Planets in Our Solar System    In our solar system, nine planets, including Earth, travel around the Sun. You may know that Jupiter is the biggest planet in our solar system or you may know that Pluto is the farthest away. But do you know which of the planets has the most moons? Or which is the warmest? Find out how fast planets orbit and which have the tallest mountains and deepest oceans by exploring some of the books below. Visit our Themed Reviews section for more space books! Reviews The Adventures of Sojourner: The Mission to Mars that Thrilled the World Susi Trautmann Wunsch    The planet Mars has long fascinated humans. References to the red planet can be found in the records of the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Romans-in fact, the planet gets its name from the Roman god of war. The U.S. has sponsored several successful missions to Mars, but the one that really captured people's attention was that of the Pathfinder, which landed a little remotely controlled car named Sojourner. The rover did more than its designers and mission control experts could ever have hoped for. For nearly three months Sojourner sent data about the rocks, soil, and weather on Mars, plus hundreds of pictures. Readers follow this mission from its conception and the construction of the rover to the final bits of data sent from Mars. Full color photographs and plenty of illustrations accompany a well written and very interesting text. Kids and adults will find much to enjoy and pore over in this nonfiction offering. 1998, Mikaya Press, Ages 8 to 12, $22.95 and $9.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot Destination: Jupiter Seymour Simon    In December of 1995, spacecraft Galileo arrived at Jupiter. This planet, the fourth brightest object in the sky, is the largest planet in the solar system. It would take 1300 earths to fill up a hollow Jupiter. This large format picture book, with equally large photographs, gives kids access to the pictures and information obtained from Galileo's orbit around Jupiter. A probe from the spacecraft was sent down into the atmosphere, and it sent back information as it drifted down 100 miles into the atmosphere. Photographs of many of Jupiter's moons show the diverse range of surfaces. This is a fascinating book that conveys a real sense of alien worlds and it will be of interest to kids and adults. 1998, Morrow, Ages 5 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Kristin Harris Discover Mars Gloria Skurzynski    Even with manned machines landing on and exploring Mars, the mystery of this "red planet" continues to intrigue us. Skurzynski takes this opportunity to offer kids a brief history of astronomy, in particular the work of Copernicus, Galileo and Lowell and the efforts of the Pathfinder team who were responsible for Sojourner's search for the truth among the sands and rocks of Mars. The intrigue continues since current explorations have not conclusively proved or disproved that life ever existed on Mars. In addition to details about the recent explorations, Skurzynski whets readers appetites for the future when more rovers and landers will be conducting experiments on Mars, including a proposed round trip to bring back Martian soil and rocks. The book comes with a pair of 3-D glasses, instructions for making replacements and even places where they can ordered. Several of the images must be viewed through the glasses. Also included are addresses for web sites about Mars, a glossary and an index. 1998, National Geographic, Ages 8 up, $17.95. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen Earth Isaac Asimov    All of the planets are mysterious and fascinating, but perhaps none are more amazing that the one inhabited by humans. Earth is still a growing and ever- changing planet. Readers will discover Earth’s ancient beginnings and discover how earthquakes and volcanoes continue to change our planet to this day. The clearly written text reveals the earth’s plates below the crust and how they move. Fascinating facts inform readers that Earth’s oceans are deeper than its mountains are high and that Earth’s longest mountain range lies underwater and is 50,000 miles long. Composition of the Earth’s atmosphere, magnetic fields of Earth and the Barringer Meteor Crater in Arizona are dramatized with color photos, diagrams and illustrations. The fragility of our planet and the need for its people to be good stewards is stressed. The fact that actions by humans have a permanent effect on our planet is made clear. End notes contain a fact-file, more books about Earth for inquiring minds, DVD’S about the planet, web sites and places to visit. A glossary is an aid to difficult vocabulary. A profile of the author is also included. This book is an excellent resource for any science room or middle school library. 2002, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $22.60. Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3234-5 Earth Explained: A Beginner's Guide to Our Planet Barbara Taylor    In this well organized reference book, kids learn about the forces inside the earth such as volcanoes, earthquakes, tectonic plate movement, and the outside forces such as temperature, wind and storms. Readers will also develop a better understanding about the impact humans are having on the environment. The text does not overwhelm readers; it is brief and reflects current thinking and theories. The full color illustrations will grab kids' attention, particularly the pictures of casts made from people caught in the volcanic eruption at Pompeii. 1997, Holt, Ages 8 up, $18.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot Exploration of Mars Mark Bergin    This well-researched book begins by relating some of the history and myths surrounding the planet Mars. With no transition, the book then discusses U. S. efforts to send probes to Mars seeking further data. Using an interesting layout, the often too-small text and realistically drawn color illustrations describe the many kinds of probes that NASA has utilized up to the presen--their purposes and possible future endeavors. Split pages add further interest to the book, discussing related issues of surviving in space, landing on Mars, returning to earth and living on Mars. Future space travelers will be intrigued with the thought-provoking illustrations. A glossary, index and chronology of space exploration are included. Part of the "Fast Forward" series. 2001, Franklin Watts/Grolier, $26.50 and $9.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger ISBN: 0-531-14615-4 ISBN: 0-531-14807-6 Extrasolar Planets    Ron Miller    This book presents a brief tour of the solar system in six chapters. It traces the discoveries of all the planets within the solar system as well as planets beyond the system. The text has vocabulary words in bold print. The illustrations are very good. The book has a glossary, Web sites, magazines, books, organizations, and an index in the back of the book. The last three chapters are open ended about on-going research put into simple terms with titles of Chapter 4 "Beyond the Solar System," Chapter 5 "New Columbuses," and Chapter 6 "New Worlds." The book is fairly short with fewer than 100 pages. (Worlds Beyond) Nonfiction (523). Grades 3-9. 2002, Twenty-First Century Books, 96p, $19.42. Ages 8 to 15. Reviewer: Brenda Jo Roberds (Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 1)) Best Books: The Best Children's Book of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States ISBN:0-7613-2354-6 Jupiter Isaac Asimov    The largest planet in our Solar System could easily be dubbed the extreme planet. Named for Jupiter, the Roman king of the gods, this planet orbits the Sun only once every twelve years. Readers will marvel at the fact that for over 300 years astronomers have marveled at great winds on Jupiter known as The Great Red Spot. The great mystery scientists have yet to solve is why this wind has lasted over so many centuries. Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei discovered Jupiter’s four moons in 1610. These four moons are probably captured asteroids and range in size from 6 to 106 miles in diameter. Many color photographs sent back from the space probe Galileo are vivid and dramatic and are sure to impress young scientists. Each page of easy-to-read text is accompanied by color photos, charts or illustrations which speak volumes to the reader. The Hubble Space Telescope also provides spectacular images of volcanic eruptions on Jupiter. This edition to 21st Century Library of the Universe Solar System Series is sure to inform as well as inspire young readers. End notes include a wealth of further information such as fast-facts, resources for books, web sites, places to visit and a glossary are provided. A brief profile of the author is also included. This is an excellent resource book for the intermediate, middle school classroom or library. 2002, Gareth Steven Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $22.60. Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3235-3 Jupiter Robin Kerrod    When we look up into the night sky, and see all the bright stars and planets, no doubt one of the brightest spots that we will see is Jupiter. Jupiter shines as it reflects light from the sun. It is the largest of the nine planets in our solar system. This excellent introduction to the planet Jupiter is filled with photographs and computer-generated drawings. Each page presents information through illustration, diagrams, and "star points" which are boxes that give a quick fact related to the subject. There is a glossary and an index. One of ten volumes in the series "Planet Library" The series is excellent and would be a desirable addition to an elementary or middle school collection, as well as science classrooms. 2000, Lerner Books, $22.60. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 0822539071 Best Books: Best Books for Children, 2001; Science Books & Films; United States The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Jupiter Dana Meachen Rau    Each book in this series presents factual information about the title planet in a clear, concise manner. Basic information includes Jupiter's distance from the sun, its size and composition, and meaningful comparisons to the earth. Fact-finding space missions are appropriately described. Full-color illustrations feature actual pictures, diagrams and artists' renditions of the planets and exploratory spacecraft. A table of contents, glossary, chart of facts, index and list of related resources make this book a good choice for young researchers. Part of the "Our Solar System" series. 2002, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer ISBN: 0-7565-0198-9 Jupiter Ron Miller    Scientists have declared Jupiter the giant planet. It is second only to the sun in size. Twenty-first Century Books newest addition to its "In the World" series is a visual treat as well as an interesting and informative book. Readers discover that Jupiter is one of the brightest planets in the night sky. Galileo Galilee was the first to view this wonder with a telescope. Chapters offer a wealth of information on the birth and discovery of Jupiter, the solar system surrounding Jupiter and the planet's effects on gravity and tides. Readers will take a journey to the center of this planet and travel through its storms and hurricanes. One of these huge storms is known as the Great Red Sport and covers an area over 7,500 miles. Another unique fact is that Jupiter does not have a landscape because it does not have a surface. The planet's surface is a cloud deck that can be seen from earth or space. Vivid color drawings and illustrations add detail and depth to the text. Some of these photos are full two-page spreads. Bold face type highlights important vocabulary terms that are included in the glossary. This is an excellent resource for middle school libraries. 2002, Twenty-first Century Books, Ages 9 to 12, $25.90. Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-7613-2356-2 Jupiter    Martin Schwabacher    If you could travel to the planet Jupiter you might want to "jump for joy." However, jumping on the planet Jupiter is impossible since nothing on Jupiter is solid. This second book in the "Blastoff!" series highlights the planet, which is considered a big ball of gas. It is the largest planet in the Solar System and has long held a fascination for astronomers and people in general. Readers of this book will gain valuable information regarding Jupiter in terms of its formation, physical properties and even its naming. Early observation and recent satellite exploration are fully covered. In addition, Jupiter's weather and four distinct moons are discussed at length. Fabulous photographs and artist renditions of the planet strengthen the written text. As in the other books in this series, future exploration of the planet is touched upon. Facts are woven throughout the texts in the form of sidebars and an extensive glossary is presented. Ways to learn more through books, bibliography and web sites add to the usefulness of the book. 2002, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $27.07. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature) ISBN:0-7614-1236-0 Jupiter Gregory L. Vogt    Jupiter is by far the largest planet in our solar system. In fact, if the other eight planets in the solar system were combined they would be about half the size of Jupiter. A gaseous planet, Jupiter is surrounded by a toxic atmosphere of methane and hydrogen. Jupiter is a planet with a magnetic field far stronger than that of Earth. Jupiter also has numerous moons, some of which are larger than Pluto. A giant red spot adorns Jupiter's surface. Rather than a decoration, that red spot is a huge hurricane-like storm that has raged on the planet for centuries. Author Gregory Vogt traces these, and many other, facts regarding the giant planet known as Jupiter. Vogt takes a complicated subject such as Jupiter and presents it in a manner that will be readily approachable for children. Vogt, who has authored many other selections in The Galaxy series to which this book belongs once again provides a workable scientific text for younger readers. The text is enhanced by a fine selection of photographs that show Jupiter and its moons. This is a one of the better books in this fine series and one that readers will gain from. 2000, Bridgestone Books, Ages 7 to 9, $18.60. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-7368-0512-5 Let's Look at the Planets Laura Driscoll Illustrated by Dee Christina Mesturini    What is in our universe? This die-cut board book is a very clever and colorful introduction to the planets. The cover is die-cut to reveal our solar system and an index of symbols. The planets and sun are described. Star maps follow, with a description of the Zodiac. Brief explanations of shooting stars, a solar eclipse, and travel to the moon follow. The unique die-cuts and the bright colors make this a very appealing book. 1997, Grosset & Dunlap, Ages 4 to 7, $12.95. Reviewer: Kristin Harris Life on Other Worlds   Ray Spangenburg and Kit Moser    The library-bound "Out of This World" series presents a look at the work of scientist and engineers who investigate the universe beyond the Earth's atmosphere. The fifteen books in the series cover such topics as various planets, the sun, the Hubble Space Telescope, the history of NASA and various NASA projects. Is there life somewhere other than Earth? This is an age-old question. Greek philosophers as early as 600 BC speculated that there were other worlds. Scientists have many questions about how life began on Earth. Answering this question is an important aspect in determining if there is life somewhere else in the Universe. There are numerous theories that life came to earth via meteorite, although today, most scientists believe life started on Earth. However, we suspect that the supply of organic material on Earth did not form exclusively on Earth. The meteorites that bombarded the Earth in its early days could have carried some of these organic materials. These same meteorites were also crashing into other planets and their moons. Search for life in our solar system has focused on Mars. Astrophysicist Frank Drake devised a method for the search for extraterrestrial intelligent life and founded SETI to continue the search. These are easy to read, informative books. 2002, Franklin Watts, $14.95. Ages 8 to adult. