Kid Scientists

Neil deGrasse Tyson

One starry night, in the autumn of 1957, the life of nine-year-old Neil deGrasse Tyson changed forever. In the middle of a vast, domed amphitheater, the house lights dimmed and a booming voice announced: "We are now in the universe, and here are the stars."
     Comets streaked. Planets whirled. The moon waxed and the constellations appeared. A meteor vaporized, leaving a glowing trail in its wake. Seated in the dark, Neil was transfixed by a celestial light show the likes of which he had never seen.
     This was Neil s first visit to a planetarium the Hayden Planetarium in New York City and his first encounter with the wonders of astronomy, the science of observing the sky.
     When the lights rose, Neil realized that what he had just seen was only an amazing simulation projected onto the theater s dome. Nevertheless, Neil s interest had been piqued, and his imagination fired. He decided then and there that he wanted to follow the stars for the rest of his life.
      The study of the universe would be my career, he said later, and no force on Earth would stop me. From then on, whenever someone asked Neil what he wanted to be when he grew up, he proudly answered: "I'm going to be an astrophysicist!"
     What seemed like a journey of a thousand light years was in fact just a short ride on a subway. Neil grew up in New York City, not far from the Hayden Planetarium, in the Castle Hill neighborhood of the Bronx. Later, he lived in Riverdale, in the fittingly named Skyview Apartments. Neil was the second of three children. Both his parents worked for the U.S. government.
     Neil attended public school in New York City, and he did not distinguish himself in the classroom. One teacher complained on his report

David Stabler is the author of Kid Presidents (Quirk, 2014), Kid Athletes (Quirk, 2015), Kid Artists (Quirk, 2016), and Kid Authors (Quirk, 2017). He Lives in New York City.

Anoosha Syed is an illustrator and character designer for animation. She lives in Toronto.

#1 on the New York Journal of Books Notable Children's Books 2018 list
Finalist for the 2020 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books

For your budding astrophysicist, inventor, doctor, environmentalist, or mathematician, Kid Scientists will open her eyes with mini-bios of interesting and accomplished people.  Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez

This book is a great way to encourage kids who already love science to pursue their interests as well as to show kids who are not motivated by traditional schooling that there are many paths to greatness. American Scientist Magazine 

Most children should enjoy reading it, without noticing how much they are learning, as they internalize the idea that they, too, can grow up to be scientists. Science

Portraits of 16 bright lights in the scientific firmament, with particular focus on some of their lesser-known quirks and achievements...Worthy role models all. Kirkus Reviews

Lively and informative. Booklist

A funny and inspiring book for children and adults. New York Journal of Books 

Kid Scientists is filled with cute illustrations. . . [and] mini-biographies that are interesting, funny, and, most importantly, relevant to kids today. Geek Dad

I can think of no better way to convey to children that their heroes were once just like them. Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star
 
Praise for the Kid Legends series:
Just like history class, only hilarious. Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Ever, on Kid Presidents
 
Outstanding... Inspiring and entertaining. Booklist, starred review, on Kid Athletes

With cartoonish illustrations that will attract fans of Jeff Kinney s The Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Rachel Renée Russell s The Dork Diaries, this informative offering leaves no presidential childhood rock unturned. School Library Journal, on Kid Presidents
 
A heartening reminder that 17