All summer, I’ll be sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that interest them or offer something new to learn about. Most of the time, these will be nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too. I believe reading over the summer is so important, and keeping kids interested in reading by finding relevant books about topics that they are interested in is very important. Kids should read at least 20 minutes every day, and I hope that these books offer you ideas to keep your kids reading and learning all summer.
I hope you will stay tuned to these posts. They will always have Summer Read-to-Learn in the title and will be tagged in the post. There will be books on all kinds of topics kids love to read and learn about. Be sure to stop by each week to see what book I’m sharing as part of my Summer Read-to-Learn series.
To see all the books in the Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.
WHO HID THE STARS?
How Light Pollution Changes Our World
By: Danio Miserocchi and Macie J Michno
Illustrated by: Valentina Gottardi
Translated by: Sylvia Notini
Published: March 24, 2026
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Non-Fiction
Who Hid the Stars is part of the Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers (SSCR) series of books, which covers a wide variety of titles in all areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. This Junior Library Guild Selection asks readers to think about the impact of nighttime lights, not just on our view of the stars but also on others.
I grew up on a farm where we could see thousands of stars nearly every night. Now, I live in a very small town, and since I live on the edge where there aren’t any streetlights, I’m lucky to see the stars whenever I want to. But I remember living in the city and not really being able to see the stars at night because of the street lights. However, I never realized the impact of nighttime lighting until I was in Florida a few years ago. We were asked to close our blinds if we were going to have lights on at night due to the sea turtles’ nesting season. I had never thought about how our inside lights reflected on the water and confused them when they returned to the nest.
Artificial light affects not only the animals but also the plants growing in cities. It changes their ability to migrate, reproduce, and absorb sunlight. Even humans are affected by artificial light, indoors and outside, causing issues with sleep and depression.
Even the types and styles of streetlights can make a difference, depending on the cutoff style they offer. A full cutoff is best because the light shines directly downward and not out and up at all. Birds that typically migrate at night, such as the song thrush, will have their migrations disrupted by the light pollution in cities.
Insects, birds, bats, ocean life, small reptiles, plants, and humans are all affected by light pollution. This book offers tips for reducing your impact, such as using LED bulbs, using fewer lights in your house at night–turning on only the lights you need, using dimmers on your lights, and having shielded outdoor lights that shine down and not up and out.
The dark pages and illustrations offer a glimpse into the importance of keeping things dark at night as they should be. A glossary at the back of the book explains various terms used in the book as well as offers resources for further learning.
Danio Miserocchi is an Italian naturalist and teacher who works with museums and community organizations on conservation and biodiversity initiatives. He enjoys researching and exploring neglected species of flora and fauna in their environments. Follow Danio on Instagram @daniomiserocchi.
Macie J Michno earned a degree in computer science and now uses his skills to help communicate science and technology through text and images. At the Italian publisher Cocai Books, based in the city of Rovereto, he is an editor and administrative manager passionate about writing, proofreading, and all other sorts of processes.
Valentina Gottardi has pursued her dual passions of art and nature since childhood. At the Italian publisher Cocai Books, she serves as artistic director and designer for all projects, including this one. Learn more about Cocai Books on Instagram @cocaidesign.
Sylvia Notini has translated over 200 titles from Italian into English. Her translation of Just A Girl: A True Story of World War II (HarperCollins)won the 2023 Mildred L. Batchelder Award, and her translation of Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia (Princeton Architectural) was a finalist for the AAAS Prize for Excellence in Science Books. Sylvia lives in Castenaso, just outside of Bologna, Italy. Visit her website at sylvianotini.com.
Click HERE to purchase a copy of WHO HID THE STARS?