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-531-11895-9 A Look at Mars Ray Spangenburg and Kit Moser    After a brief mention of the Mars Pathfinder mission, the authors explore early ideas about Mars--those of scientific observers of ancient civilizations and those of more recent writers, such as H. G. Wells and Ray Bradbury, whose popular fiction helped stimulate curiosity about the red planet. The preponderance of information comes from scientific studies undertaken since the beginning of the space race between the USA and Russia in the 1950s, up through the successful Pathfinder mission in 1997. The conversational style of writing is infused with scientific facts and theories, and should engage the reluctant would-be scientist to stick with this complicated topic. Vivid color illustrations, text boxes and charts accompany the text. Futurists will learn about continuing efforts in exploration, including the hope of a manned mission as early as 2014. Glossary, timeline of discovery, bibliography, places to visit, Internet sites and index are included. Part of the "Out of this World" series. 2000, Franklin Watts, $32.00 and $14.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner ISBN: 0-531-11717-0 ISBN: 0-531-16513-2 A Look at Mercury    Ray Spangenburg and Kit Moser    The range of temperatures of the planet Mercury is far greater than any other planet. The side that faces the sun (which is only one third the distance of Earth) becomes searingly hot while the other side is frigidly cold. Because it orbits so close to the sun, astronomers have had great difficulty studying this planet. The Mariner 10, a small unmanned spacecraft, changed all of that in 1974-1975 when it passed by Mercury three times, collecting massive amounts of information that was previously unobtainable. The book is written so well that any child or parent will have a hard time putting it down. The authors have a marvelous feel for keeping the interest of the reader, which makes this fact-filled science book read like a novel. The photographs, illustrations, tables and maps that are found throughout this book are stunning, especially those taken from the Mariner 10. Fact boxes discuss topics such as formation of a crater, radar astronomy and reading Mercury's past. A section entitled, "to find out more," is superb and contains a list of books, CD-ROMS, videotapes, organizations, online sites and places to visit for further research. The authors are married and have written nearly fifty books and 100 articles together. They live and write in Carmichael, California. Part of the "Out of this World" series that closely examines the work of scientists and engineers who have pursued learning about what lies beyond Earth's protective atmosphere. The book is highly recommended as an addition to a school library or classroom, as the research potential is enormous. 2003, Franklin Watts/Scholastic, $33.50. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Cindy Carolan (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-531-11928-9 A Look at Neptune    John Tabak    This planet was discovered in 1846 and since then, scientists have used a number of varied ideas and technologies to learn more about it. These scientists have calculated the mass of Neptune, know Neptune's chemical composition, know a little about the weather, have discovered eight moons in Neptune's orbit and have recorded the atmospheric pressure on the largest of these moons, Triton. All of this was ascertained by only looking! The text is thorough and factual but not in the least confusing. Photographs, diagrams and maps add interest to the chapters. Fact boxes go into great detail about related topics such as taking a planet's temperature, Johannes Kepler and the algebra of mass. A table of statistics comparing Neptune to Earth, a timeline, glossary and recommended books, Web sites and places to visit are contained at the end. The author holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and lives with his wife and children in Essex Junction, VT. Part of the "Out of this World" series that closely examines the work of scientists and engineers who have pursued learning about what lies beyond Earth's protective atmosphere. A great book about the third largest planet in our solar system. and an excellent addition to a classroom, library or home. 2003, Franklin Watts/Scholastic, $33.50. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Cindy Carolan (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-531-12267-0 A Look at Pluto   Salvatore Tocci    Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered the planet Pluto in 1930. His discovery was substantiated by a series of pictures of the night sky taken over the course of six nights. Star patterns are fixed, and from the moving point of light in Tombaugh's photographs, it was evident that another planet, originally known as Planet X, had been discovered. The planets are named after figures in Greek and Roman mythology, and after great deliberation, the name Pluto was chosen. An eleven-year-old girl from England provided the suggestion that Planet X be named after this Greek god of the underworld. Learn more about this planet's orbit, its composition and its moon in this very thorough book about the ninth planet. Eye-catching illustrations and photographs are found throughout chapters that read easily while presenting an amazing amount of information. A table comparing Pluto to Earth is contained near the conclusion of the book, along with a timeline, glossary and references, which are excellent. The author, who taught high school and college science for almost thirty years, has written a number of books covering a wide array of science topics, from chemistry textbooks to biographies of famous scientists. In addition he presents workshops at national science conventions and is at home in East Hampton, New York. Part of the "Out of this World" series that closely examines the work of scientists and engineers who have pursued learning about what lies beyond Earth's protective atmosphere. This book would be an incredible resource for a school library; the entire series is top notch. 2003, Franklin Watts/Scholastic, $33.50. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Cindy Carolan (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-531-12245-X A Look at Uranus   Salvatore Tocci    William Herschel, a German-born Englishman, discovered Uranus, initially thinking that it was a comet but then agreeing with his fellow astronomers that is was a planet. Much of what we know today about this planet was gleaned from the efforts of the Voyager II, an unmanned spacecraft that made its closest approach to Uranus in 1986. Comprehensive enough to be considered a small encyclopedia, but without the dryness of one, this book captures and maintains the reader's attention. Spectacular photographs, diagrams and maps augment the body of the text. Fact boxes accent related topics within the chapters, such as telescopes, calculating the oblateness and the Hubble's images. At the conclusion of the book is a table of statistics comparing Uranus to Earth, a timeline, glossary and recommended books, Web sites and places to visit. This book would definitely add value to an elementary school library or classroom. The author, who taught high school and college science for almost thirty years, has written a number of books covering a wide array of science topics, from chemistry textbooks to biographies of famous scientists. In addition, he presents workshops at national science conventions and makes his home in East Hampton, New York. This work is part of the "Out of this World" series that closely examines the work of scientists and engineers who have pursued learning about what lies beyond Earth's protective atmosphere. 2003, Franklin Watts/Scholastic, $33.50. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Cindy Carolan (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-531-12250-6 Mars Isaac Asimov    Does life exist on Mars? Humans have always been fascinated with the possibility of life on Mars. These and other questions are answered as young scientists are given an up-close and personal look at this intriguing and mysterious planet. Space probes have sent back amazing pictures of Mars craters and its extinct volcanoes. Other colorful photographs, illustrations and diagrams are displayed on each page and enhance the well-written text. A black and white photo reveals a Mars rock that astronomers have named the Yogi rock because it reminded them of the cartoon character Yogi Bear. The fact that perhaps life on Mars has been found on Earth in the form of Martian meteorites will interest readers. Martian moons were discovered in 1877 by an American astronomer Asaph Hall in 1877, this fact provides readers with a personal connection to the text. Timely topics such as future colonization and new missions to Mars will interest today’s adventurous readers. End notes include fascinating facts, resources for further reading, places to visit and web sites to discover more information. Also includes a glossary and complete index along with a brief photo and profile of the books famous author. This is am important text to add to the intermediate or middle school classroom or library. 