purple and blue as a vast area. Young children will pick up lots of visual cues (ex. the first five planets of our solar system) as Maria explores explores the heavens. Good detail, Maria is depicted as a vibrant young woman.
Similar recent books for a slightly older age group (gr. 2-5, though not nearly as attractive as this) include The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell by Laura Alary (Kids Can Press, c2022) and What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett (Beach Lane Books, c2019).
Include this title in units on astronomy, STEM, and Women's History Month.
Highly Recommended grades 1-5.
Born in 1818, Mitchell was largely educated in astronomy by her father, a whaling-ship captain. He gave her many responsibilities and challenges when she was in her teens. When an adult, she continued teaching herself about celestial mechanics in the library that she worked. In 1847, she observed a comet in the sky in her telescope and tracked it, then her father submitted the necessary documentation to the King of Denmark, who awarded her a gold medal, cash prize, and the privilege of having the comet named after her and was renowned for her work in the field of astronomy.
Wallmark's text is friendly and straightforward. It focuses on the most outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable woman. Backmatter includes: Maria's Rules of Astronomical Observation, a glossary of terms, a list of type sof solar eclipses, a timeline of her life, and a selected bibliography of adult titles.
Liz Wong's digital artwork is stellar (pun intended!). Evening is shown in shades of purple and blue as a vast area. Young children will pick up lots of visual cues (ex. the first five planets of our solar system) as Maria explores explores the heavens. Good detail, Maria is depicted as a vibrant young woman.
Similar recent books for a slightly older age group (gr. 2-5, though not nearly as attractive as this) include The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell by Laura Alary (Kids Can Press, c2022) and What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett (Beach Lane Books, c2019).
Include this title in units on astronomy, STEM, and Women's History Month.
Highly Recommended grades 1-5.
February 20, 2024
Persistance, drive, and passion. These attributes defined Astronaut Kalpana Chawla throughout her life.
From early on, Chawla was drawn to the skies. At the age of eleven, she took her first airplane ride and was hooked! By the time she was fourteen, Chawla set her sights on becoming an aeronautical engineer.
Though many tried to discourage her ambition, she became the first woman to graduate from her college in Punjab, India with a degree in aeronautical engineering. But this degree was just the beginning. Kalpana aspired to work at NASA as an astronaut, which would mean many more years of study, as well as meeting NASA's requirement that she become a US citizen.
Eventually, Kalpana Chawla achieved her dream, and became the first Indian woman to go in space. Sadly, her story ended on her second mission, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
Hers is an inspirational story all budding engineers and aspiring astronauts should know about.
From early on, Chawla was drawn to the skies. At the age of eleven, she took her first airplane ride and was hooked! By the time she was fourteen, Chawla set her sights on becoming an aeronautical engineer.
Though many tried to discourage her ambition, she became the first woman to graduate from her college in Punjab, India with a degree in aeronautical engineering. But this degree was just the beginning. Kalpana aspired to work at NASA as an astronaut, which would mean many more years of study, as well as meeting NASA's requirement that she become a US citizen.
Eventually, Kalpana Chawla achieved her dream, and became the first Indian woman to go in space. Sadly, her story ended on her second mission, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
Hers is an inspirational story all budding engineers and aspiring astronauts should know about.
July 9, 2023
This is the story of Maria Mitchell, a female astronomer in a time when females didn’t go into science. It’s in picture book format but doesn’t shy away from big words. It would be of interest to kids aged 6+. I enjoyed reading it and I’m an adult!
This book is great for girls to read especially to encourage them to pursue their interests no matter what. It’s very You Go Girl!
The back of the book includes some extras such as: Maria’s Rules of Astronomical Observation, Glossary, Types of Solar Eclipses, Timeline of her life, Bibliography and About the Authors. This section is good for extending the learning.
The illustrations by Liz Wong are sweet and match the book. It’s a great book for a child interested in science or for encouraging children, especially girls in general.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is great for girls to read especially to encourage them to pursue their interests no matter what. It’s very You Go Girl!
The back of the book includes some extras such as: Maria’s Rules of Astronomical Observation, Glossary, Types of Solar Eclipses, Timeline of her life, Bibliography and About the Authors. This section is good for extending the learning.
The illustrations by Liz Wong are sweet and match the book. It’s a great book for a child interested in science or for encouraging children, especially girls in general.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2023
Her Eyes on the Stars tells the dramatic story of Maria Mitchell’s fascination with observing the sky and the progress of her career as a professional astronomer. As a young girl, Maria accompanied her father to his observatory. At age twenty-nine, she became the first American to discover a comet! Mitchell also worked for the U.S. Naval Observatory and became a professor of astronomy at Vassar College. This is a fascinating book, beautifully told by Laurie Wallmark, and the illustrations by Liz Wong capture the wonder of watching the sky.
August 3, 2023
I was fascinated by this story of Maria Mitchell, the first American to discover a comet and the first female astronomy professor in the world. I was not familiar with Mitchell and her work, so this book taught me so much! Laurie Wallmark’s engaging text simultaneously tells the story of a young woman’s scientific curiosity and perseverance in a STEM field dominated by men while also making high level science and math concepts accessible to young readers. Kudos on a pioneering work!
August 25, 2023
I so enjoyed this book about Maria Mitchell, a ground-breaking astronomer who achieved several firsts as a woman in this "cosmic" and "starry" field.
This beautifully illustrated picture book is a must for girls who set their sights, talents and minds on lofty goals -- who have dreams and drives. It's of course an inspiring true story for boys too!
Recommended!
This beautifully illustrated picture book is a must for girls who set their sights, talents and minds on lofty goals -- who have dreams and drives. It's of course an inspiring true story for boys too!
Recommended!
November 26, 2023
I love this story of a girl whose passion for astronomy and scientific study led her to open up the field and bring more women into science. In addition to sharing her rigorous pursuit of science, it's about perseverance and how one child's dream can propel them to unexpected heights. An inspiring story for all ages!
April 21, 2025
Focuses on Maria Mitchell and a brief overview of her journey in astronomy and how she became the first American to discover a comet, first American woman astronomer, and first woman astronomy professor in the world. Great brief overview of her accomplishments, yet I would love to hear more about her as a person too in this biography.
March 21, 2024
Read this to my space loving daughter for Women's History Month. Great story. Loved the artwork.
June 20, 2025
excellent upper elementary science biography
February 28, 2024
women in stem! trailblazers! i love you all!! thank you!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews