Sydney's Star

by Peter H. Reynolds

Having made a mechanical star that lights and sparkles, mouse inventor Sydney is certain that she will win the Student Science Fair, yet when her creation takes off into the sky during a demonstration, Sydney must cope with the loss.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2001

About the author

Peter Hamilton Reynolds is an author and illustrator of children's books and is the co-Founder and CEO of educational media company FableVision.

Reviews

[Vera-Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this in my closet while cleaning things out of my closet today, and decided to reread it since i loved it so much when I was younger.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sydney loves inventing things! She's inspired by everything around her, but a star catches her attention and becomes the focus of her new project. When she has a chance to show off her star, it behaves perfectly, until... it disappears. Dejected, Sydney heads for home, but her star is far from lost.

I love that this celebrates ideas and imagination! So often, when a kid is in a competition, the other inventions are dismissed or belittled, but Sydney is fascinated by her fellow entrees projects and cheers them on! Then, what happens with her star (including the newspaper on the last page, READ IT!) is perfect, with a good reminder to help others whenever we can.

No content issues; liked that family was there for her testing phase.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect introduction to STEM for young readers, especially girls!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming book for the aspiring engineer and driven mind!

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sydney builds a mechanical star.

[Jeani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the invention bit (male or female), but it did seem heavy on the female scientists and I was confused about how the star had AI capability by the inventor was unaware (?).

[Sydney Kruggel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from the fact that it uses my name (haha), I love the depiction of women in STEM, and the message of happy accidents, that making mistakes is how you learn.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Going Places by Peter and his twin brother, I looked up what other books they had written. This is the first book that Peter authored. It is dedicated to his daughter -- so sweet. The message in this story is wonderful. You want women in science, in this book you get two. The inventor and the ship's captain. You think Sydney is disappointed, but no, her star is very intelligent.

I loved everything about this book and have been telling all my friends and teachers. I am surprised it is out of print. This book deserves to be included on many lists.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter H. Reynolds hasn't let me down yet, and I'm glad I came across this little treasure while shelving today. I'm used to his sparse text and illustrations of "The Dot" and "Ish" but this reach story with full page illustrations does not disappoint.

Sydney is a bright and likable little mouse who just loves to build and her story is full of surprises and ingenuity!

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sydney the mouse is an inventor and invents a remote controlled star. Entered in the science fair the star is best one and then goes away and Sydney is sad. Find out whether Sydney gets it back or finds it again. Tie in to science fairs and inventions. Illustrator Peter H. Reynolds writes a book and illustrates it for this story.

[Ham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this because the pictures were cute and my daughter's name is Sydney. The illustrations delivered, but the story felt like something thrown together at the last minute. Either that or dream-child.
"Honey, I just had the craziest dream and I think it would make a great children's book!"

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sydney, an inspired mouse, decides to build a star and enters it into a science fair. The star however, has a higher purpose.

[Natalie Aldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved the book!

[Lynne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED the art, and loved Sydney and her creativity!