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Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe
Amy S. Hansen
WANDA DÍAZ MERCED
ROCIO ARREOLA MENDOZA
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A nonfiction picture book biography of astrophysicist Wanda Díaz Merced and how losing her sight didn't stop her from studying the stars.
An inspiring true story of a woman scientist of color that's a riveting intersectional read for STEM fans ages 6–9. Growing up in Puerto Rico, Wanda Díaz Merced wanted to learn everything she could about the stars. But in college she started losing her sight. How could she study what she couldn't see?
Wanda found a way. She learned to hear the stars using sonification, which converts data into sounds. Listening to those chimes and drumbeats, she made new discoveries about the universe.
Today Wanda is a leading advocate for inclusive science. She and her friend Amy S. Hansen collaborated on this book to inspire children to follow their curiosity no matter the challenges. As Wanda urges,
“Never give up!”
Wanda Hears the Stars is the perfect picture book biography to inspire any STEM-minded future scientist!
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Posts about this title from Bien Leidos
Bien Leidos\
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tomesandtextiles\
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• Aug 19 2025
Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs!\
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We have a few announcements before we get to this week's releases!\
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Our book club chat with Venessa Vida Kelley is up on YouTube! We chatted for over an hour last week and then they chatted a little more with book club privately after the recording ended. It was a fantastic evening. This is a private link, exlusive for Bindery subscribers only!\
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I haven't heard from Raquel Vazquez Gilliland nor Isabel Canas regarding author chats for September and October book club author chats, but I'm not losing hope!\
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HOWEVER, this post is the early launch for a GIVEAWAY of our September book club selection, Lightning In Her Hands by Raquel Vazquez Guilliland! I am giving away one copy of the book exclusively to a lucky Libritos or Lectores subscriber! All you have to do is like and comment ⚡and you'll be entered to win a copy of the book! Sorry, this giveaway is for US subscribers only! I'll pick the winner on Friday, August 22nd and will email you at the email address you followed me on Bindery to confirm address details and you'll have 24 hours to reply to claim your book. Good luck! You'll also have another chance to enter on Tuesday with the New Latinx Book Tuesday post AND I'll be announcing social media giveaways as well, so LOTS of chances for free books!\
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If you're a Libritos or Lectores member, you have an exclusive giveaway for the book HERE!\
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Next up, we have book club discussion with THE Silvia Moreno-Garcia! We'll be chatting The Bewitching and I'm so excited and nervous! I'll be posting the Zoom registration link this week.\
\
A NOTE ON FORMAT! I didn't realize until someone pointed out to me that including book links were redundant when I add the books as Books Mentioned at the bottom of the post, so, moving forward, I'll only feature audiobook links through LibroFM (their romance sale ends August 20th!) and book purchase links for any I can't add through Books Mentioned. I appreciate you all working through all the kinks as I learn and understand Bindery.\
\
AND FINALLY! Due to technical difficulties (when I worked in IT, we called it user error), a few August 12th releases weren't included in last week's newsletter. I have added them to this one for you and noted their release date.\
\
I didn't mean for the introduction this week to be SO LONG, so let's get started with the BOOK OF THE WEEK...\
\
\
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The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Canas (Audiobook) The setting: haunted mines in Mexico. Another sweeping historical horror romance as only Isabel could write it that's just right for spooky season AND our October book club selection! I'll have a giveaway coming up in September for it, so BE ON THE LOOKOUT!\
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ROMANTASY - Both released 8/12! \
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Dawn of Fate and Fire by Mariely Lares (Audiobook) \
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We Were Meant To Burn by Nicolette Elzie \
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PULP SHORT STORIES - ALSO RELEASED 8/12 \
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The New Lesbian Pulp by Sarah Fonseca & Octavia Saenz\
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ROMANCE \
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Fair Trade by Millie Perez\
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Love Arranged by Lauren Asher (Audiobook) \
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CHAPTER BOOK \
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Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Ariane Moreira (Audiobook) \
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Witchycakes #2: Changing Magic by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Ariane Moreira (Audiobook)\
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The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy by Donna Barba Higuera and Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo (Audiobook) \
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PICTURE BOOK \
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Popo The Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez and illustrated by Abraham Matias\
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\
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Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash by Monica Brown and illustrated by Sara Palacios\
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Of the Sun: A Poem for the Land's First Peoples by Xelena González and Illustrated by Emily Kewageshig\
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Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hansen & Wanda Díaz Merced and Illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza: Available in both English and Spanish!\
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SPANISH RELEASE \
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Detenido by D. Esperanza and Geraldo Ivan Morales (Audiobook) \
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REISSUE \
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The Amado Women by Desiree Zamorano\
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xoxo, Carmen
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: August 19th Latine Book Releases
17 books
9
5
Bien Leidos\
\
tomesandtextiles\
\
• Aug 16 2025
