Pamela S. Turner is the author of the new children's picture book biography Comet Chaser: The True Cinderella Story of Caroline Herschel. Turner's other books include How to Build a Human. She lives in Oakland, California.
Q: What inspired you to write a picture book biography of astronomer Caroline Herschel (1750-1848)?
A: Years ago I read a throwaway line in an astronomy book about how Caroline Herschel did all the mathematical calculations behind her famous brother William's astronomical work.
That piqued my interest. Especially when I found out that Caroline wrote two autobiographies, so this extraordinary story could be illuminated by Caroline's own voice. She was a modest person in many ways, but you can tell Caroline had a streak of iron. She needed it to get past the many obstacles in her path.
And she wasn't seeking fame or riches or any of that--she simply wanted a career of her own. That career ended up being “professional astronomer.” She was the first woman to receive a salary for astronomical research. It was given to her by King George III, of American Revolution and Hamilton fame.
Q: What do you think Vivien Mildenberger’s illustrations add to the book?
A: I think they add a lightness to the story, and a kid-friendly view of what might otherwise be a stuffy-looking period in history (Comet Chaser is set in the latter half of the 18th century--powdered wigs and all that).
Q: How would you describe the relationship between Caroline and her brother William?
A: Caroline and William had a close and loving relationship. They came from a big family and William was Caroline's favorite brother.
Unfortunately their mother didn't value Caroline, who wasn't considered pretty enough to find a husband, and Mom thought Caroline should stay home and be the family's unpaid servant. Caroline wanted to be a teacher, a dressmaker--anything but a household drudge!
William had moved to England from their home in Germany and wrote to their mother to ask that Caroline come and live with him. Their mother wouldn't agree until William sent her money to hire a servant in Caroline's place. That tells you a lot.
Once she arrived in England, Caroline helped William with his music school. In order to keep household accounts he taught her arithmetic, and she was such a natural that he taught her algebra, geometry and trigonometry for the fun of it.
They both enjoyed studying astronomy and when William decided they should make their own telescopes, they were off to the races. They started out as backyard amateurs and made discoveries that changed astronomy.
Of course, this was still the 18th century. William thought of Caroline as his helper, not his equal. When he published papers about his discoveries they carried his name, not Caroline's. If they had been working together today they would've been co-authors.
But he was very supportive of her independent work on comets and very proud of her accomplishments. When Caroline died, she was buried with an astronomy book and a lock of William's hair.
Q: The book's subtitle describes Caroline's experiences as a “true Cinderella story.” Can you say more about that?
A: Like Cinderella, Caroline was turned into a servant by her own family. She was devalued as a person. William plays the fairy godmother role, by getting her out of the scullery and teaching her mathematics.
But it was Caroline's own drive, her quiet persistence and remarkable intelligence, that eventually made her the belle of the scientific ball. Altogether she discovered seven comets and was made an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Royal Irish Academy, and received a medal from the King of Prussia.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I just finished a middle grade novel that is now in the hands of my agent (Rick Margolis of Rising Bear). So wish me luck! I'm also at work on a middle grade nonfiction book about biogeochemisty. So wish me even more luck with that!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: The European Space Agency launched the Herschel Space Observatory in 2009. So far more than 130 scientists have used data from the Herschel to obtain their Ph.D. degrees--and a third of those scientists are women. I think Caroline would be proud.
Also, I'm happy to say that Comet Chaser is a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Golden Kite finalist in Nonfiction for Younger Readers! The winner will be announced on Feb. 21.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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