Journey to the Stars and Discover New Worlds

In these  exceptional times, where we are all learning to adapt to our new shared reality and learning to care for ourselves and each other more mindfully, it helps to see how others have fared in their own experiences. The library is a wonderful place to discover new worlds, but for now, that discovery will be done online through our many electronic resources. In the meantime, as Houston is Space City and we turn to our electronic resources, I like to turn to one of my favorite picture books in recent years: My Journey to the Stars, written by astronaut Scott Kelly.

In his 2017 book, Scott talks about the experiences he had growing up with his twin brother Mark, who is also an astronaut. The brothers lean on each other, learn from their parents and eventually find their paths in life. In order to become the pilot he wants to become, Scott develops the discipline and commitment it takes in order to eventually get to space. It is in space where Scott’s discipline pays off and offers him an experience of a lifetime that will reinvigorate his appreciation for the earth. The book's illustrations, by Andre Ceolin, capture a warmness that reinforces Scott’s approach to his journey.

If space isn’t your preferred subject to read about these days, the Houston Public Library offers a wide assortment of online educational resources as well as entertainment. We invite you to look at our collection of e-books, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines or media to stay connected. We may not be able to be together in the physical library, but we are still here, serving our community online. Happy reading!