Jon Larsen found what looked like a micrometeorite in his own backyard in 2009. Scientists said that tons of sand-size cosmic dust fell to earth each day, but was impossible to spot among the dirt of cities and towns. Jon worked hard, though not trained as a scientist, and he showed the experts a way to find the micrometeorites all around us. Now anyone with a microscope, magnet, sieves, and patience can look for space dust.

This Narrative Nonfiction picture book would appeal to readers of Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code (Laurie Wallmark) or The Boy Who Loved Math (Deborah Heiligman). I am in contact with Jon Larsen, who formed an online group and published an adult book, Project Stardust, to help others seeking Micrometeorites. He is interested in a picture book about the project.

I have an MFA in Playwriting from Columbia University. I work as a program director at The Marsh Theater in San Francisco as well as writing and performing my own work. My sister is a chemist, my husband a physicist, and they are both avid to set me straight on scientific concepts and terms. I am a member of SCBWI, where I found my critique group.

 Thank you for considering my work.

In 2009, Jon Larsen wiped a backyard table until it was spotless. He turned away for a second and when he looked back, there a shiny speck. It was metallic, and different from ordinary dirt. Could it be a tiny meteorite? He wanted to find more.