Listening to the Stars by Jodie Parachini and Alexandra Badiu - ADVISABLE

Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars by Jodie Parachini, illustrated by Alexandra Badiu. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Albert Whitman, APRIL 2021. $17. 9780807545638 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

As a girl born in the 1940’s, Jocelyn loved science, especially the stars. She stood up for herself and found ways to get her education in a time when girls were expected to become homemakers. However, since she was only a student and a woman, when her research discovered the existence of pulsars, the Nobel prize went to her professor. None of that has stopped Jocelyn from continuing her work and encouraging other young women to explore the worlds through science. 

Teach science? Teach Women’s Studies? Either way, you need this book. Use it to leap into a discussion of women in science, or about the “mistakes” made the Nobel Prize Committee. Or even see what Burnell is doing right now. So many options! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS