Have you heard about astronaut Karen Nyberg? I’ll be honest, before getting the chance to review this kids book, I hadn’t either. However, my family loves books about space and I was excited to get to review A Quilt of Stars by Karen Nyberg and Ann McCallum Staats before it releases on September 29th, 2026.
This book is about how Dr. Karen Nyberg dreamed of going to space as a little girl and when NASA opened up its program to women, she pursued becoming an astronaut. She’s faced with the things people say to women about finding a safer job or jobs for women but she does it any way. She makes it to space.
About Dr. Karen Nyberg
Karen Nyberg is an American mechanical engineer, former NASA astronaut, and author best known for her work aboard the International Space Station. Born in Minnesota in 1969, Nyberg earned degrees in mechanical engineering before joining NASA in the 1990s, where she contributed to research involving human spaceflight systems and astronaut health. She flew on two space missions, including a long-duration stay on the International Space Station in 2013, where she conducted scientific experiments and became widely recognized for sharing everyday life in space through photography, videos, and even sewing projects completed in orbit. Married to fellow astronaut Douglas Hurley, Nyberg has also become known for encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in STEM through public outreach, writing, and education initiatives.
