Reviews

ForeWord Magazine, Reviewer for independently published books:

Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars is an easy-to-read history of women in astronomy. It uses engaging language that keeps the reader's attention. A handy timeline tracing the history of astronomy from 4000 B.C.E. to modern times runs along the bottom of many pages.

This book will become a good reference for educators and guidance counselors of students.

George Johnson, NY Times Science writer, author of Miss Leavitt’s Stars:

A marvelous job on Women Astronomers. It will serve an important purpose in interesting young women in the stars.

Jane Kirkpatrick, Award-winning author of two non-fiction books and 12 novels:

"Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars is a gift I'll give to every young woman in my life.  Who knew that "computers" was the title given women astronomers keeping technical research data?  Who knew that "comet sweepers" was a needed task or that women's roles were attached to early comets and desalination apparatus and our understanding of the birth and deaths of galaxies?  Fortunately Mabel Armstrong knew all of that and so much more.  In en engaging and thoughtful book for young adults, she has given the rest of us a fabulous and hopeful book about historical female stars in astronomy and the contemporary rising stars in an arena of science and math pursuits.  It was never easy for these women rising in a predominately male field, but they combined their fine intellect with their passion and the world is a better, more informed place because of it.  Regardless of your age or gender, Reaching for the Stars is a gift to give yourself." 

Amy Largent, Student, age 9. Review on Amazon.com:

Reviewed by Avery Largent (9) for Reader Views (5/08)

"Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars" is an exciting book of many tales of (yeah, you guessed it!) amazing women astronomers throughout time. Starting with EnHeduanna, born 2350 BC, and ending with Jill Cornell Tarter, born 1944, this book leads you through an exciting track of those historic women who became astronomers, despite what troubles come in their way.

At first glance, "Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars" seems like a boring old science book. But if you take a closer look, you'll see it's an exciting and inspiring book. I think all girls who hope to be scientists or astronomers should read it. In the stories, it doesn't just talk about the women and about how they did certain things, it also explains the science behind their discoveries. In one spot, it shows how astronomers use physical constants. The speed of light is one constant astronomers use, and I found that part a very interesting read. When the author explains things, you feel like you're a scientist yourself, sitting in a science lab and learning to be an astronomer alongside these other great women.

Author Mabel Armstrong is obviously an expert in science. She knows so much about each astronomer, you might have thought she had been friends with every one of these fantastic women. Beside her knowledge, her musical, descriptive words tell inspiring stories. The women in the story show spirit, bravery, and determination. Most of the women in the stories are unsupported by their families just because they are women. They were not taken seriously. When the astronomers were interviewed in their time periods, they were asked silly and personal questions that sometimes didn't even relate to space, like, "Do you cry when you get angry?" However, the women always just ignored their skeptics, and they worked hard to become what they had aimed to be. Anyone who reads this book will be inspired to follow the lead of these amazing women.

I would recommend "Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars" to my friends, and I am excited to reread the book. It's a real page-turner; the exciting tales keep you reading for hours on end. I hope every girl who wants to be an astronomer at least once reads these engrossing stories. I'm looking forward to reading whatever Mabel Armstrong comes out with next.

Booklist Magazine, published by the American Library Association, providing librarians with reviews to help them decide what to buy:

The first volume in the Discovering Women in Science series, this large-format paperback introduces significant women in astronomy, beginning with EnHeduanna, a Babylonian Chief Astronomer Priestess who lived around 2350 BCE, and Hypatia of Alexandria, a renowned fifth-century Greek scholar. Nineteen subsequent chapters, featuring scientists that include the first American to have discovered a comet and a designer of the Hubble space telescope, span the gap between ancient times and the present day.

With the exception of Sally Ride, the subjects are not well known, but their achievements are notable. Other women astronomers are profiled briefly in sidebars. Photos and other images appear throughout the book, which is also brightened by tan and gold highlights. A worthy addition to science collections, this well-documented biography not only fills gaps in existing books on astronomers but also offers engaging accounts of the women's careers as well as unusually clear explanations of what they achieved and why each discovery was important.

