Overview

The real-life Cinderella story of the very first professional woman astronomer—Caroline Herschel! Comet Chaser is the thrilling and beautifully illustrated biography of a woman who made a lifetime of incredible contributions to science. She was the first woman to discover a comet, the first officially recognized in a scientific role, and the first to be given a Gold Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society. In a day when girls were barely educated at all, Caroline Herschel's father taught her math and music . . . until, suddenly, he died. Her mother saw her as little more than a household servant. Caroline might have been doomed to a life of drudgery and dimness if not for her brother, who took her from Germany to England. There they started building telescopes in their free time, gradually making them larger and larger, and discovering new comets—even new planets! When the great astronomers of the day wondered how Caroline and her brother accomplished this and came to see for themselves, they found that the Herschels had made the best telescopes of their time. From household drudge to belle of the scientific ball, Caroline Herschel won international prizes never before awarded to a woman and earned a professional wage from the king. She and her discoveries remain as stunning today as they were then. Some of her calculations are still in use! In this delightfully imaginative retelling of Caroline's career, her fairy godmother is none other than her own bright intelligence, hard work, and passion for science. WOMEN IN STEM: Passion and persistence save the day and offer a wonderful model for girls seeking their way into science, technology, engineering, and math in this starry biography. AN EMPOWERING, TRUE CINDERELLA STORY: What a brilliant way of telling the story of an inspirational woman in science—as a true Cinderella story! Caroline must escape a humble life of drudgery, and with the magic of real science, she makes her own fairy-tale ending. BIOGRAPHY BOOK FOR KIDS: A great addition to classrooms and libraries, with fascinating examples of hands-on engineering, mathematics, and scientific study. INSPIRATIONAL GIFT: Inspire budding scientists of all kinds with this magical true story! Perfect for: Kids interested in science, space, or astronomy Teachers and librarians looking for excellent picture book biographies and nonfiction books about science Gift givers hoping to inspire a love of STEM topics Fans of Hidden Figures, The Fire of Stars, and Ada Twist, Scientist

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9781452145433

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Reviews

"""...Herschel shines as a figure of resilience--and brilliance. The creative team compels with this portrayal of empowerment through vocation."" -- Publishers Weekly ""An important historical personality receives deserved attention in this fine account."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""Turner tells the amazing story of Caroline Herschel, a pioneering woman in STEM. Mildenberger's painted illustrations have a historical feeling and...bring scenes to life."" -- The Horn Book Magazine ""Turner's well-researched text gives readers insights into eighteenth-century European society as well as the history of astronomy and the personal challenges faced by Caroline Herschel. The many dark, impressionistic paintings illustrate her struggles particularly well. This picture-book biography presents a... vivid account of Caroline Herschel's notable life."" -- Booklist"

Author Information

Pamela S. Turner is the author of several acclaimed nonfiction books, including four in the Scientists in the Field series. A world traveler, she has lived in Japan (about which she wrote Hachiko) and has visited Uganda (about which she wrote Gorilla Doctors), the Philippines (about which she wrote Project Seahorse), South Carolina (about which she wrote The Frog Scientist), and Australia (about which she wrote The Dolphins of Shark Bay). She lives in Oakland, California. Vivien Mildenberger is a part of the Warren, an artists' studio where she works on illustrations, pottery, and other general magic-making. She loves illustrating for children most of all and has worked on many award-winning books, including the Robert F. Sibert Honor winner All In a Drop. She lives on a lovely farm just outside Nashville, Tennessee.

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