The story of Maria Mitchell and the childhood curiosity that led her to a love of astronomy is wonderfully told in this picture book biography. The author carefully shows that Maria found ways to satisfy her own voracious curiosity "feeding her mind with ideas as sweet and juicy as oranges." Incidents such as repairing a broken chronometer or fixing her own telescope emphasize her determination and ingenuity. Collage illustrations capture the look and feel of Maria's nights stargazing with her father in early 1800s Nantucket. The endless curiosity that led her to decide "she would rather look for stars than whales" is reinforced by the images of her collecting items on the beach, reading constantly, and the repeated inclusion of her journal in various scenes. The story comes full circle as Maria returns to the seaside with her own nieces and nephews. Back matter includes an author's note about life in Maria's day, her Quaker background, and her belief in freedom of choice for boys and girls, as well as a list of resources.
I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.
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