What Stars Are Made Of

Libby, born with a heart three sizes too big, is determined to become a scientist despite her challenges. She enters a contest and wins the first-place prize money, which she uses to support her sister's growing family.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2021
Publisher: Palgrave USA

Libby, a young girl with Turner Syndrome, was born with a heart three sizes too big. Despite her challenges, she dreams of becoming a scientist. Her hero is astronomer Cecilia Payne, who discovered the composition of stars. When Libby's sister Nonny announces her pregnancy, Libby decides to enter a contest with the prize money going towards Nonny's growing family. However, caring for Nonny and navigating school with her unique set of challenges requires more tenacity than Libby ever thought possible.

Libby's heart was three sizes too big, a condition that caused her to face numerous challenges throughout her life. She had to take daily shots to regulate her health, couldn't participate in monkey bars, and struggled with reading social cues. Despite these obstacles, Libby never let her condition define her. She had a fierce determination to pursue her dreams and become a scientist.

One of Libby's heroes was astronomer Cecilia Payne, who made groundbreaking discoveries about the composition of stars. Libby was inspired by Payne's achievements and felt a deep connection to her work. She read books about astronomy, watched documentaries, and even visited museums to learn more about the universe.

As Libby grew older, her sister Nonny became pregnant and was expecting her first child. Libby knew that she wanted to do something special for her sister and her growing family. She decided to enter a contest with the prize money going towards Nonny's expenses. The contest was open to students in her school, and Libby spent countless hours researching and writing her entry.

Her essay was about the life and work of Cecilia Payne, highlighting her achievements and the impact that she had made on the field of astronomy. Libby poured her heart and soul into her writing, and she was determined to win the contest.

Finally, the day of the contest arrived, and Libby was nervous but excited. She presented her essay to the judges, and they were impressed by her passion and dedication. To her surprise, Libby won the first prize, which was a twenty-five thousand dollar scholarship.

Libby was overjoyed with her victory, but she knew that the real prize was helping her sister and her growing family. She decided to donate the entire scholarship prize to Nonny's family. Nonny was touched by Libby's generosity and thanked her from the bottom of her heart.

With the scholarship money, Nonny was able to purchase a new home and provide for her growing family. She was able to take care of her health and give her baby the best possible start in life. Libby was proud of her sister and felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that she had made a difference in her life.

In addition to her victory in the contest, Libby faced many challenges in her school life. She had to work harder than her peers to keep up with her studies, and she often felt isolated from her classmates. However, Libby refused to let her challenges hold her back. She sought out support from her teachers and counselors, and she joined a club that focused on science and technology.

Through her club, Libby met other students who shared her passion for science and technology. She collaborated with them on projects and learned from their experiences. She also participated in science fairs and competitions, where she showcased her skills and gained recognition for her work.

Despite the challenges that Libby faced, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a scientist. She continued to work hard and pursue her passions, and she was determined to make a difference in the world.

In conclusion, Libby was born with a heart three sizes too big, but she never let that define her. She was determined to pursue her dreams and become a scientist, and she was inspired by the achievements of astronomer Cecilia Payne. Through her hard work and determination, Libby won a scholarship prize and donated it to her sister's growing family. She faced many challenges in her school life, but she never gave up on her dream. Libby's story is a testament to the power of determination and the impact that one person can make in the world.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250763297