2002, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $22.60 Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3268-1 Mars Steven L. Kipp    While brief, this book about Mars is packed full of information. Each spread includes a full-page color illustration complemented by the text on the opposing page. Topics include the canals, space probes, atmosphere, moons, etc. While understandable by a child in the lower elementary grades, some words will require explanation; the glossary provided is very brief. It also includes an experiment to make "Martian Sand" with steel wool, sand and water as well as a bibliography, NASA and Air & Space Museum addresses, Internet sites, and an index. 1998, Capstone Press, Ages 7 to 11, $14.00. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner Mars Steven L. Kipp    For the ancient Romans the reddish tinge to Mars reminded them of blood. Hence, Mars, the god of war, became that planet's namesake. Mars is reddish in nature due to the high amounts of iron oxide in its soil. Mars is also a planet that has been fodder for more science fiction than any other member of the solar system. Writers, poets, radio broadcasters, and filmmakers have used Mars as a jumping off point for an invasion of earth. In reality, many scientists do postulate previous life on Mars. However, some earlier theories such as those linked to the "canal system" have fallen into disrepute. Mars is only about one seventh the size of earth and it gives evidence of being a dead planet. Space probes have been sent to Mars with one, Pathfinder, actually delivering a mobile robotic droid that gathered soil and rock samples. Mars has fascinated people for centuries and its story is well told in this concise work of science. Author Steven L. Kipp does Mars justice in this portion of the multi-volume The Galaxy series. Kipp addresses topics such as Mars' rotation, its atmospheric content, scientific studies of the red planet, and the nature of the famous canals. Many photos of Mars are also included in a visually striking manner. Youngsters with an interest in space will find this to be a valuable addition to their libraries. 2000, Bridgestone Books, Ages 7 to 9, $18.60. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-7368-0520-6 Mars Elaine Landau    When it comes to planets that kids remember, Mars is at the top of their list. Classes crowd around computers and televisions every time NASA sends up another Mars landing craft that returns new pictures. The fascination continues in this text. The "red planet" has a year roughly twice as long as Earth's. Mars even has a polar ice cap that looks like Earth's North Pole. With pictures and data from the Sojourner mission and hopes of more to come in the near future, readers will be fascinated by what they find in this book as will the students that find it in my class. This book is part of the "Books About Space" series. 1999, Watts Library, $24.00 and $6.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Scott S. Floyd Mars Elaine Landau    Mars has stood for many things in the eyes of mankind. "The Red Planet" has been used as a visual metaphor for the spirit of warfare. Modern observers have used Mars as a set piece for alien invasion. Scientists and lay people have been fascinated with the concept of life on Mars. The thought of lost civilizations on Mars responsible for the construction of the noteworthy canals has also captured the interest of astronomers and other observers. This brief text looks at all of these perspectives as well as actual attempts to survey Mars via space exploration. The climate of Mars is hostile, with average temperatures hovering around sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Harsh winds of over 100 miles per hour rage across a desert-like surface. Volcanoes ranging in size to three times the scale of Mount Everest give evidence of massive geologic explosions. Mars is a harsh environment, yet one that intrigues those who study it. These scientists and their efforts to reach Mars with satellites make up the lion's share of this book. Through a journeyman-like text and engaging photographs, the reader is introduced to the latest scientific information related to Mars. This book provides a good introduction to Mars and NASA's efforts to unlock its age-old secrets. 1999, Watts Library, $24.00 and $6.95. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-531-20388-3 Mars    Tanya Lee Stone    The mysterious red planet known as Mars is the focus of this book in the "Blastoff!" series. The fourth planet from the sun, Mars is the closest one visible to people on Earth. It is also one with many similar features to Earth. Both planets tilt in the same manner. Other similarities include weather, length of days, seasons and ice caps. This all-encompassing book reveals information about the discovery of and tracking of Mars by astronomers from the 1500s to the 1800s. The text is enhanced by more up-to-date facts about exploration during the 1900s, with emphasis on various satellite missions, which retrieved data about Mars. The environment and terrain are discussed and future missions are spelled out. It should be noted that the April 2001 exploration mission to Mars has already taken place even though the text mentions it as an upcoming event. Realistic drawings and outstanding photographs add to the appeal of the book. Facts are interspersed throughout the text and a glossary, booklist and web site make this a complete read. 2002, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $27.07. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7614-1233-6 Mercury Isaac Asimov    What planets surface is hot enough to melt lead and is the “quickest” planet in the Solar System? Young readers will find the answer to this question and a treasure of information between the covers of the book Mercury. This slim volume is part of the 21st Century Library of the Universe Solar System series. Mercury’s huge craters cover its surface. The largest of these craters is called the Caloris Basin where the temperatures are the highest on the planet. Readers will be amazed at pictures of these craters sent back to Earth from the Mariner 10 space probe . Colorful photos, diagrams and illustrations bring the clear and concise text to life. Readers will meet Nicolaus Copernicus the man who argued that the planets circled around the Sun in 1543. They will discover that Mercury is named for the ancient Roman god Mercury, who was the messenger of the gods with wings on his feet because he moved so quickly, not unlike the planet. This volume is jam-packed with fascinating facts for the young astronomer and is an excellent addition to the school or home library. Included in the end notes are more books about Mercury, web sites to visit for more information on the planet, places to visit, a glossary, index and a profile of the famous author Isaac Asimov. 2002, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $22.60. Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3237-X Mercury    P.M. Boekhoff and Stuart Kallen    As with every book in this unfortunate series, this one contains serious blunders. The first that comes to mind is the claim that "Before Einstein, only one kind of gravity was known--the kind experienced on Earth." Einstein never claimed there was more than one kind of gravity. Rather he explained how gravity worked, an explanation the authors clearly do not understand, though they give considerable effort to passing their confusion on to the reader. The more blatant blunder is a graphic that appears on page 18. It is intended to show how a person's weight would vary on each of the other planets. It is a nice idea. Similar graphics are common in books about planets. The problem with this one is that they got it exactly backwards. This shows a 100-pound earthling weighing in at about 80 pounds on Jupiter and nearly 250 pounds on Pluto. The correct answer is more like 230 pounds on Jupiter and 6 pounds on Pluto. As with the rest of the series, the carelessness of the editors and their apparent reluctance to resort to qualified expertise makes these books very bad choices for children. Part of the "Eyes on the Sky" series. 