Book Descriptions
for Wanda Hears the Stars by Amy S. Hansen, Wanda Díaz Merced, and Rocío Arreola Mendoza
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Growing up in a small town in the rainforests of Puerto Rico, Wanda Diaz Merced did not often get to see the stars due to the thick forest canopy. However, on a fishing trip with her father, the night sky captivated her scientific curiosity. She pushed herself through school and made it to college, where she studied physics, but her life changed when her vision deteriorated as the result of diabetes in her junior year. In a short amount of time, Wanda became blind. Through the encouragement of her roommate, she sought support in navigating campus and college life with her disability. Afraid that she would have to give up her study of physics, a friend turned her on to the sounds of space. Suddenly, Wanda’s ability to hear the stars gave her a new way to pursue her studies and passion. Animated illustrations and descriptive text show how Wanda’s sharp, careful hearing allowed her to make a successful career analyzing radio waves from space. While there is an inspirational quality to Wanda’s story, the focus on scientific discovery through sound is fascinating. Extensive end matter, including a glossary, round out this picture book biography.
CCBC Choices 2026. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2026. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
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. 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
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. 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
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
