![]() In her stunning debut middle grade novel, Allen, who was also born with Turner syndrome, explores themes of family loyalty and personal resilience and resolve, wrapping them up in a clever story of science, how the universe works and how stars can truly guide the way. If she gets her wish, Libby reasons, “Instead of missing a piece in my own body, I’d fix a missing piece in the lives of the people I loved.” If Libby wins and gives the money to her sister, the universe will ensure that her niece will be born healthy and not share any of the challenges Libby herself experiences. That’s where Libby’s deal with the universe comes in. So when she enters a science contest with an entry about her favorite scientific figure-Cecelia Payne, the woman who discovered what stars are made of-she’s determined to win so that she can use the prize money to help her financially-challenged older sister. Turner syndrome makes some things more difficult for Libby, but science is not one of them. She was born with Turner syndrome, a genetic condition that means she’s missing an X chromosome. Libby is a charismatic and brainy narrator. But rather than asking the universe for fortune or fame, she’s making an unselfish wish: She wants her niece to be born healthy. ![]() ![]() In Sarah Allen’s What Stars Are Made Of, 12-year-old Libby does just that. At one time or another, most people find themselves making a quid pro quo deal with the universe. ![]()
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