The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne

Discovering the Stuff of Stars

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

(pub. 1.27.2026)

56 pages

Ages 7 -12

Author: Laura Alary

   Illustrator: Yas Imamura

Character: Cecilia Payne

Overview:

" Cecilia Payne loved learning to see nature’s wonders, even things other people called impossible. While studying at Cambridge, she dreamed of becoming a great astronomer like the ones she read about in the library. But too many people thought women didn’t belong among stars or atoms. 

So, Cecilia packed her bags for Harvard, where she could surround herself with women who also loved astronomy and physics. These 'Harvard Computers' shared their treasures with her―thousands of photographs of starlight. Cecilia found a way to read the patterns in these photos and started asking big questions.  Could these photos show her what stars are made of? What if they showed Cecilia something all the great astronomers called impossible?"

Tantalizing taste:

"Other children looked up at the stars and imagined fantastic things: celestial campfires, twinkling diamonds, holes snipped in the velvet dome of heaven. But Cecilia saw a mystery to be solved. She wanted to know what the stars really were."

And something more: The author, Laura Alaray, shared in the Author's Note: "Cecilia's resourcefulness was one aspect of the unique kind of self-confidence she possessed... Cecilia was confident because she worked hard and knew how to do thorough and careful research. When she was sure she was right about sometihng, she stuck to her position because she trusted herself ...

Of course you don't have to be a girl to be inspired by Cecilia Payne. Maybe you just feel different. Out of place. Maybe you know what you want to be and do, but there seem to be too many obstacles blocking your way. Maybe you will think of Cecilia and take heart. I hope so."