The Movement of Stars

Debut author Amy Brill take the story of Maria Mitchell, the first professional female astronomer in America, and weaves her own tale in The Movement of Stars.  I was able to obtain a copy of this new book through the Penguin First Flights program.

The story takes place in 1845 and centers on Hannah Price, who has lived her entire life in a small Nantucket Quaker community.  While she lives her life according to the principles of the community, she has a goal unlike those of the other women in the community.  She wishes to win an award for discovering a new comet.  Hannah watches the night sky with the best tools available to her and studies the newest breakthroughs in the world of astronomy.  But her life is about to change when Isaac Martin, a dark-skinned whaler, enters her life.

Isaac wishes to improve his status upon his boat and seeks out lessons from Hannah.  She agrees to teach him, but somehow their tutoring sessions become much more.  Hannah finds herself trapped in a situation she never imagined.  Her understanding of her community, and herself, begins to unravel around her.

Brill has written a tremendous debut novel and has based it upon an historical figure whom I had never heard anything about.  Check out the Maria Mitchell Foundation for more information on this fascinating figure.