Jennifer Sommer
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UPCOMING EVENTS

9/7/2023

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Exciting News!
I have been invited to talk about HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS  on the podcast LOOKING UP WITH DEAN REGAS on the NPR affiliate WVXU (91.7), Cincinnati Public Radio. I'll be interviewed in studio September 25th, and will announce the air date as I learn it. Replays may be found here:
https://www.wvxu.org/podcast/looking-up​

"Join Dean Regas, astronomer, author, and space expert on a journey through the stars! Guests from all over the globe bring their knowledge and passion about today’s latest scientific discoveries and advancements. From eclipses to supernovas, from rockets to rovers; there’s a whole universe to explore! Dean is the author of “How to Teach Grown-Ups About Pluto” and “100 Things to See in the Night Sky” and was the longtime host of PBS' Stargazers television program. Looking Up is a production of Cincinnati Public Radio.
Dean is the author of “How to Teach Grown-Ups About Pluto” and “100 Things to See in the Night Sky.”
Looking Up is a production of Cincinnati Public Radio."

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Saturday, October 21 from 10:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY.
https://kybookfestival.org/
Whom do you invite to stop by? Who will benefit from reading your book?
Kids with an interest in biographies, science, astronomy, NASA, the Hubble Telescope, space, strong women or role models, or people who face challenges head on will enjoy this book. Though the vocabulary is a little high, it may be read aloud to younger kids who will enjoy it just as much as older children. Also, if you love timelines, or additional information about the story, those are also included. And the artwork is beautiful too!

Could you please tell us something curious about you and/or your book?
I initially had a telephone interview with Dr. Roman for my research for this book, but when I met her in person, she was 91 years old. She was still talking to groups about astronomy, and had recently given one to her senior living community, where we shared noodle soup one afternoon. She was treated like a rock star. Everyone knew her and about her accomplishments. I had learned during the telephone interview that she used a specific book for her astronomy club when she was a child. I located a copy on Ebay and brought it with me for her to autograph, which she did. That book is mentioned in my picture book, and I display the autographed copy on my table at book events.

Is this your first time participating in Kentucky Book Festival? If yes – what are you looking forward to the most? If you’ve participated before – what was your favorite experience at the Festival?
This is my first time participating at the Kentucky Book Festival and I’ll be so excited to be back in Lexington! After attending the University of Kentucky, I moved to Dayton for my job and I have missed Lexington ever since. I hope I see familiar faces in the crowd and that my book will make my hometown proud.
Join me at the 42nd annual Kentucky Book Festival, the state's oldest and largest literary festival.
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To see this year's author lineup visit:
https://kybookfestival.org/lineup-2023/
https://kybookfestival.org/jennifer-sommer-kbf23/


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100 Ohio authors and illustrators with over 300 titles will meet readers and sign copies of their latest books at the 35th annual Buckeye Book Fair in Wooster. The book fair has books for sale, author speakers, and literary activities for all ages.

Saturday, November 4 from 9:30 - 4:00 p.m. at the Greystone Event Center in Wooster, OH.
​Visit https://Buckeyebookfair.org/ for more information.

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​Join us for a special event where I will be signing books, and start your holiday shopping!





​November 19, 2023
3:00 p.m. Central
Stoneybrooke 
6377 Canton Road, Cadiz, KY
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Watch for more details.


                             Past Events

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Saturday, March 25, 2023 - Grand Lakes Area Literature Festival - 9:30 am - 3:00 pm - Tri Star Career Compact, 7655 State Rte 703, Celina, OH 45822


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​Saturday, April 22, 2023 - Ohioana Book Festival - Columbus Metropolitan Library - 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215

#JenniferSommer @uu_jennifer is coming to the #OhioanaBookFestival! She will be singing copies of her books, including HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS, on Saturday, April 22!

Full Schedule: https://t.co/48UMOCZ8Oy pic.twitter.com/XeAXmQOK5u

— Ohioana Library (@Ohioana) April 16, 2023
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​Saturday, June 10, 2023 - The Bookery Bookfair - Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum, 3738 Eastern Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226
At 1:30-2:00 p.m. I will be talking about my book HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS
Go to: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/read-with-me-a-childrens-book-festival-tickets-615294491387​     for more information.
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​Author details may be found on this page: 
https://www.bookerycincy.com/pages/read-with-me-childrens-book-festival

Art Showcase of Illustrator Gayle Cobb

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The illustrator Gayle Cobb will display her original art from HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS in an upcoming showcase presented by the Centerville Arts Commission. Please join us for the opening reception of her work, where I will be signing copies of HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS. 
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​Friday, August 11
6-8 p.m.

