The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars

Boundary-defying astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne (1900–1979) stars in this even-handed picture book biography. Early scenes highlight how a childhood spent immersed in the outdoors gives Payne the opportunity to hone her observational skills and learn to “always trust what she knew was right.” Later, as a scholarship student at Cambridge, an astronomy lecture lights “a fire inside her,” and text stresses her devotion to studying the stars. Hindered by exclusionary gender bias, the subject moves to Harvard, where she comes to the conclusion that stars are made of gas. While skeptics dismiss her research, Payne is eventually proved correct, and a gratifying close sees her sharing all she’s learned with students. Alary’s thoughtful narration illuminates both the scientific and social aspects of Payne’s life story, while Imamura’s skillful gouache and watercolor paintings are equally at ease depicting the figural and the celestial, resulting in both comfortable domestic scenes and glorious starry displays. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Extensive back matter includes an author’s note and timeline. Ages 7–12. (Jan.)