Marinov, Isabelle. Boy Whose Head Was Filled With Stars, The: A Life of Edwin Hubble. Deborah Marcero, Illus. Biography. Enchanted Lion, 01/2021. [52]pp. $17.95. 978-1-59270-317-3. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 2-5.
Delightful illustrations in cool-colored ink and pencil capture the charm and majesty of Edwin Hubble’s life, whose curiosity was nurtured by a grandfather and squelched by a father who didn’t view astronomy as a real profession. Only after his father’s death was Hubble able to pursue the answers to the questions that drove him: “How many stars are in the sky, How did the universe begin, Where did it come from?” Rich details, diagrams, and maps elevate understanding, and gently inform readers of astronomical facts. Hubble’s personality comes across, both in his choices and in quoted passages. Readers get glimpses of the astronomical community, including Henrietta Swan Leavitt and the questions that drove astronomers at the time. Most importantly, readers learn the two massive contributions that Hubble made to human understanding—the universe is far bigger than we thought, and it is getting bigger all the time. Back matter includes an author and illustrator’s note, bibliography, and two pages that give more detail about Hubble’s discoveries. This book has California-specific content.
Melissa McAvoy, Retired