As a result of my various committee appointments and commitments I am unable to disclose my personal thoughts on this title at this time. Please see my star rating for a general overview of how I felt about this title. Additionally, you may check my GoodReads for additional information on what thoughts I’m able to share publicly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this and any other titles you are in charge of.

I love this heartfelt story of such a close-knit family. I love the message that the main character gives of never giving up, even when things got touch. This is a must read!

I suggested this title to one of my 6th grade book clubs because it is such a powerful story with so many layers. I loved the connections to science and the window into Turner's Syndrome. I will absolutely be adding this book to my library for next fall!

Libby Monroe was born with Turner Syndrome, a genetic condition where she was born with only an X chromosome. This impacts how she thinks and responds in situations. But this does not stop her from loving science, especially a lesser-known woman such as Cecilia Payne. She was the first person to discover what stars are made of, but she didn't get the immediate credit she deserved.

When Nonny, Libby's older sister, moves back in with her and her mom and dad because she's pregnant, Libby realizes that she must help her. Nonny and her husband, Thomas, are struggling financially and Thomas isn't getting the best of luck with finding and maintaining a flexible job with a baby on the way. Libby feels like she is destined to make sure that her sister's baby comes out perfectly. So that she is not "missing" anything like she is missing another chromosome herself. This is when Libby learns that there is a huge contest that would allow her to win $25,000. She would give that money to her sister to help kickstart the baby's life and to not have such a burden when it comes to buying a house.

So, Libby strikes a deal with the universe. She will enter the Smithsonian STEM contest and bring Cecilia Payne the recognition she deserves! There are many bumps along the way that entail loss of hope and nervousness that the baby will not be okay.

The themes that resonate in this story are to never give up, cherish family, step out of your comfort zone, and be you. What made this book so different was that you got to learn of this "not-as-known" disability and the way it impacted the character. This is also an #ownvoices book, so I appreciate that this character is based on the author's real life impacts too. Overall, this book was very sweet and hopeful and I think it will be encouraging for students who struggle to make friends, or students who have a disability or what to know how disabilities impact others in different ways.

Five stars are not enough for this fantastic book. Libby is an unforgettable heroine, and Sarah Allen is a debut author to watch. Like the author, Libby has Turner syndrome. This does not define her or limit her, but is part of who she is, and a big part of her story. Libby’s love of science and underestimated historical figures make her a fountain of facts, but Allen always keeps Libby’s fact-spouting relevant to her context. I love Libby’s big heart and her determined focus, which helps her learn how to be a good friend but can also become too narrow and fixed. Libby is lovable from the beginning, but her character still goes through the growing pains of all protagonists and pre-teens, and Libby must deal with an unexpected heartbreak. This book really has it all - humor, science, friendship, family, suspense, wisdom, emotional moments, and hope through it all. Libby is the kind of character I want to hug and cheer for, and I’m so thankful that Sarah Allen shared this #ownvoices story with the world.

This was a book that I read through in one day. I was so intrigued by Libby's story and the challenges she faces with Turner's syndrome. I love how much she loves science and STEM, and the book brings some of those underrated women to light - what a great role model! The characters throughout the book are so likable and relatable - you feel like you are right there with them. Libby's story explores the importance of family, friendship, perseverance, and hope. I can definitely see many of my fourth graders enjoying the book. I can't wait to add it to our classroom library!

I love books which introduce us to protagonist's with disorders that often make them the brunt of bullying. Libby's Turner's Syndrome is an example. We're given a chance to meet a character with it, a character who is smart, female and interested in science. She puts that science to good use hoping to help her sister. This is a heartwarming book, great for a read aloud.

Twelve-year-old Libby enters a national contest to write about an underrepresented scientist, Cecilia Payne, who discovered what stars are made of, and sets out to get Payne added to her school textbook. The quest turns personal when Libby is determined to win the prize money for her pregnant sister and her husband and asks Cecilia to keep the new baby safe in exchange for winning the contest. Libby is a passionate, selfless heroine readers will root for the whole way through. Her relationship with her older sister is also heartwarming. Libby has Turner syndrome, which fuels her obsession with the baby being born healthy, and the book teaches readers about this little-known genetic disorder. The story is well-paced and realistic. Science fans will appreciate learning about Cecilia Payne, and all readers will benefit from learning about lesser-known figures in history. 8 to 12.

I adored this book. I loved the voice of Libby, a 12 year old with Turner Syndrome. This was an engaging and heartfelt story that I will recommend to students and coworkers!

