Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars (She Made History) by Jodie Parachini

Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars (She Made History) Reviews

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  Holly

  For JE biography collection
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  Amanda

  Another woman who didn't get credit for her discoveries while male colleagues were recognized and rewarded? Color me not surprised. A fascinating read with lovely illustrations full of girl power. I didn't know this is how pulsars got their names. I loved Jocelyn Bell Burnell's tenacity and curiosity.
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  Jo Oehrlein

  Wish it explained more about the wire draped over the acreage and how it related to the radio dish we see as the radio telescope.
  
  Hate that there's ANOTHER female scientist who didn't get credit for her discoveries. (Reminds me of Rosalind Franklin.)
  
  For other stories about astronomers
  *
  Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars
  *
  Look Up!: The Story of the First Woman Astronomer
  *
  What Miss Mitchell Saw
  *
  She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer
  *
  The Stuff Between the Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe
  *
  The Boy Whose Head Was Filled With Stars: A Story About Edwin Hubble
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  V

  Listening to the Stars is a brief picture book biography of the scientist who discovered pulsars. It is ideal for an early grade/preschool audience. Almost-6YO T chose it as a bedtime story last night; it kept him interested, was a fitting length, and had pictures that were calming to look at (I'm contrasting this with our usual fare of Last Kids on Earth, where post-apocalyptic action hero Jack Sullivan battles monsters and zombies).
  
  Readers will learn about Bell Burnell's pursuit of an academic (not domestic) education, her path into astronomy, and her discovery of pulsars. Readers will learn the basics of what pulsars are and how she found them using radio satellite. I was infuriated to learn that she was denied the Nobel Prize, but awed to see how many barriers she broke, both as a woman and as a scientist. I would have liked more details about her life; Listening to the Stars covers major events.
  
  Listening to the Stars fits well into either a space theme or a women's history theme. We selected it as part of our star-themed week, alongside other space selections like Cat's Guide to the Night Sky and Mission to Space. As we read, however, similarities between Bell Burnell, Switzer, Warren, and Bader Ginsburg jumped out at us. If you're looking for a women in science book for young ones, this is a solid foundation.
  
  
  Note: A review copy was provided by the publisher for our consideration and honest review.
• 
  Jill

  Jocelyn Bell, born in Northern Ireland in 1943, was fascinated by astronomy from the time she was a child.
  
  In school she excelled in math, astronomy, and physics, and was often the only female in her classes. She didn’t care for the idea that astronomers had to stay up late at night, however, and decided she would listen to the galaxy rather than look at it, which could be done at any time of day.
  
  At the University of Cambridge, she helped construct a radio telescope made of wires stretched across a 4.5 acre field. It took two years to make, and was ready in 1967.
  
  She began to analyze the sounds it captured, and discovered pulsars - a type of neutron star that sends out radio waves when it spins. (Neutron stars are stars that have exploded and condensed into small, spinning objects, as the glossary in the back matter tells us.) Jocelyn identified the first four neutron stars ever found. But in 1974, when the Nobel Prize for physics was awarded for the discovery of pulsars, it went to the two male professors who worked with her on the project.
  
  She went on to win other awards, however, including the $3 million Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. She used the prize money to set up a fund for young women who wanted to study the cosmos.
  
  The book concludes with a glossary, Author’s Note, and list of other books about women in physics and astrophysics.
  
  Charming illustrations in rich colors by Alexandra Badiu reflect her background in animation as well as her own interest in astronomy.
  
  Evaluation: The author does a great job of presenting research into the universe in a very accessible way. It also shows the obstacles faced by girls and women when they want to participate in fields traditionally dominated by and/or restricted to men.
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  Charlotte Offsay

  Don’t miss this fascinating and inspiring biography of astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell. From a young age, Burnell advocated for her right to study science and didn’t let other people’s opinions of gender roles or being overlooked when others were recognized for her accomplishments stop her. She helped build a radio telescope which helped her to discover a new type of star, pulsars – which some scientists considered the greatest astronomical discovery of the twentieth century. This gripping new picture book is beautifully written and complete with stunning illustrations. Please note that I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy of this beautiful new book in exchange for an honest review.
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  Debo

  Honestly, the illustrations for the pages with space content were BREATHTAKING (page 21f.!!!) and I am glad Jocelyn Bell Burnell gets remembered by this too, rockstar that she is, but since this is the "Rosalind Franklin discovered the double helix and two men were awarded the Noble Prize without her" bullshit all over again I am very much caught up on the "Jocelyn handled it with grace" part, because YES she did, I've seen the interviews, she's happy her field got recognition at all, but listen to her! That woman is angry and rightfully so, and we should be letting children know that's the appropriate response to this!
  That's many exclamation points, I do realise, but sexism in STEM, Jeeez
• 
  Liz

  A good narrative biography of astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell focusing on her big discovery of pulsars. Another woman who overcame a stupid number of hurdles to do the work she did for astrophysics. When astronomy finally gets a Nobel Prize, her name is left off the award. The digital illustrations use a lot blues and purples to complement her scientific work. Another great book for fans of the She Persisted books.
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  Bonnie Grover

  Listening to the Stars is a biography on Jocelyn Bell Burrell who was an astrophysicist who identified the first four neutron stars. Jocelyn continues to work to address the inequities in science and to provide opportunities for all girls and women interested in the stars and to follow their dreams.
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  Dina

  This book is a fascinating read about a little known scientist! Learning about Jocelyn Bell Burnell and her life throughout this book makes the reader want to know more about her life. The illustrations add to the text, it reads like a picture, and the author's note adds to the book. Two thumbs up for this book!
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  Jenn Adams

  Love this. Inspirational biography of an underrated woman in science! Don't love the cover but the rest of the art is nice.
  
  Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this eARc in exchange for my honest review.
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  Heather McC

  Jocelyn Bell pioneered a new type of telescope, one that could hear sounds and operate during the day. While she did not receive full credit for her contributions at the time, Bell did not let that deter her from celebrating progress or listening further to the stars.
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  Nessa

  The illustrations are so lovely in this book! Listening to the Stars is a fun biography - picture book about Jocelyn Bell. It talks about how she got interested in astronomy and physics and the obstacles she overcame.
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  Claire Wrobel

  Beautiful. Learned a lot, both about Jocelyn and about astronomy. Loved how this book talked about her passion, career, and discoveries, but also how she was treated in the scientific community as a woman and was passed over for her accomplishments. Definitely a higher level picture book.
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  J.J.

  An excellent book for young readers, especially young females interested in math and science, but one that also explains the complexities of the science and technology of the day as well as the expectations placed on women. History and science combined!
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  Andréa

  Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
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  Rebecca Caufman

  So great to read a story about a girl passionate about astronomy. I can't believe they left her name off the Nobel Prize in 1974 when she discovered it. Ugh.
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  Jillian Heise

  Add to Biography, Women in STEM, or Women's History Month text sets.
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  Brenda

  Great story
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  Jessica

  I wish this had talked more about the science behind a radio telescope, but it is always good to see an unrecognized scientist getting her due!
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  Michael

  A very inspiring story that didn't take the jab at "the patriarchy" that it could have.