Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe

Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe, written by Amy S. Hansen with Wanda Diaz Merced and illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza, published by Charlesbridge.

Book cover of Wanda Hears the Stars. Illustrations of the night sky swirl around a young girl, she smiles and looks up with closed eyes.

About

In this gripping biography of the life of astrophysicist, Wanda Díaz-Merced, a curious young girl with dreams of the stars, grows to reach them through ingenuity and determination.  While her vision loss from diabetes temporarily interrupts this dream, her persistence provides new opportunities to explore the universe. 

Awards Won

Title Year
Schneider Award Seal Schneider Family Book Award

The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

Learn more about the history and criteria of the Schneider Family Book Award [PDF link]

 2026 - Winner(s)