Twelve-year-old Libby is super smart, but the standard dramas of middle school are somewhat complicated by the added challenges of Libby's slight physical differences and extra social anxiety. That's because she was born with a chromosomal disorder that only girls get, called Turner Syndrome. With gorgeous writing and sensitivity that brings us right inside Libby's life, we get to walk inside her shoes and cheer with her as she tries hard to help her beloved older sister Nonny, who's expecting her first baby and could really use the money Libby will get if she wins a women in STEM competition run by the Smithsonian. 


I totally loved how Libby's struggles in the contest mirrored those of Cecilia Payne, the Harvard astronomer who discovered what stars are made of, but whose work and recognition in the early twentieth century was thwarted by people who underestimated her. I am a sucker for sibling stories, and this one is a tearjerker: it brings us right along with Libby as she tries to help her sister and ultimately realizes that she herself is a role model, both for Nonny and for the new baby.

Libby Monroe is seeing stars. She is determined to bring to light the accomplishments of Cecilia Payne, the woman whose doctoral thesis gave us a new outlook on the composition of stars. Her thesis was rejected, only to be recycled by the very men who denied her findings. When Libby finds out about a contest the Smithsonian is running for junior high students, she decides her project will feature Cecilia Payne. Meanwhile Libby has an older sister who has moved back home while her husband is working at a job away from home and is expecting a baby. The upcoming addition to the family inspires Libby to work even harder despite her Turner Syndrome and the difficulties in achieving her goals. Both Libby's parents and her older sister are happily married and very supportive, helping her work through the negative aspects of her disorder. She also has a fantastic resource in her history teacher. Throughout the book, there are believable "aha" moments that can be helpful to any middle grader. One of my favorites was when she realizes that broken people are like "kintsugi" -- the golden pottery repair practiced in Japan. Such a beautiful way to look at our scars.

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Libby Monroe is quirky, unique, and an all-around great character! She loves her family, science, and also was born with a condition called Turner Syndrome, which can make things a little hard for her sometimes, like making friends. When she finds out her sister is pregnant, she makes a deal with the universe: she will enter a contest about her favorite scientist Cecelia Payne, the astronomer who first discovers what stars are made of, if the baby is born safe and healthy. A story with a lot of heart and a ton of soul, this is a realistic look at a 12-year-old's life that makes you wonder what YOUR stars are made of.

When Libby finds out that her sister is pregnant, she is excited, but a bit fearful too. Will the baby be healthy? Will the baby be like her and have Turner Syndrome? Libby makes a deal with the universe, if she completes a project about Cecelia Payne, the first person to discover what stars are made of, then the baby will be born perfect. This heartwarming book about Libby and her concern for her family, will have you smiling and cheering her on.

I would like to thank NetGalley for letting me read a copy of this book. My opinions are a little biased because of personal history with Turners Syndrome. I had no idea this topic was a part of the storyline and it caught me off guard in an emotional way. I’m happy to see a continued number of books featuring main characters that have chronic or genetic conditions, especially when it teaches the reader something new. I did think the book had too much detailed medical information and not enough details about Libby’s personal relationships. I would have liked the story to have gone more in depth about her friendship with Talia or her relationship with her sister. It reminded me of the book MUSTACHES FOR MADDIE. I really enjoyed the information about Cecelia Payne - what great information! There is a select group of kids that may be interested in this book, so I’m glad it will be available.

Libby is a 12 year old girl with Turner Syndrome. Using first person narrative, the reader learns a lot about her Turner Syndrome which means she is a girl missing an X chromosome. Libby loves science and is given an assignment to write about someone who is not featured in their textbook. She chooses Cecilia Payne, who in the 1920's discovered what the stars are made of - hydrogen and helium. Cecilia did not get credit for this discovery in the textbooks. Libby plans to win a Smithsonian contest that will feature underrated women in STEM and writes to a publishing company to persuade them to feature Cecilia. This is all while handling teasing at school (which she has clever comebacks to!), making friends, and taking care of her older sister who is pregnant while her husband is away. Libby is a relatable character who is later diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disorder and struggles with communicating to friends. She has a supportive family and finds an unlikely friendship with a new girl named Talia. They both support each other as they take on their own separate projects. A great read with strong female characters, disabled characters, and family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Group for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of What Stars Are Made Of by Sarah Allen. This book will be published on March 31, 2020. All opinions are my own.

