Lucky’s Star: The Story of a Meteorite (Mark Greenwood, illus by Lucia Masciullo, CSIRO Publishing)

Children are naturally fascinated by the night sky, and Lucky’s Star will surely delight primary-aged students with its clever combination of storytelling and facts. Based on the real-life 1969 Murchison meteorite that landed in country Victoria, this book offers a child’s-eye view of a major scientific event that gave scientists critical information about the formation of our solar system and the origins of life on Earth. Mark Greenwood (The Dragon’s Treasure, Our Country: Where History Happened) brings this story to life through Lucky, a curious girl who discovers a strange-smelling rock that fell from the sky and landed on her farm. As Lucky investigates the mysterious object, readers witness how a small town responds to an unexpected – and potentially dangerous – event. Emergency workers swing into action to keep the town safe, reporters relay the news, and scientists search for evidence and explanations. Supported by Lucia Masciullo’s engaging illustrations, Lucky’s Star invites young readers to join Lucky on her quest for knowledge. When she learns she can’t return her ‘fallen star’ to its home in space, Lucky gifts it to the museum so that others can experience the same sense of wonder. Her active role in this story encourages children to ask big questions and seek answers in the world around them. Lucky’s Star also provides opportunities for curious children to deep dive into astronomy by including a Meteorite Mysteries section and a glossary.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Merril Darling is a freelance book reviewer based in Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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