Wanda Hears The Stars

I had not heard of Wanda Diaz Merced until I read this book and what an inspiring biography it is!

Wanda lived in a small town in Puerto Rico. A meteor shower when she was nine sparked her curiosity. Though initially shy, her scientific bent of mind saw her winning the local science fair competition. She took up physics for higher studies and started learning more about stars. However, in year 3, she started losing her eyesight.

Learning about stars without eyesight was unheard of. But being blind did not mean she had to give up on her dreams. So instead of looking at the stars, Wanda started “hearing” them through ‘sonification’ that converts data into sounds. She also got into an internship program with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre and eventually made new discoveries about the universe.

This motivating book should find a place in every classroom! Book releases on 19 August 2025.

Thank you Charlesbridge Publishing for the digital copy of the book. Opinion expressed are 100% mine and uninfluenced!