2003, Kid Haven Press, $23.70. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Michael Chabin (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7377-1000-4 Mercury Steven L. Kipp    Mercury is the planet closest to the sun. As a result of its proximity to our solar system's star, Mercury experiences some of the most extreme contrasts in climate. In the daytime the temperature on Mercury hovers around 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Simultaneously, the night on Mercury is bitterly cold with temperatures plummeting to over 300 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Mercury also has an unusual pattern of orbit and rotation. While it requires only 88 days for Mercury to orbit the sun the planet rotates on its axis only 1.5 times during a year. Mercury is a planet that is difficult to see as it often is obscured by the sun's light. This seemingly shy planet is the subject of Steven Kipp's work of science. This volume of The Galaxy series transports readers to the alien world of Mercury. There young readers will be confronted with an environment that bears little similarity to our own planet's. Combining a competent text with many visual images the author does a nice job of presenting Mercury to a younger audience. 2000, Bridgestone Books, Ages 7 to 9, $18.60. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck. ISBN: 0-7368-0518-4 Mercury    Tanya Lee Stone    Ancient astronomers knew of Mercury's existence. As early as 1700 B.C. the Babylonians recorded Mercury's movements on clay tablets. Telescopes greatly enhanced the study of the planets, and in 1641 a German astronomer was able to calculate the mass of Mercury. Detailed observations were made between 1914 and 1929, but it took new technology in the 1960s to provide a closer look at Mercury. The first breakthrough was radar technology and a telescope in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Mariner 10 reached Venus on February 5, 1974. The Mariner 10 mission resulted in more than 10,000 images of Mercury. From it we learned that Mercury has a very thin atmosphere and that asteroids and comets continue to hit its surface. The thin atmosphere also means that Mercury experiences a drastic range of temperatures. It can be 805 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and minus 266 degrees at night. The text is well illustrated with both photographs and other images that add to rather than distract from the text. Part of the "Blastoff" series. 2003, Benchmark Books, $18.95. Ages 10 to 12 Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7614-1403-7 Mercury and Venus Robin Kerrod    The planet of Venus may be similar to Earth in size, but its surface is very different. Venus has no oceans or water in any form. It is too hot. It does, however, have some areas that are like volcanoes, and a high plain called Lakshmi Planus, that is surrounded by mountains. The text illustrates with diagrams and computer-generated pictures, what the continents of Venus look like. Mercury is a small planet, but is the planet nearest to the sun. Its surface is covered with thousands of craters. Inset boxes throughout the text give quick, brief facts about the planets. One of ten volumes in the series "Planet Library" The series is excellent and would be a desirable addition to an elementary or middle school collection, as well as science classrooms. 2000, Lerner Books, $22.60. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 0-8225-3904-7 Best Books: Best Books for Children, 2001; Science Books & Films; United States The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Mission to Mars    Franklyn M. Branley illustrated by True Kelley foreword by Neil Armstrong    After a foreword by Neil Armstrong, the book speculates on what a mission to Mars might be like in the reader's lifetime. A young man and woman (identified as "you") are among four astronauts who are the first to set foot on Mars. It takes them six months to travel the 300 million miles before landing on Mars, where the crew lives for the next several months. The planet is without life, has no surface water, and is covered by dusty particles left over by meteors that crashed into Mars long ago. The topography consists of extinct volcanoes, craters, and flat surfaces. The atmosphere is thinner than Earth's and mostly comprised of carbon dioxide, and the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. The illustrations are very inviting to the young reader, showing clearly each stage of the mission, with diagrams of the Mars Station and with imaginative pictures of the young crew members participating in every aspect of this strange experience. There are two activities included, and a Website is provided for further study. A panoramic photo of Mars identifies the rocks' names, which should amuse a young reader. This is one of the "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science" series. 2002, HarperCollins Publishers, $4.99. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Carol Raker Collins, Ph.D. (Children's Literature) Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States ISBN: 0 06 029807 3 Neptune Isaac Asimov    Neptune takes almost 165 years to orbit the Sun. Neptune is a bluish planet and is named after the Roman god of the sea. These are just a few fascinating facts that await young astronomers when they journey through the pages of Neptune, a new volume of 21st Century Library of the Universe, Solar System Series. This slim book is an up-to-the-minute look at the smallest of the four giant planets. Jam-packed with detailed and colorful photos, charts, illustrations and diagrams of this interesting planet, Neptune is a visual journey for the reader. Voyager 2 and the Hubble Space Telescope have given scientists new information on Neptune’s moons and the planets windy and stormy atmosphere. Readers will discover Neptune’s Great Dark Spot and the mystery surrounding its disappearance. A fact-file, more books about Neptune, web-sites and places to visit encourage interested readers to further discoveries. A glossary, index and profile of the author are included in the end notes. This is an important volume to add to any science resource room or home library. 2002, Gareth Steven Publishing, Ages 8 to 112, $22.60. Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3239-6 Neptune    Dana Meachen Rau    Neptune is not easily visible from Earth. Astronomers noticed that Uranus wobbled in its orbit and suspected that a planet caused the irregular orbit. This scientific guess lead to the discovery of Neptune in 1846. One of the gas giants, Neptune is known for its strong winds and its orbit around the sun which takes 165 years. Each season on Neptune lasts 41 years. Triton is the largest of its eight known moons. Voyager 2, launched in 1972 to study the gas giants of the solar system, sent back photos of Neptune, many of which are included in this book. With large photographs/illustrations and a simple layout to accommodate young readers, the "Our Solar System" series is a substantive first introduction to the planets. Many astronomy books for young readers are a hodgepodge of information; these provide a linear text that is easy to follow, with references appropriate for young students. 2003, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7565-0296-9 Neptune   Rebecca Stefoff    Add this book to any science curriculum to get the scoop on the distant planet Neptune. Like Earth, Neptune is known as a big blue planet. This book pulls the reader in with discussion of the planet's mysterious discovery, which came about not as a "seen" planet, but as one found on paper. To understand this, the reader is told of the planet Uranus and its unusual orbit. Astronomers searched for years to explain the orbit of Uranus before finding it was being pulled from a logical orbit by another body. That body was Neptune. This fourth book in the "Blastoff!" series offers a lengthy historical explanation of the discovery of the planet. In addition to its difficult discovery, Neptune is also a planet that seems to change position in the planetary line up. However, this is only because Pluto moves, sometimes making Neptune the eighth planet and sometimes the ninth. Besides learning of these unusual characteristics of Neptune, the reader is also given plenty of information about the planet's make-up and its moons. Satellite explorations are also covered. Illustrations and photos add to the text, as do a glossary, book list and web sites. 