Annie Jump Cannon, Astronomer - Hardcover

by Carole Gerber (Author)

This illustrated biography of the woman who holds the world record for identifying stars is "an excellent book about a true astronomical pioneer" (Paul Kohlmiller, editor, San Jose Astronomical Association newsletter).

This brilliantly illustrated children's book depicts the achievements of a woman who developed an important system of classifying stars. To this day, Annie Jump Cannon holds the record for identifying more stars than anyone else in the world. In 1925, she became a professor of astronomy at Harvard and the first woman to receive a Doctor of Science degree from Oxford University.

Born during the Civil War, Cannon was determined to pursue a career in astronomy. From her childhood days of studying the constellations with her mother, to her education at Wellesley College and her job in the Harvard Observatory, this biography by a winner of the John Burroughs Nature Writing Award follows Cannon's inspirational path to success. It notes the challenges the astronomer faced, such as an illness that left her partially deaf and gender discrimination, while capturing her shining moments as she worked to become the "census-taker of the stars."

Front Jacket

"Parents and teachers ask me for the names of books for their primary school children. I'm honored to recommend Annie Jump Cannon, Astronomer by Carole Gerber, an excellent book about a true astronomical pioneer."
-Paul Kohlmiller, editor, San Jose Astronomical Association newsletter

Born in 1863 to an affluent family, Annie Jump Cannon grew up in Dover, Delaware, and learned to identify the constellations from her mother. Her love of astronomy serves as the basis for this inspirational and beautifully illustrated story.

A brilliant student, Annie graduated first in her high-school class, then attended Wellesley College where a bout of scarlet fever left her partially deaf. Despite this setback, she graduated on schedule in 1884 with a degree in physics. A decade later, she returned to Wellesley to study astronomy. In 1896, the director of the nearby Harvard Observatory hired Annie to work on a project that would become her life's work: classifying all the stars in the night sky. Annie developed a system for classifying stars from hottest to coldest, which is still used.

Annie's love for her work shaped her life, and she became known as "the census-taker of the stars." Throughout her long career, Annie Jump Cannon earned many awards, including being the first woman to be honored by Oxford University with a doctor of science, and classified nearly 400,000 stars-a world record that still stands.

Carole Gerber is the author of fifteen picture books, three chapter books, and more than one hundred elementary science and reading texts. A former teacher, she holds a BS in English education and an MA in journalism from Ohio State University. In her spare time, she reads, gardens, and practices yoga. Gerber lives in Powell, Ohio.

Christina Wald has provided illustrations for toys, games, books, and magazines. Her wide array of clients includes Scholastic Inc., National Geographic, Houghton Mifflin, and LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in industrial design, Wald resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Author Biography

Carole Gerber is a poet, a children's book author, and a freelance writer. In addition to teaching at the middle school and high school levels, she served as an adjunct professor of journalism at Ohio State University. Gerber has also worked as an editor of a company magazine and written elementary textbooks, magazine articles, speeches, and education materials. She became intrigued by Cannon's story when working on a social studies project. After receiving a BS in English, she earned an MA in journalism from Ohio State University. Her accolades include an Outstanding Science Trade Book award from Children's Book Council and National Science Teachers Association, a John Burroughs Nature Writing Award, and an APEX Grand Award. In addition to writing, Gerber sponsors children through World Vision, a Christian relief organization, and volunteers as a tour guide for children at a local nature preserve and farm. She enjoys gardening, reading, traveling, and practicing yoga in her spare time. The mother of two grown daughters, Gerber lives in Powell, Ohio, with her husband.