Happy Saturday, mis internet amigxs!\
\
I'm thrilled to be back celebrating Latine releases this week. I mentioned it on Threads earlier today, but while publishing may be pumping out more Latinx books ahead of Latinx Heritage Month, I'm not expecting much promotion from them to celebrate the Heritage Month itself. Several authors and publishing friends have chimed in to agree that they're seeing less support this year as well. As the trend away from diversity continues in publishing, particularly in sales and marketing, I feel the work of putting out this weekly newsletter increases. I appreciate you all being here and supporting the work I am doing. It's not always easy, but knowing you all have my back is incredibly affirming.\
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In light of these changes, I'm noticing, I'm considering something and wanted to run it past you...In the past, I've discussed expanding my work to YouTube at some point in the future, and I do have several drafts that I'm working on editing when I have time, but I think I may switch to a podcast format instead where I interview Latinx authors and luminaries. I have a poll up on Discord if you'd like to vote and add to the discussion going on. The poll will be up until tomorrow! I welcome and encourage your feedback!\
\
Speaking of author interviews, our chat with Venessa Vida Kelley is up on YouTube! We chatted for over an hour earlier this week and then they chatted a little more with book club privately after the recording ended.\
\
I haven't heard from Raquel Vazquez Gilliland nor Isabel Canas regarding author chats for September and October book club author chats, but I'm not losing hope! \
\
HOWEVER, this post is the early launch for a GIVEAWAY of our September book club selection, Lightning In Her Hands by Raquel Vazquez Guilliland! I am giving away one copy of the book exclusively to a lucky Libritos or Lectores subscriber! All you have to do is like and comment ⚡and you'll be entered to win a copy of the book! Sorry, this giveaway is for US subscribers only! I'll pick the winner on Friday, August 22nd and will email you at the email address you followed me on Bindery to confirm address details and you'll have 24 hours to reply to claim your book. Good luck! You'll also have another chance to enter on Tuesday with the New Latinx Book Tuesday post AND I'll be announcing social media giveaways as well, so LOTS of chances for free books!\
\
Next up, we have book club discussion with THE Silvia Moreno-Garcia! We'll be chatting The Bewitching and I'm so excited and nervous! I'll be posting the Zoom registration link next week.\
\
A NOTE ON FORMAT! I didn't realize until someone pointed out to me that including book links were redundant when I add the books as Books Mentioned at the bottom of the post, so, moving forward, I'll only feature audiobook links through LibroFM (their romance sale ends August 20th!) and book purchase links for any I can't add through Books Mentioned. I appreciate you all working through all the kinks as I learn and understand Bindery.\
\
AND FINALLY! Due to technical difficulties (when I worked in IT, we called it user error), a few August 12th releases weren't included in last week's newsletter. I have added them to this one for you and noted their release date.\
\
I didn't mean for the introduction this week to be SO LONG, so let's get started with the BOOK OF THE WEEK...\
\
\
\
The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Canas (Audiobook) The setting: haunted mines in Mexico. Another sweeping historical horror romance as only Isabel could write it that's just right for spooky season AND our October book club selection! I'll have a giveaway coming up in September for it, so BE ON THE LOOKOUT!\
\
ROMANTASY - Both released 8/12! \
\
\
\
Dawn of Fate and Fire by Mariely Lares (Audiobook) Did someone say the exciting conclusion of Godslayer duology, which is a Zorro gender swap retelling romantasy?! SIGN. ME. UP.\
\
\
\
We Were Meant To Burn by Nicolette Elzie Are you a fan of forced proximity? Slow burn? Stabby FMC's? Then this is the romantasy for you.\
\
PULP SHORT STORIES - ALSO RELEASED 8/12 \
\
The New Lesbian Pulp by Sarah Fonseca & Octavia Saenz \
\
ROMANCE \
\
Fair Trade by Millie Perez: Technically, this one released August 14th, but it's marriage of convenience baseball romance--WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE? GO GET IT!! We get so few Latine sports romances and this one sounds incredible!\
\
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\
Love Arranged by Lauren Asher (Audiobook) The final installment of the Lakefront Billionaires series is here!\
\
CHAPTER BOOK \
\
\
\
Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Ariane Moreira (Audiobook) The first 2 graphic novels in a cozy, witchy series taking place in a magical bakery from Brazillian author, Kara LaReau!\
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\
\
Witchycakes #2: Changing Magic by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Ariane Moreira (Audiobook)\
\
\
\
The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy by Donna Barba Higuera and Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo (Audiobook) A young monster befriends the human child he's been assigned to scare in this spooky-funny chapter book debut from Newbery Medal-winning author Donna Barba Higuera, with illustrations throughout by Juliana Perdomo\
\
PICTURE BOOK \
\
\
\
Popo The Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez and illustrated by Abraham Matias: An emotionally resonant and visually stirring picture book about life, death, and celebrating those we love. Ideal for kids with big questions, dealing with grief, and experiencing loss. Available in both English and Spanish\
\
\
\
Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash by Monica Brown and illustrated by Sara Palacios: Paperback release of this Spanglish classic\
\
\
\
Of the Sun: A Poem for the Land's First Peoples by Xelena González and Illustrated by Emily Kewageshig\
\
\
\
Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hansen & Wanda Díaz Merced and Illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza: Available in both English and Spanish!\
\
SPANISH RELEASE \
\
Detenido by D. Esperanza and Geraldo Ivan Morales (Audiobook) The first traditionally published memoir of a Honduran boy sent to Trump's child detention center.\
\
REISSUE \
\
The Amado Women by Desiree Zamorano
EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS: August 19th Latine Book Releases
EARLY ACCESS to ALL the August 19th Latine releases is here + an unintended NEWSLETTER (watch out for an exclusive giveaway!)
17 books
2
2
Posts about this book from across Bindery
Bien Leidos\
\
tomesandtextiles\
\
• Aug 19 2025
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: August 19th Latine Book Releases
17 books
9
5
Bien Leidos\
\
tomesandtextiles\
\
• Aug 16 2025
EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS: August 19th Latine Book Releases
EARLY ACCESS to ALL the August 19th Latine releases is here + an unintended NEWSLETTER (watch out for an exclusive giveaway!)
17 books
2
2