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.