Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer (She Made History)

Nancy Grace Roman had some problems to overcome in her childhood. She had vision problems until she was finally able to get glasses. Even then, her eyes were so weak, sometimes she had to take long breaks from reading her beloved astronomy books. Her family moved around a lot when she was young. But the one constant for her was the night sky with the beautiful moon and so many twinkling stars. She loved the sky and wanted to learn more and more about it, but she was not encouraged in that love because science wasn’t considered ladylike. But she persevered and studied astronomy in college and eventually became the chief of astronomy at NASA, championing the necessary people and equipment needed to put the Hubble telescope into space.

Author Laura Gehl has written a wonderful biography that is certain to inspire children, particularly girls, who have an interest in science and math. The gorgeous illustrations by Louise Picott and Alex Oxton will invite children to keep their eyes on the pages searching for interesting details found there. An interesting and encouraging Author’s note and a timeline of Nancy Grace Roman’s life complete this stellar book.