Starchild
My Life Under the Night Sky
Will be published approx. on 18. February 2027
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-78594-945-6 (ISBN)
Description
'I'd toast the moon and look at the sky... I think it draws us to it; we wonder what lies beyond.'
Maggie Aderin-Pocock's destiny was always written in the stars. From the age of three, inspired by The Clangers, her dream was to go into space. Throughout a chaotic childhood, ricocheting between divorced parents and acrimonious custody battles, she attended thirteen schools in fourteen years - but while her environment regularly changed, her fascination with the Universe did not. It became enmeshed in her desire to succeed as a scientist even when her school careers advice was to become a nurse.
Starchild is Maggie's emotionally honest and revealing memoir, telling a story of education and prejudice, adversity and ambition, motherhood and the moon - all recounted in her characteristically warm and relatable style. From being the only Black woman on her physics course at Imperial College London, to her groundbreaking work on the James Webb and Gemini telescopes, to starting her own public speaking company and sharing the wonders of science with thousands of children every year, Maggie's story will inspire you to never give up on your dreams.
Maggie Aderin-Pocock's destiny was always written in the stars. From the age of three, inspired by The Clangers, her dream was to go into space. Throughout a chaotic childhood, ricocheting between divorced parents and acrimonious custody battles, she attended thirteen schools in fourteen years - but while her environment regularly changed, her fascination with the Universe did not. It became enmeshed in her desire to succeed as a scientist even when her school careers advice was to become a nurse.
Starchild is Maggie's emotionally honest and revealing memoir, telling a story of education and prejudice, adversity and ambition, motherhood and the moon - all recounted in her characteristically warm and relatable style. From being the only Black woman on her physics course at Imperial College London, to her groundbreaking work on the James Webb and Gemini telescopes, to starting her own public speaking company and sharing the wonders of science with thousands of children every year, Maggie's story will inspire you to never give up on your dreams.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Ebury Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
229 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78594-945-6 (9781785949456)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
02/2026
BBC Digital
€14.99
Available for download
Person
Dame Maggie Aderin is a space scientist, author and broadcaster whose lifelong passion is making the wonders of the universe accessible to everyone. Over her career, she has created bespoke scientific instruments in both industrial and academic environments, including satellites that monitor climate change and contributing to the James Webb Space Telescope. In 2004, Maggie founded Science Innovation Ltd, a company dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds. She is a BAFTA-nominated TV presenter, working on documentaries, children's factual television and comedy shows, and a bestselling author. She also co-hosts the world's longest-running science programme, The Sky at Night, and gave the 200th anniversary Christmas Lectures at the Royal Institution. Her contributions to the field have also earned her an Institute of Physics Gold Medal, a Barbie doll in her likeness and roles as President of the British Science Association and Chancellor of the University of Leicester. In 2024, she was knighted in the New Year's Honours list for her services to science education and diversity.