​Centerville Police Department, 
155W. Spring Valley Pike
Dayton, OH

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Cincinnati Observatory
Family Astronomy Night

September 14, 2021 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH

cincinnatiobservatory.org


I will be signing copies of HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS.
Family Astronomy Night 

Sep 14, 2023
 7:00 pm
​
Come join us for a special Family Astronomy Night featuring award winning author Jennifer Sommer!

Copies of Sommer's new book "Her Eyes Were on the Stars" will be available for purchase and she will even be present to sign them for you. The theme for the evening will be Telescopes. You won't want to miss this so get your tickets soon!

Family Astronomy Night is our new fun and interactive craft/activity night for families at the Cincinnati Observatory. If you have enjoyed our Cosmic Kids or Astronomy Night programs, this is for you! Geared for families with children 5-12 years old, Family Astronomy Night will include solar viewing (if clear), a tour of the Observatory, and a hands-on space activity or craft. It will be fun for the whole family.

Tickets: $15/adult, $7/child, Free for Observatory Members​

Space is limited. Sign up today.
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International Book Award!

6/26/2023

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2023 International Book Awards: Press Release
2023 International Book Awards: Full Results 
Children's Picture Book: Softcover Nonfiction

Winner
Bear: A Story of Autism and Difference by Val Jones
Bear Autism

Finalist
Big Love by Louie Flores
Independently Published

Finalist
Hamburger and French Fries: A Barn Swallow's Story by Carol Kent
FriesenPress

Finalist
Her Eyes Were On the Stars: Nancy Grace Roman, "Mother of Hubble" Space Telescope by Jennifer Sommer
Braughler Books

Finalist
My Variety Child: A Caleb Book Series by Lashontrei Henton
LateBloom Publishing House
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Finalist
The ABCs of Compassion by Carla Koala
Olympia Publishers / Bumblebee Books
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Nancy Grace Roman and Her Satellites

5/1/2023

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Dr. Nancy Grace Roman is shown with a model of the Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO) in 1962.
Nancy Grace Roman was the first Chief of Astronomy at NASA, in 1959, when the agency began. She was also the first woman to hold an executive position there. Her charge at the agency was to plan a program of satellites and rockets with the advice of a wide sample of the nation's astronomical community.

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A Special Treasure

4/20/2023

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During my telephone interview with Nancy Grace Roman back in 2015, she mentioned the book she and her friends used in their neighborhood astronomy club. It turned out to be the one pictured above. I located it on Amazon and when I interviewed her in person in 2016 I brought it with me for her to autograph. What a treasure! 

Here is a portion about that from the first interview:

Did you have afterschool activities or astronomy clubs?

We certainly had afterschool activities, but no astronomy clubs. I did have help from the fact that for two years we lived in Reno between the ages, well I went to fifth and sixth grade there, and we had clear dark skies, particularly the second year, I guess the second 18 months where we lived in a block that only had three houses in the whole block and there was a ranch on one side of us so we really had dark skies. It probably had something to do with (my astronomy interest) but I don’t think it’s the whole thing. I think I was interested in it even before that.

What was it that you wanted to learn in astronomy?

I don’t really know. I never had a telescope. Amateur telescopes that were worth anything were not common or cheap in my childhood. But I’m not sure that what I was really interested in was more the science than just looking although I did form an astronomy club between 5th and 6th grade to get my friends to meet with me once a week during the summer to study the constellations.

So, did you have a book to refer to?

There was a book called “Seeing Stars” which you could buy for 10 cents in those days, believe it or not, I’ll call it a hardback book. It was not a softback book in the sense that the book cover was sturdy but it was a pamphlet type book. But it was quite nice. It had a page for each constellation, a picture of the constellation, a description of where it was, and a little bit about the subject and we used that as a textbook.

Were you successful. Did you find all the constellations?

Yes, I think so. This was summer so we couldn’t really find the winter constellations. It was a very easy book to follow. It was a good book. This was around 1937 or 1936.


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Ohioana Book Festival 2023

4/19/2023

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I am excited to be attending this event this year promoting my book HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS: NANCY GRACE ROMAN, "MOTHER OF HUBBLE" SPACE TELESCOPE, published by Braughler Books.

It will be a fun-filled day with panel discussions, conversations, readings, and activities, plus an on-site book fair with The Book Loft of German Village where you can shop for books by your favorite festival authors and get them signed!