Midwest Book Review, :

Over five thousand years ago, ancient Babylonian priestesses correctly anticipated solar eclipses and arrivals of comets. "Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars" is a part of Stone Pine Presses' Discovering Women in Science Series, and outlines how the fairer sex has made significant contributions to the science of astronomy, focusing on the past hundred years with references to such ancient contributions such as the Babylonian priestesses above. Author Mabel Armstrong, a teacher of science for over a quarter of a century, speaks of her own obstacles in the field and gives advice to other aspiring female astronomers. "Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars" is highly recommended for women's studies and science shelves everywhere and for any girl astronomer-to-be.

Michael Shara, Curator of astrophysics, American Museum of Natural History:

I’m happy to endorse this excellent set of brief biographies of many of the greatest women astronomers. Some of their stories of lifelong discrimination in their chosen field are terribly sad. However, these women’s brilliance and perseverance shines through in this book. I hope it inspires many young women to consider astronomy as a career.

C. Louise Thomas, Director, Kalama Public Library:

 Women? Science? Do they really go together? Yes, they do. Author Mabel Armstrong is bringing that message to young girls interested in science with her book series Discovering Women in Science. The series begins with the book; Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars.

 This book is a winner on three levels. It gives the interested young girl a history of astronomy, it examines and explains basic concepts and it introduces the young reader to women who have made and continue to make significant contributions to our understanding of our solar system and the universe.

 The book is well organized, easy to read and has great photos and clip art. Best of all it introduces young female readers to modern women who are successfully working in a science normally dominated by men. I highly recommend this book to all schools and libraries and to anyone who has a daughter, granddaughter, niece or young female friend with an interest in science.

Judy Yero, Author of Teaching in Mind: How Teacher Thinking Shapes Education:

Women in Astronomy: Reaching for the stars is a fascinating and much-welcomed addition to the literature available to young women interested in science. Students whose exposure to ‘early astronomers’ often includes only Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler may be amazed to learn abouat women astronomers, such as EnHeduanna, a high ranking priestess-astronomer in Babylon who studied the heavens 5000 years ago, or Hypatia, a highly educated Greek women whose inventions, including the astrolabe, greatly aided navigation in the 4 th century. These are but the first of several dozen women who, often unsung, made significant contributions to the field of astronomy throughout the centuries.

Each story begins with a personal glimpse into the lives of the women and what drew them, often over the objections of men, to the field of astronomy. The stories go on to explain the significant contributions made by each woman. Up to and including the first American women astronauts, and those who work today to advance the field of astronomy, the women profiled in Women in Astronomy are magnificent role models for today’s budding scientists. A very worthwhile addition to any school or public library or as supplemental reading in science classes.

 School Library Journal, John Peters, New York Public Library:

Armstrong kicks off a planned series with profiles of 21 sky watchers throughout history, plus thumbnail introductions to dozens more. Opening with EnHeduanna, a Babylonian priestess of around 2350 BCE, and closing with a captioned photo gallery of "Rising Stars," the author draws on a mix of published sources and personal correspondence to describe how each of her subjects overcame pervasive prejudice and social pressure to pursue basic educations, earn degrees, land decent jobs, make important discoveries, and, in many cases, become role models for younger contemporaries.

Though the "overcoming gender-based adversity" theme plays loudly throughout, aside from Maria Mitchell and Sally Ride none of these women has received anything close to her due in resources for young readers.

Consequently, despite a few minor errors (e.g., references to the "surface" of Jupiter and the confusion of "parsec" with "megaparsec"), this volume will make a significant addition to any library or even classroom collection.

Enhanced by side explanations of relevant science topics, a good-sized selection of photos and other illustrations, and a set of chapter-specific sources at the end, it shows equal promise for reference and as inspiration for career-minded students.

-John Peters, New York Public Library for the School Library Journal