Libby loves science and she does pretty well in school. She's great at making friends and having conversations in her head with the interesting and renown individuals she learns about, but she struggles with making actual friends. When her sister moves home to stay with them during her pregnancy, Libby is determined to make sure that her niece will be perfect and that the pregnancy will go smoothly. To do this, she makes a deal with Cecilia Payne, an astronomer, if she can get Cecilia into her school's textbook, then Cecilia will make sure that the baby is born healthy. She also hopes that getting Cecilia into the textbook will help her win the Smithsonian's women in STEM contest grand prize of $25,000, so she can give it to her sister's family. Does she have what it takes to win the contest? Can she help her sister and niece? Is the universe even listening to her?

This was a heartwarming and cute book. I love that Libby has Turner Syndrome and that readers who also have Turner Syndrome are represented and those who don't, get the opportunity to learn about it. Another thing I love is Libby's passion and love of science and learning. The use of metaphor throughout the book to help convey theme is wonderfully done. There is so much for the reader to learn from Libby about kindness, love, and never giving up. While I enjoyed the book, it did have a few weaknesses. I found that Libby sometimes came across as younger than middle school age (especially at the start of the book). This aside, the book has wonderful messages and vibrant characters that middle grade readers will be able to connect to.

Seventh grader Libby is a science-loving girl who faces many challenges, but still manages to call herself lucky. She has Turner’s Syndrome, which I didn’t really know much about until I read this book. The author, Sarah Allen also has Turner Syndrome, and she portrays what it’s like to live with this in an authentic voice through Libby. I loved the relationship between Libby and her sister, Nonny. Their talks demonstrate the sweet connection they have and how she wants to help her and her husband with their finances so their pregnancy will be smooth. I also enjoyed reading about a previously unknown-to-me female astronomer, Cecilia Payne. I think what draws me to stories like these is not just the development of a good storyline and likeable characters but also how much I learn from them. In this case, I had a bit of insight into Turner Syndrome and learned about a historical figure whom I had never even heard of before this book. Libby is selfless and courageous and this heartwarming STEM-filled story will be enjoyed by lots of readers.

Wow. This book will teach you what tears are made of. This gender-swapped Wonder book is a tear-jerker, but in a beautiful way.
Libby is a smart, sweet and genuine pre-teen with heart difficulties. Her best friend is the school library (aww), but slowly she starts to make human friends (I can relate).
The best thing is, she is a role model for girls because she participates in STEM and represents female Harvard phD's!

I really enjoyed this book. Everyone who has a kid or knows a kid with special needs should read it (like my 3 year old nephew who spent his first few days in the hospital), or give it to a bully that needs to learn empathy.

Thank you for the ARC. Cheers.

E ARC provided by Netgalley



Libby is in 7th grade, but finds it a little hard to make friends. She's quiet, and likes science, and has Turner Syndrome, which isn't that big of a deal to her. Sure, she has to inject herself everyday, is a little short, and has a few health problems, but she still does very well in school. When her older sister Nonny comes home to live because her husband has to go away to work and Nonny is pregnant, Libby starts to worry. What if the baby will have something wrong with it? She makes a deal with the universe; if she can do really well on a biography project and win a Smithsonian magazine $25,000 prize with an entry about a famous woman scientist she would like included in her school textbook, the baby will be okay. It helps that she and a new student, Talia, hit it off, and Libby throws herself into contacting the textbook editor and even managing to travel to where he is attending a conference. The textbook falls through, although she does win a local prize, and Libby blames herself when her niece is born early. Will her attempts at making a deal with the universe be enough to keep her niece safe?

Strengths: It is great to see a depiction of a tween with Turner Syndrome, and I've seen this referred to as an #Ownvoices book, so the details are good. It's a fairly hopeful tale, with the only big crisis being the sister's difficulty pregnancy and financial difficulty (which these days is pretty tame!). It's nice to see Libby making friends and trying to help her sister.
Weaknesses: At the beginning of the book, I thought that Libby was in about third grade, and even after we see her in middle school, the way her magical thinking is portrayed makes her seem very young. Details like calling her medicine "Magic Beanstalk Juice" contribute to this feeling.
What I really think: Like Meena Meets Her Match, I love the idea of a student who faces different challenges than her classmates, but would prefer a book with a character who is a bit older.

What Stars Are Made Of is not only filled with engaging and vivid characters but fascinating information as well. Sarah Allen has created an incredible main character that readers will fall in love with. The story expertly explores universal themes of family, friendship, perseverance, and hope. Young readers will love this book. Highly recommend.