What Stars Are Made Of

February 24, 2020
In this assured debut, science whiz Libby Monroe shines when she selects Cecilia Payne, an astronomer who first determined the composition of stars, for an American History profile of someone excluded from the textbook. Like the author, 12-year-old Libby has Turner Syndrome, which means she has a single X chromosome, her heart is “three sizes too big,” and she looks different from her classmates. Libby’s intellectual curiosity already makes her stand out from her peers, but some elements of her condition, such as the fact that she wears hearing aids, make forming friendships difficult. She considers the library her best friend, until new girl Talia Latu moves to Colorado. Allen deftly sketches the dynamics of Libby’s close-knit family, conveying Libby’s anxiety when her older sister Nonny’s pregnancy develops complications. To solve Nonny’s financial problems, Libby dreams of winning the Smithsonian Women in STEM contest, which offers a cash award. Though a thread about Libby’s contacting the textbook’s editor feels tangential, it offers comedy and a lesson in disappointment and persistence. This witty novel’s heroine proves winning, whether or not she gains top prize. Ages 10–14.

February 21, 2020

Gr 4 Up-Twelve-year-old Libby was born with Turner's syndrome, which occurs when a female person is born with one X chromosome. Although this condition affects the way she looks and learns, Libby is just like every other kid with passions, dreams, and worries. When she finds out her sister, Nonny, is pregnant, Libby fears the baby will be born with complications. Wanting to help, she throws herself into the Smithsonian's Women in STEM competition; she's determined to win the top prize of $25,000 to give to her sister, who struggles financially. Libby's project? Earning a spot for the brilliant but overlooked scientist Cecilia Payne in the next edition of the textbook she uses in school. Along the way, her family and her new friend Talia support her. Allen, who herself has Turner's syndrome, gracefully tackles heavy topics in her debut novel, including bullying and premature babies. Readers will empathize with spunky Libby's social stumbles and will root for her as she dares to dream big. A tender novel about love, loyalty, and finding yourself, this will win a place in many readers' hearts. VERDICT An #OwnVoices novel that will be an important addition to any collection.-Amy McInerney, Falmouth Elementary School, ME

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2020
Grades 4-7 Libby Monroe is a seventh grader who loves science and has a habit of conversing with notable people in her mind. She also has an optimistic disposition and Turner's syndrome, a chromosomal condition found only in girls. Turner's syndrome causes many complications in Libby's life: her body has characteristics associated with it, so she is sometimes bullied, and she struggles with some skills, including interpersonal ones. Her family life is warm and loving, however, with her sister, Nonny, providing a huge chunk of support. When Libby enters a competition from the Smithsonian, writing a letter to introduce an unrecognized woman in STEM, she works hard not only on her entry about astronomer Cecilia Payne, but also on developing a friendship with a new student at her school. Libby's sparkling first-person narrative is directed straight at the reader, and her optimism is infectious. Allen has Libby convey information about Turner's syndrome without sounding contrived, since it's part of Libby's somewhat filter-less personality. All the primary characters shine in this impressive debut.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)