Book Summary
Starry Messenger is told in a story format of Galileo Galilei's life as a philosopher. It begins with Galileo as a boy and his great intellect. He went to great schools and had big ideas about the earth and it's placement in the universe. Galileo went on to create what is now called a telescope to look at the stars. This is where he discovered the earth was not the center of the universe. Every page includes actual documentation from Galileo's journals and book, The Starry Messenger. The book details Galileo's trial against The Church, which disagreed with his philosophy. It is said that it was years later that The Church went back and claimed Galileo was right all along.
APA Reference
Sis, P. (1996). The Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
My Impressions
In my opinion, Starry messenger could be considered part biography and part autobiography. Though, it is classified as biography for juvenile literature, much of the book contains actual words from Galileo. I definitely believe this book is on a higher elementary reading level as far as Galileo's words. Some of my 3rd graders struggled with it because most of the text was in cursive script. The main storyline was easily read by my 3rd graders since it was in plain text. But, I believe for the reader to truly get the gist of the story they should read both texts (cursive and print). The storyline is very basic as far as the plain text, and probably wouldn't make for an extremely interesting story if it weren't for the illustrations. I found myself looking for Galileo in each illustration. Overall, I learned something new and enjoyed the book. I plan to keep it in my classroom a bit longer to see some of my other students thoughts.
Professional Review
Sis celebrates the life, ideas, and genius of Galileo in a picture book that achieves a brilliance of its own. Relating events in Galileo’s life, the book offers a sense of the world in which he lived and makes readers understand why his work was dangerous to the church and ultimately to himself. Large, beautiful drawings reflect the ideas, events, books, maps, world view, and symbolism of the times. These intricate ink drawings, idiosyncratic in concept and beautifully tinted with delicate watercolor washes, are complemented by smaller drawings and prints that illustrate a side-text of significant dates, time lines, quotations, comments, and explanations. These are printed in cursive and sometimes in serpentine or circular shapes that force the reader to turn the book around to make out the words. Without a doubt, this unusual picture book will attract an audience of adults who appreciate the art of Sis as well as the legacy of Galileo. The questions of whether children will be drawn to the book and what they will take away are more problematic, since the text and illustrations will be more rewarding for a reader who already has some knowledge of Galileo and the period. Still, those drawn to the book will find that it works on many levels, offering not just facts but intuitive visions of another world. An original. (Reviewed October 15, 1996)— Carolyn Phelan
Phelan, C. (1996). Booklist.
Library Uses
It is most likely that this book will be used with students researching an invented, scientist, or mathematician. Though, it can be used for research in the field of the beginnings of science and our knowledge of the Earth's place and involvement in the universe.
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