2002, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $27.07. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7614-1232-8 Neptune Gregory L. Vogt    Neptune is another of the giant gaseous planets that make up the outer reaches of our solar system. A bright blue planet due to the high amounts of methane in its atmosphere, Neptune is sixty times the size of Earth. A planet with some of the most extreme atmospheric conditions in our system, Neptune is a harsh world. On Neptune temperatures plunge to minus 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Violent storms rage across the planet's surface with winds reaching 1,500 miles per hour. Some of these storms are so huge that they appear as dark spots on the planet's surface. One such dark spot was larger than Earth and disappeared in recent years as the storm abated. Neptune is truly an alien world where life forms we are familiar with could not survive for more than a few seconds. This stark world is the subject of this chapter in The Galaxy series. Author Gregory Vogt does a professional job of describing the strange world of Neptune. The author presents a sturdy body of knowledge in a concise manner. He also offers up some compelling visual images of Neptune and its many moons. This is a high quality book that will be valued by younger readers with an interest in science. 2000, Bridgestone Books, Ages 7 to 9, $18.60 Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-7368-0513-3 Planet Earth Robin Kerrod    Earth, our home planet, is the third planet from the sun. Compared in size to other planets, Earth is much smaller than Jupiter, but much larger than Pluto. Earth is believed to be the only planet in our solar system that will support life, and it is home to a half million different species. Most of the Earth's surface is covered by water which impacts the Earth's weather which changes from day to day, place to place, and season to season. Charts and pictures supporting this text are bright and colorful. An index and a glossary make this an excellent reference source. One of ten volumes in the series "Planet Library" The series is excellent and would be a desirable addition to an elementary or middle school collection, as well as science classrooms. 2000, Lerner Books, $22.60. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 0-8225-3902-0 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002; Bank Street College of Education; United States The Planet Hunters: The Search for Other Worlds Dennis Brindell Fradin    From Copernican and Galilean discoveries to astronomical findings of our decade, Fradin provides the young reader with a panoramic view of questions that have long fascinated human beings. What makes this book particularly interesting is the level of detail. The chapter on the discovery of Pluto, for instance, includes material on Venetia Burney, now eighty, who suggested the name for the new planet. Archival photographs illustrate both astronomical and historical content. This reviewer's only quibble is that the historical background is entirely Eurocentric. It's debatable, for instance, whether "all humanity" believed that "we stood motionless at the center of creation." Front matter includes a list of the numbers used in the book, as well as metric measurements. A bibliography and information table on the nine planets are also provided. 1997, McElderry Books, Ages 10 up, $19.95. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami Planets    Robin Birch    This is a terrific introduction to the planets in our solar system. Intended for beginning readers, it would also be enjoyed by younger children who prefer fact-filled books rather than stories. Moving outward from the sun, each planet is detailed in turn. Birch is able to describe and differentiate each planet in terms that a child can remember: Venus is the hottest, with 1,000 volcanoes on its surface; Mars has been explored by our robots; Jupiter is the biggest, and its Great Red Spot is really a huge storm that has lasted for at least 100 years. Each page is superbly illustrated with high-quality, colorful photographs, most of which were supplied by NASA. They should give children an excellent sense of how the planets actually look. This book is one in a series of six books about space and space exploration--the "Space" series." 2003 (orig. 2001), Chelsea Clubhouse/Chelsea House Publishers, $14.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Barbara Carroll Roberts (Children's Literature) Planets Robin Birch    There are eight--or nine--planets in the Solar System, depending on whether you count Pluto. (It is only about two-thirds the size of our own moon, after all.) However they are counted, each offers a unique environment and startling features; if Jupiter were 100 times more massive, it would be a star, Mars just might support simple life, and Venus is what happens when greenhouse gasses get out of control. Planets are fabulous places, mysterious, dangerous, and all but unreachable. That's why it is astonishing that children's books on the subject continue to be well-meaning but pedantic lists of planetary features. Consider "Saturn has seven rings. They do not touch the planet. Each ring has thousands of narrow ringlets made of ice pieces. Some pieces are the size of dust. Others are as large as 10 feet wide." There is nothing wrong with that. It is certainly accurate. But can anyone wonder why a child might fail to find it much fun? Highlighted words appear in a twelve-word-long glossary. Illustrations come mainly from astronomical archives and photo houses. Photos are not reproduced very well and none of the illustrations are very engaging. Part of the "Space" series. 2003, Chelsea Clubhouse, $14.95. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Michael Chabin (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7910-6972-9 The Planets Roy A. Gallant This informative resource introduces youngsters to the nine planets floating in our solar system. The author uses colorful photographs and well-written text to describe the physical characteristics and special features of the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars), the gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) and a planet in disguise (Pluto). Although the information is rudimentary, it provides a quick overview of these nine celestial wonders. In addition to photos and interesting facts, this book also contains illustrations, a glossary, a list of recommended books and web sites, an author's biography, and an index. 2001, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $22.79. Ages 8 to 11. Reviewer: Debra Briatico ISBN: 0-7614-1033-3 The Planets Martha E. H. Rustad    Vivid pictures and concise text help to acquaint readers with the planets in our solar system. The book first defines a planet as being a large object that orbits a star. Earth orbits the sun, the closest star to Earth, once a year. Next, the book describes the nine planets that make up the solar system. Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn are large planets made up of gases. Earth, Mercury, Mars and Venus are smaller planets and made of rock. Pluto is the smallest planet and is made of rock and ice. A great classroom addition to inspire early readers' interest in science as the book includes striking pictures to help them understand the text. Readers may need assistance utilizing the glossary, bibliography, Internet sites and word list, also included in this "Out In Space" series title. 