The story of a little boy who asked big questions — and grew up to be a world-famous scientist! Plus, an interview with astrophysicist Chung-Pei Ma, who spends her days searching for black holes in the far reaches of our universe.

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On a Beam of Light
“On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein.” Text copyright © 2013 by Jennifer Berne. Illustrations copyright © 2013 by Vladimir Radunsky. Published by Chronicle Books. Reproduced by permission of the author.


THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

We want to hear from you! 

Record yourself answering the following questions. , and your voice might end up on the show.

  1. What’s a fear you had that you learned to overcome?

  2. What do you think about when you look at the night sky?

  3. Make up the first line of a story that hasn’t been written yet. Who is the main character? What is the story about? Where does it take place? Invite us into your imagination!

  4. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!


THE BACKSTORY

We asked Jennifer Berne, the author of On a Beam of Light, to tell us why she decided to write about Albert Einstein. Here’s what she said:

“I think I’m still a curious little kid at heart. I want to know what the world and the universe are all about. The amazing secrets behind how things work. And I’m especially thrilled when I find out that it took creativity and imagination to discover those secrets, to solve those mysteries. So, of course, Einstein was the perfect person for me to write about. His own child-like curiosity, his search to discover the workings of space, time, light, gravity — the mysteries of the universe — and his creative problem-solving, all made him irresistible to me. And, on top of that, he was a brilliant and joyful character. Can you tell how much I adore him?!” -- Jennifer Berne, author of On a Beam of Light


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Julie's Library: What Miss Mitchell Saw

What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett 

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Julie's Library: A Computer Called Katherine

A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon by Suzanne Slade

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Julie's Library: The Girl With A Mind For Math

The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague by Julia Finley Mosca

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Julie's Library: Gravity

Gravity by Jason Chin

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Julie's Library: Over and Under the Snow

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

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WONDERFUL WORDS

Satellite (noun): A satellite is an object in space that circles around something bigger. The moon is a natural satellite because it circles the earth. There are also man-made satellites that scientists have launched into space. Some of them make our cell phones work! 

Submit your own Wonderful Words.