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12 Great Gift Ideas for the Young Astronomers to Accompany the Book

3/20/2023

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​For the gift giver who enjoys bundling presents, here are a few clever ideas to accompany
​HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS: NANCY GRACE ROMAN, "MOTHER OF HUBBLE" SPACE TELESCOPE.

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LEGO has great accessories to accompany the book.​ For ages 10 and up your child can build the three sets that come with the Women in NASA kit. Or, for the expert builder who enjoys the ultra building experience, try the Space Shuttle Discovery with his cargo, the Hubble Telescope.
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​If your child enjoys paper projects, this NASA ESA Hubble Space Telescope model kit might be  a good choice. High quality. 
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This detailed wooden ornament, available on Etsy, would make a nice astronomy gift.
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This is a great option for the girl who wants to show off her love of astronomy. These are nail stickers with images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, by ORLY.
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This Hubble Space Telescope poster is available from Mighty Toy. It would brighten up any bedroom wall.
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From Sega Homestar comes the perfect gift for the  star lover, just as Nancy Grace Roman was. This galaxy star projector stores over 6,000 stars per disk. A home planetarium is good for the entire family. There is an original and Flux model, and the Flux has lots of improvements.
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Astronomy for Kids (available print or digital) is a special issue from Astronomy Magazine filled with projects and fun facts and articles.  This would be great for the child that really wants to delve into the universe!
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This beginner's telescope is a great idea for looking at real stars! The Star Seeker bundled set includes lots of extras! Available from AmScope.
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This astronomy-lovers t-shirt would be great for kids to show off their interest in space. Available in many colors from teepublic.com.
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Fluxx Astronomy Plus is a card game for 2-6 players, ages 8 and up. This is available from American Science Surplus. Go to sciplus.com.
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This decorative crystal ball has the names of the planets etched into the glass. It's beautiful and educational. The lights switch between six colors. What a great bedside gift for the young astronomer. This 3D model comes from Qianwei.
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Meet the Illustrator - Gayle Cobb

3/12/2023

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​Gayle Cobb is the illustrator of my book HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS. I met Gayle originally through the Cincinnati chapter of SCBWI and I chose her to illustrate this book because of her style - which was a more realistic and detailed style - that I thought worked well for the subject and age range I was aiming for. It's not standard for an author to choose and work directly with an illustrator. However, I intended to publish this book myself and originally planned to go through Ingram. Gayle already had experience working with Braughler Books, a hybrid publishing company, and after talking with both Gayle and David Braughler, I decided this was a better way to go. Though Gayle was willing to go with whatever decision I made, working with Braughler Books ended up being the right choice for me as an author who had never independently published a book. The process was seamless and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The book is absolutely beautiful and I receive many comments on the stunning artwork. Here are more answers to questions you’d want to know about Gayle.

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Grand Lakes Area Book Festival

3/3/2023

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Grand Lake Area Literature Festival

2/2/2023

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I am excited to be attending this event this year promoting my book HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS: NANCY GRACE ROMAN, "MOTHER OF HUBBLE" SPACE TELESCOPE, published by Braughler Books.
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Press Releases

1/30/2023

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I am so pleased that my book is getting coverage in the local papers!

Oakwood Register

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READ ARTICLE HERE

Cadiz Record

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READ ARTICLE HERE
The same article appears in the Kentucky Era News.
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    ​I remember the excitement of visiting the public library as a child. The magic and suspense of reading favorites like The Velvet Room and The Secret Garden tugged at my imagination. Biographies of George Washington Carver and Betsy Ross allowed me to see the lives of those who came before me and to appreciate their accomplishments. Poetry collections like my favorite The Tall Book of Poems, which I took with me on sleepovers, introduced me to a range of poetry where I could consider how the placement and rhythm of words affected your mood – sometimes bouncy, other times melancholy. Plus, I really loved the way that book felt in my small hands. My goal in writing children’s books, I think, is an attempt to recreate those feelings, those early years of reading books where everything seemed possible. 
    ​I received an M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University and won the Karen and Philip Cushman Late Bloomer Award from SCBWI.  I worked as a Children's Librarian for 20 years and still prefer to read books written for young people. I have two Cavapoo dogs named Prince Albert and Daisy Wu. I am married and split time between homes with my husband Rod in Dayton, OH and in Cadiz, KY where we enjoy our pontoon boat on Lake Barkley.

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