Stars light up the sky on a clear night. They may look the same from Earth, but they come in many sizes and colors. From the balanced forces of nuclear fusion and gravity keeping a star stable to their potentially violent "deaths," explore why these huge balls of burning gas have captivated ancient and modern astronomers alike in this dynamic science book. Fifth grade readers will launch into learning about the composition and classification of stars, the "life cycle" of these nonliving luminaries, galaxies, our solar system, and more through this high-interest informational text filled with vibrant photographs. Aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards, a hands-on "Think Like a Scientist" lab activity and a "Your Turn" page at the end of the book support STEM Education and provide young scientists with an opportunity to apply what they've learned in the text. Helpful diagrams, including a Venn diagram of the three types of galaxies, and text features, such as a glossary and index, are also included to reinforce content-area literacy and improve close reading.