How to Hear the Universe
Gaby González and the Search for Einstein's Ripples in Space-Time
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Discover new realms of outer space in this picture book biography of scientist Gabriela Gonzalez, who immigrated to America and became a ground-breaking scientist. Written by a molecular biologist and illustrated by an award-winning artist, this stunning picture book explores science, space, and history.
In 1916, Albert Einstein had a theory. He thought that somewhere out in the universe, there were collisions in space. These collisions could cause little sound waves in the fabric of space-time that might carry many secrets of the distant universe. But it was only a theory. He could not prove it in his lifetime.
Many years later, an immigrant scientist named Gabriela Gonzalez asked the same questions. Armed with modern technology, she joined a team of physicists who set out to prove Einstein's theory. At first, there was nothing. But then... they heard a sound. Gabriela and her team examined, and measured, and re-measured until they were sure.
Completing the work that Albert Einstein had begun 100 years earlier, Gonzalez broke ground for new space-time research. In a fascinating picture book that covers 100 years, 2 pioneering scientists, and 1 trailblazing discovery, Patricia Valdez sheds light on a little known but extraordinary story.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Physicist Gabriela "Gaby" González (b. 1965) stars in this polished STEM biography that opens 100 years ago with a skillfully rendered, approachable description of Albert Einstein's theory that space-time could ripple. The problem: "Without a way to hear ripples in space-time, people considered Einstein's idea simply a fairy tale." Fast forward 50 years to Argentina, where young González develops a passion for physics. In lively prose, Valdez describes how González moves to the U.S. and spends "long days and long nights thinking, testing, and measuring," trying to encounter Einstein's ripples, until eventually, she and a team—portrayed with varying abilities and skin tones—successfully perceive the collision of two black holes. Palacios's digital and watercolor art bursts with science tropes, including equations, stars, and white lab coats, supporting the book's broader, empowering embrace of science as transcending space and time. Ample back matter includes an author's note alongside further resources. Ages 4–8.