2002, Pebble Books/Capstone Press, Ages 4 to 7, $14.60. Reviewer: Michele Wilbur ISBN: 0-7368-1178-8 Planets and Their Moons John Farndon    Scientists have figured out that the Solar System was formed 4.6 billion years ago. It was a dark, whirling mass of gas and dust. While spinning, gravity pulled bits tighter together. The dense center became the Sun, and dust farther out came together to form the planets. If you have ever wondered what lies in space beyond our planet, this is the book for you. The exploration of Mercury and Venus, a stop at Earth and our Moon, and then Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are covered in an interesting and engaging format. You will discover the moons that orbit these planets and other features of the Solar System, such as asteroids, comets and meteoroids. There are question and answer boxes, space bits and awesome facts throughout the book to keep the reader fascinated with facts and figures. The colors and illustrations are accurate and easy to read, while the cartoons make a very scientific topic fun. There is a planet-facts chart that compares the nine planets and our Solar System. The glossary and index are helpful in finding information quickly, as this book is full of scientific information. 2001, Copper Beech Books, $22.90. Ages 10 to 15. Reviewer: Karen Werner ISBN: 0-7613-2250-7 Planets Around the Sun Seymour Simon    A "See More Readers," Level 1 series book, Planets Around the Sun is a beginning informational book in which Simon discusses the solar system. A diagram depicts the concentric circles and labels planets and asteroids. He then discusses the planets, mentioning several features and facts about each. An chart at the end gives readers practice with figuring out comparative diameters, length of day, average temperature, number of moons or rings, and distance from the sun for each planet. The book ends with four punch-out trading cards of Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn. Maybe it will encourage children to balance out the set by making cards for the missing planets. Photographs are fuzzy but accurate--most from the National Space Science Data Center. A good introduction to the topic. 2002, SeaStar Books, Ages 4 to 8, $3.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler ISBN: 1-58717-146-5 Pluto    Don Nardo    The author of this book describes himself as a historian and has published an enormous number of nonfiction children's titles. It is clear that any training he has in science is limited. That might not be such a bad thing if someone who did know something about science reviewed the book before it went to press. No one did, unfortunately. Even the editor seems to have been on vacation. The result is a bad book containing blunders that should have been caught by a copy editor. For example, on page 38 is a graphic that shows an explosion and is captioned "Debris floats through space after the explosion of a star. Charon may have formed from such debris." This is not only blatantly wrong, it also contradicts the text, which hypothesizes that Charon might have formed as a result of the collision of two planets. Accidents happen, even in publishing. But that such blatant accidents are not caught is an indication that no one cared enough to check the book. It shows. Other errors are relatively minor, which makes this possibly the least bad book in an awful series. Part of the "Eyes on the Sky" series. 2003, Kid Haven Press, $23.70. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Michael Chabin (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7377-1002-0 Pluto   Dana Meachen Rau    Pluto is the smallest of the planets, and it is covered with ice and rock. The Earth's moon is larger than Pluto, which for most of its orbit is the farthest planet from the sun. Pluto takes 248 years to travel around the sun in its oval orbit. For many years it was thought to be a star. In 1930, an astronomer with a telescope identified it as a planet. It does not behave as the other planets. Pluto and its moon, Charon, orbit each other, perhaps it is a double planet. Astronomers plan to send a spacecraft to Pluto in 2006, however, it will take ten years to get there. When it does, it will take pictures and gather information about Pluto and the Kuiper Belt beyond Pluto. With large photographs/illustrations and a simple layout to accommodate young readers, the "Our Solar System" series is a substantive first introduction to the planets. Many astronomy books for young readers are a hodgepodge of information; these provide a linear text that is easy to follow, with references appropriate for young students. 2003, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7565-0297-7 Pluto   Rebecca Stefoff    The discovery of Pluto was primarily the result of great effort by two men, Percival Lowell and Clyde Tombaugh, both amateur astronomers. Lowell, a wealthy retired businessman, built an observatory in Arizona. He devoted years to the search for what he called Planet X. Unfortunately, he died before he could find it. After his death, Clyde Tombaugh was hired to continue the search. He would photograph sections of the sky twice, then compare the images to see what had moved. He did this continuously for over a year until his efforts were rewarded. On March 13th, 1930, the Lowell Observatory announced that it had found the 9th planet. Pluto is very small and very far away. It is smaller than our moon. It also has an unusual orbit that deviates from the plane of the ecliptic, on which all of the other planets, except Mercury, orbit. In 1978, a moon was discovered and named Charon. Since the late 1990s, when many objects circling the Sun were discovered in the Kuiper Belt, some astronomers began to believe that Pluto was not a planet. However, according to the International Astronomical Union, which must approve the names and classifications of all celestial objects, Pluto is a planet. The text is well illustrated with both photographs and other images that add to rather than distract from the text. Part of the "Blastoff" series. 2003, Benchmark Books, $18.95. Ages 10 to 12. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7614-1404-5 Pluto and Charon   Isaac Asimov    Young astronomers are transported to distant planets as they journey through the fact-filled pages of Pluto, one of the Solar System Series by 21st Century Library of the Universe. Readers will discover that Pluto is the most mysterious planet in our solar system and some scientists believe it is an asteroid and not even a planet. Beautiful and dramatic color photographs, illustrations, charts and diagrams enhance the clear and concise text. The slim volume reveals Pluto’s moon, Charon, named for the boatman of the underworld in ancient Greek myth. Pluto is the most distant, coldest and hardest to reach planet and has never been explored by spacecrafts. Fact-file on Pluto’s secrets, books on Pluto, web-sites and places to visit are included in the end notes. A glossary, index and profile of the author, Isaac Asimov, are also included. This is an excellent resource book for the home or school library or science classroom. 2002, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $22.60. Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3240-X Pluto Carmen Bredeson    Since its discovery in 1930, astronomers have continued to dispute whether or not Pluto is really a planet. Although it has been designated the ninth planet in our solar system, many questions remain about this distant heavenly body. The author describes the search for "Planet X" in the early 1900s and discusses Pluto's unusual orbit, its large moon named Charon, the information gleaned from images taken from the Hubble Space Telescope in the 1990s, and future plans for the Pluto-Kuiper Express mission. This information-packed resource contains well-written text, fascinating sidebars, photographs, illustrations, charts, a glossary, a list of related resources (books, organizations and online sites), source notes and an index. Young researchers will enjoy reading this outstanding book about Pluto--the Milky Way's smallest and most misunderstood planet. Part of the "Watts Library Space" series. 2001, Franklin Watts, $24.00 and $8.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Debra Briatico ISBN: 0-531-11784-7 ISBN: 0-531-13988-3 Pluto Gregory L. Vogt Consultant Donald M. Scott    The most distant planet in our solar system, Pluto continues to be a bit of a mystery. First noticed in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh it was named by an eleven-year-old girl from England named Venetia Burney. Pluto is smaller than our moon and is over 4,500 million miles from the sun. At such a distance the pull of the sun's gravity is greatly lessened. Indeed, it takes Pluto 248 years to fully orbit around the sun. Pluto is a planet that has a frozen atmosphere that many scientists believe to be made of nitrogen. Some astronomers argue that Pluto should be classified as an asteroid rather than a planet as it is smaller than many moons in the solar system. Even the most powerful man-made telescopes can produce only ghostly and ill-defined images of this distant planet. Pluto is an enigma in this planetary system. Yet, author Gregory Vogt does an excellent job of describing Pluto's construction, nature, and mankind's efforts to study it in this volume of "The Galaxy" series. As is the norm for this excellent series the text is linked to fascinating visuals. Young readers of this book will gain knowledge about Pluto while at the same to remaining awed by the vastness of space. 