Maria longs to be an astronomer wish that burns as brightly as a star. But girls in the nineteenth century dont grow up to be scientists, especially those who are needed at home. Each night when her papa sweeps the sky with his telescope, Maria sweeps the floor below, imagining all the strange worlds he can travel to from the rooftop of their Nantucket home.Then one night Maria finally gets her chance to look through her papas telescope. For the first time, she beholds the night sky stretching endlessly above her, and her dream of exploring the comets and constellations seems close enough to touch.Loosely based on the childhood of Maria (pronounced maRYEah) Mitchell, Americas first woman astronomer, and illuminated by Deborah Laninos starswept illustrations, here is an exquisitely told story of a girl who yearns for adventure beyond her limited circumstances, and sets out to follow her heart.
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999 words32 pagesLexile AD1000LGrade P to 3Age 4-8
Published 20039780689856785
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