The Stuff Between the Stars

January 1, 2021
A star-struck girl becomes a renowned astronomer. From childhood, Vera Rubin loved the stars, noting their movements from her bedroom window. Fascinated by the galaxies' rotations, she was determined to become a scientist and became the only female astronomy major at Vassar College. Marriage and motherhood didn't deter her from developing a solid career in teaching and research. Rubin earned her doctorate and, doing painstaking calculations, made major astronomical breakthroughs--that were dismissed at first due to the sexist assumptions of the male scientific community (depicted by Sicuro as almost uniformly White as well). Eventually, her ideas were accepted and respected. Working at the Palomar Observatory, Rubin made her seminal discovery that "dark matter" explains the phenomenon that stars at the edges of galaxies move as quickly as those at the center--and that it makes up most of the universe. This engaging biography will appeal to budding scientists, particularly those with a penchant for sky searching. Some of it may go over some students' heads, though the author does a good job conveying concepts in a compact, uncomplicated manner. Rubin is White and portrayed as appealing, dedicated, and determined to make her way in a men's-only world; she shows it's cool being a highly intelligent, science-loving female. Several Rubin quotes are included, and a lovely Rubin epigraph concludes the book. Numerous delicate illustrations aptly feature dark blue, star-spangled, galactic backgrounds. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.5-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 48.6% of actual size.) A creditable, earnest biography of a famed woman scientist. (author's note, timeline, notes, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 7-10)

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February 15, 2021
Grades 2-5 In the face of constant derision from male peers, Vera Rubin persevered to become one of the most important contributors to modern astronomy. Nickel tracks the scientist's burgeoning interest over the course of her life, beginning with childhood, when an 11-year-old Rubin became fascinated with the night sky. Later, she enrolled at Vassar as the only astronomy major in her class. When she began to wonder if the galaxies all orbited a center point in the universe, she put forth the theory to scoffing male audiences. Though discouraged, Rubin kept teaching and researching, not only confirming her theories but also realizing they provided evidence for the existence of dark matter. The text does a wonderful job of introducing not only Rubin but also the fascinating science she studied. Dreamy watercolor, ink, and charcoal illustrations poignantly compare her years of scientific toil on the outskirts of the astronomy community to the way a lonely star might turn on the edges of the galaxies that Rubin so loved to study. A truly beautiful story of perseverance and passion.

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March 1, 2021

Gr 2-6-Vera Rubin (1928-2016), an American astronomer born in Philadelphia and the daughter of Jewish immigrants, broke new ground in the topic of dark matter. Nickel's picture book chronicles Rubin's journey, showcasing her childhood fascination with the stars, her perseverance to overcome sexism in the scientific community, and her discoveries that set the stage for ongoing research today. Sicuro's watercolor, ink, and charcoal illustrations depict the characters in mid-century clothing and allow the cosmos to soar. Readers will be inspired by the vastness of the universe as they learn about Rubin's discoveries. She is portrayed as a warm and loving mother and wife who marveled at the wonders of the night sky. As with many picture book biographies, the text emphasizes Rubin's strength of character rather than relaying in-depth details about every aspect of her life. An author's note and a time line provide more clarity. Further explanation about dark matter in the main text could have helped readers' comprehension. This title would work well in classroom lessons focused on astronomy topics, and it provides an excellent representation of women in science. VERDICT A strong addition to youth biography collections, especially where STEM fields are emphasized.-Kelly Jahng, South Park Elem. Sch., IL

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