Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

This biography of astronomer Edwin Hubble, once a boy looking up at the night sky, is a tribute to his life's work and the joys of staying curious.When he was n he was a boy, Edwin's mother and grandfather were supportive of his interests, but when he was older, his father forbade him from studying astronomy. Hubble spent years working as a teacher, but his mind continued to dwell in the stars. After his father's death, he followed his dreams, worked at Mount Wilson Observatory, studied galaxies, and proved both that the universe is much bigger than was previously thought-depicted in a striking double gatefold-and that it is expanding. The spreads featuring sprawling night skies dotted with stars are especially beguiling. And the book's lovely pacing affords ample space to pay tribute to the sense of wonder that guided Hubble throughout his life, the repeated refrain being a set of three questions, printed in silver type, that haunted him: "How many stars are in the sky? How did the universe begin? Where did it come from?" The portion of the book about his discovery that the Andromeda Nebula is a separate galaxy gives credit where it's due, paying tribute to Henrietta Swan Leavitt, an astronomer whose work came before Hubble's. The story's concluding direct address to readers-"Look….Look up at the stars"-is genuinely inspiring. All characters are White. Backmatter provides more details on Hubble's discoveries and includes a bibliography.Lively and wondrous-readers will be star-struck. (Picture book/biography. 6-12.)

ALA Booklist (Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2020)

From an early age Edwin Hubble loved stars, a passion supported by his grandfather's gift of a telescope at age eight. Although he trained as an attorney (as his father wished), he never practiced; eventually he studied astronomy and secured a position at Mount Wilson Observatory, in California. Throughout, Marinov's simple text emphasizes Hubble's lifelong questions: "How many stars are in the sky? How did the universe begin? Where did it come from?" She also clarifies several of his most important accomplishments: measuring distances between stars, the expansion of the universe (Hubble's law), and his construction of the Hale telescope. Marcero's mixed-media illustrations (acrylic, watercolor, pencil, and ink) use a limited palette (black and white, with accents in blues, greens, and purples) reflective of the night skies depicted. Human figures appear in appropriate period dress, and celestial bodies sparkle elegantly against pitch-black skies. Although there is very little personal information included, the appended author and illustrator notes and further information about Hubble's discoveries make this useful for primary astronomy units.

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

Set against a dramatic background of black, white, and ice-blue watercolors, this picture-book biography of Edwin Hubble (1889-1953) emphasizes the vastness and wonder of the night sky that drove his passion for astronomy. As a child, Edwin would gaze up at the heavens, asking: "How many stars are in the sky? How did the universe begin? Where did it come from?" His father had little patience for such diversions and discouraged Edwin's interest in science. After his father's death, however, Edwin enrolled in the University of Chicago to major in astronomy. Taking his first job at the Mount Wilson Observatory (where striking illustrations show him, night after night, at its giant telescope), Hubble discovered that the Milky Way is but one galaxy, merely a small part of a vast universe. The book's explanation of how Hubble proved that the universe is expanding may be beyond the complete understanding of the audience, but referencing the previous work of astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt helps show children that scientists do not act alone, but rather metaphorically stand on the shoulders of others. Repeated throughout the text, the three questions that initiated Hubble's interest emphasize his lifelong drive and persistence. Also repeated are visual motifs, first a grouping of stars, reminiscent of thought balloons, surrounding Hubble's head when he studies or contemplates astronomy; more striking is the vast majesty of the night sky that dominates both Hubble's interest and the reader's attention. Appended with author and illustrator notes, additional information about Edwin Hubble and the Hubble-Lemaitre Law, and a bibliography.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

This biography of astronomer Edwin Hubble, once a boy looking up at the night sky, is a tribute to his life's work and the joys of staying curious.When he was n he was a boy, Edwin's mother and grandfather were supportive of his interests, but when he was older, his father forbade him from studying astronomy. Hubble spent years working as a teacher, but his mind continued to dwell in the stars. After his father's death, he followed his dreams, worked at Mount Wilson Observatory, studied galaxies, and proved both that the universe is much bigger than was previously thought-depicted in a striking double gatefold-and that it is expanding. The spreads featuring sprawling night skies dotted with stars are especially beguiling. And the book's lovely pacing affords ample space to pay tribute to the sense of wonder that guided Hubble throughout his life, the repeated refrain being a set of three questions, printed in silver type, that haunted him: "How many stars are in the sky? How did the universe begin? Where did it come from?" The portion of the book about his discovery that the Andromeda Nebula is a separate galaxy gives credit where it's due, paying tribute to Henrietta Swan Leavitt, an astronomer whose work came before Hubble's. The story's concluding direct address to readers-"Look….Look up at the stars"-is genuinely inspiring. All characters are White. Backmatter provides more details on Hubble's discoveries and includes a bibliography.Lively and wondrous-readers will be star-struck. (Picture book/biography. 6-12.)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Marinov and Marcero pair up to create this visually striking biography of astronomer Edwin Hubble, whose insatiable curiosity led to groundbreaking discoveries about the cosmos in the early 20th century. Straightforward storytelling details young Hubble-s early obsession with the sky throughout his Missouri childhood and first career as a teacher and basketball coach, then his transition into astronomy, while mixed-media illustrations evoke the immenseness of the universe in compositions, including an impressive gatefold, that emphasize star-studded skies. Paneled vignettes pace the story, while diagrams and maps extend the narrative and illustrate astrophysical phenomena (e.g., a lunar eclipse). Back matter, including author and illustrator notes and a brief biography, further explains Hubble-s major contributions to astronomy-helping show the universe-s sprawling size and adding evidence to the theory that it-s expanding-concluding a book that should spark the imagination of young sky-watchers while introducing the scientist for whom a modern space telescope is named. Ages 7-10. (Jan.)