Wanda Hears the Stars
A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe
Charlesbridge · Print & ebook · August 19, 2025
A nonfiction picture book biography of astrophysicist Wanda Díaz Merced and how losing her sight didn't stop her from studying the stars.
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- Who it’s for
- A picture-book biography makes an inventive path into astronomy, accessibility, and one scientist’s persistence.
- Themes
- Inclusive science, Perseverance through vision loss, Astronomy and discovery
- Genres
- Science & Tech Biographies for Kids, Astronomy, Special Needs
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Start with this bookAbout this book
A nonfiction picture book biography of astrophysicist Wanda Díaz Merced and how losing her sight didn't stop her from studying the stars. This 2026 Schneider Family Book Award winner is an inspiring true story of a woman scientist of color and a riveting, intersectional STEM read for ages 6–9. Growing up in Puerto Rico, Wanda Díaz Merced wanted to learn everything she could about the stars. But in college she started losing her sight.
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How could she study what she couldn't see? Wanda found a way. She learned to hear the stars using sonification, which converts data into sounds. Listening to those chimes and drumbeats, she made new discoveries about the universe. Today Wanda is a leading advocate for inclusive science. She and her friend Amy S. Hansen collaborated on this book to inspire children to follow their curiosity no matter the challenges. As Wanda urges, "Never give up!" Wanda Hears the Stars is the perfect picture book biography to inspire any STEM-minded future scientist! 2026 Schneider Book Award Winner
Listening to Stars
A picture-book biography makes an inventive path into astronomy, accessibility, and one scientist’s persistence.
Come here for
- The surprising link between sound and studying the stars
- A story of curiosity that meets a real obstacle
Expect
- An accessible biography of astrophysicist Wanda Díaz Merced
- Science framed through inclusion, discovery, and listening
Where it sits
| Science & Tech Biographies for Kids | 95% |
|---|---|
| Special Needs | 67% |
| Astronomy | 63% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Science & Tech Biographies for Kids
- Hispanic & Latino Life (U.S.)
- Special Needs
- Authors
- Amy S. Hansen, Wanda Díaz Merced
- Publisher
- Charlesbridge
- Published
- August 19, 2025
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Inclusive science · Perseverance through vision loss · Astronomy and discovery
- Reading lane
- Science & Tech Biographies for Kids