Author Chronicled Maine Astronaut Jessica Meir’s Life
A new children's book documenting Jessica Meir’s career will launch in Maine and beyond this fall.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Space
Author Jamie Hogan has written the children's book The Cosmic Journey of Jessica Meir, which details the life and work of the Maine-born astronaut. The project, which involved research conducted in Caribou, is scheduled for release in fall 2026.
Why it matters
The book connects the public to the technical rigors of space exploration and scientific research by highlighting the background of a homegrown astronaut. This project highlights the intersection of narrative storytelling and scientific communication in Maine.
The production process utilized an 11-by-14 ring-bound sketchbook to organize research gathered at a Caribou library. The book chronicles the life of Jessica Meir, who decided to pursue a career as an astronaut at age 5.
The players
Jamie Hogan
An author and illustrator based on Peaks Island who previously created the book Sky Watcher.
Jessica Meir
An astronaut and researcher who grew up in Caribou and studied penguins in Antarctica.
The details
Jamie Hogan constructed the narrative by gathering newspaper clippings and research materials to build a visual storyboard. This planning process serves to translate the scientific pursuits of Jessica Meir—including her previous penguin research in Antarctica—into a format accessible to children. The author began focusing on children's literature in 1996, later integrating her research methods from previous works like Sky Watcher to structure this biography.
Timeline
1996: Hogan began reading children's books after having a child.
Earlier in 2026: NASA invited Hogan to view the SpaceX Crew-12 launch.
Fall 2026: The book The Cosmic Journey of Jessica Meir is scheduled for release.
The Tech Race
The development of this biography follows the author's direct engagement with the SpaceX Crew-12 launch earlier in 2026. This project marks a shift toward documenting the human element behind the current generation of active space missions.
Readers in Maine and across the country can expect the book to be available for purchase in the fall of 2026. The release provides a new resource for educators and families looking to bridge the gap between regional history and space exploration careers.
The takeaway
The project demonstrates how personal research at local institutions can translate into broader educational resources about complex scientific careers. Readers should watch for the official release of the book in fall 2026 to see the final illustrated narrative.
Further reading
For more context on current aerospace projects and regional contributions, visit Space.