2000, Bridgestone Books, $18.60. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-7368-0514-1 Saturn Isaac Asimov    Saturn and all its rings and moons is thought to be the most beautiful object in the sky. The 21st Century Library of the Universe, Solar System Series reveals the second largest planet in an information packed chapter book. Beginning when Galileo first viewed the farthest known planet in 1610 to the modern day Cassini mission readers are taken on a voyage through time and space. Readers will learn that Saturn has no rocky surface, consists of deep gaseous atmosphere and has a very small core. The chapter, A Closer Look, reveals the rings of Saturn that scientists believe are made of dust and small chunks of ice and rock. Craters and moons of Saturn and the future mission of the spacecraft Cassini provide new windows of discovery. The information packed text is accompanied by an abundance of dramatic color photos, drawings and illustrations that are a visual treat for young planetary travelers. End- notes include fascinating facts, more resources for further study, web sites and museums to visit. This is a very informative resource for intermediate or middle school libraries, media centers or science classrooms. 2002, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $22.60. Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3241-8 Saturn Elaine Landau    This is the planet most known by its rings. But what else is there to this planet? How about the seasons that change every seven and a half years? One Saturn year equals about twenty-nine and a half Earth years. Although Saturn is the one of the largest planets in our solar system, it is also one of the least dense. This book is packed with interesting information along with a glossary, charts, some history, and detailed photographs. You cannot ask for much more in a science reference book, one that is ideally suited for the classroom. Part of the "Books About Space" series. 1999, Watts Library, $24.00 and $6.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Scott S. Floyd    When Galileo Galilei first saw Saturn through his telescope in 1610, he proclaimed that it had "ears." Thus, mankind's first impression of the queen of planets was driven by the striking form that Saturn's rings give to it. The many rings of Saturn are, in fact, independently orbiting fields of ice and debris. They draw their color from the mineral content that is, in turn, given a vibrancy by the frigid temperatures of both Saturn's atmosphere and its surface. While there are three other planets in our solar system that have rings, none of them are as visually compelling as Saturn is. The story of this striking planet, its many moons and man's efforts to learn its secrets, makes up this excellent book of science. Through a fast paced text and many photographs and illustrations, the author draws the reader into the world of Saturn. With eighteen named moons and perhaps a dozen more as yet to be labeled, Saturn is itself an interesting system in the larger planetary system that we live within. Titan, the largest moon in our solar system, has drawn the attention of NASA to such an extent that, in 1997, the most complex space probe yet designed was launched to investigate its surface. In 2001 that probe should land on Titan and afford us incredible new information about it and Saturn. Through reading this text, one is provided a literate and informative appetizer for that in-depth information. 1999, Watts Library, $24.00 and $6.95. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-5312-0389-1 Saturn   Dana Meachen Rau    Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system--it could hold 764 Earths. Made up primarily of gases, it is very light and would float if there were a body of water large enough to hold it. Saturn is considered by many to be the most beautiful planet because of its rings. These rings are make up of chunks of ice, some the size of buildings. In 1974, Pioneer 11 was launched to take a closer look at Saturn, and the photographs sent back from Pioneer show hundreds of ringlets around Saturn grouped into seven major rings. A spacecraft is now on its way to Saturn, due to arrive in 2004. It is scheduled to orbit the planet for four years. With large photographs/illustrations and a simple layout to accommodate young readers, the "Our Solar System" series is a substantive first introduction to the planets. Many astronomy books for young readers are a hodgepodge of information; these provide a linear text that is easy to follow, with references appropriate for young students. 2003, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7565-0298-5 Saturn    Tanya Lee Stone    Saturn is visible with the naked eye as it shines brightly in the night sky. The second largest planet, it posed an unusual question for Galilio Galilei, the first astronomer to look at it with a telescope. When viewed through a telescope it appeared to have bulges on each side. This puzzling situation kept astronomers guessing until Saturn's rings were discovered in 1656. The unusualness of the rings is fully covered in this fifth book of the series "Blastoff!" Facts, photographs, illustrations and text present more information about satellite explorations and the many moons of Saturn. As an added bonus, a double-page spread of the known moons lists the name, year of discovery and discoverer for each. Much information is imparted about the Cassini mission, named for an astronomer who found Saturn had more than one ring. This elaborate mission is one in which the Cassini orbiter will take seven years to travel to Saturn. Estimated time of arrival for the orbiter is 2004. The orbiter will fly through the actual rings in an attempt to discover the unknown. Add this book to your science curriculum for budding astronomers or students interested in planets and space. 2002, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $27.07. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7614-1234-4 Saturn Gregory L. Vogt    Saturn is a gaseous giant that has captured the imagination of scientists and the general public because of the beautiful rings that encircle it. These rings, that are actually orbiting fields of gas and debris, give Saturn a unique visual image. Saturn is a planet that has a density less than water. If there were an ocean large enough to place Saturn within it, the planet would float upon its surface. Saturn is a huge planet ten times wider than earth. Saturn orbits the sun every 29.5 years and is a bitterly cold environment. On several occasions man-made probes have been sent to photograph Saturn. In 2004 the most recent probe, Cassini, will arrive within reach of Saturn. This probe is scheduled to take over 500,000 photos of Saturn and should provide a wealth of new scientific data. Saturn is a striking member of our planetary system and one the author Gregory Vogt discusses in this element of The Galaxy series. Vogt presents scientific information related to Saturn and does so in a way that will intrigue readers. Vogt also includes many telescopically generated photographs of Saturn as well as a selection of shots taken by probes. As in other books in this series the author presents a complex topic in a way that will motivate younger readers to learn more about not only Saturn but also the cosmos in general. 2000, Bridgestone Books, Ages 7 to 9, $18.60. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-7368-0515-X The Solar System Robin Kerrod    When we compare the planets of our solar system, we find that some are small, others big. Some planets are rocky, others are made entirely of gas. They all vary in the time it takes to complete an orbit around the sun. Although our home planet seems big, it is small compared to some of the other planets. Interestingly four planets are bigger than Earth and four are smaller. Throughout this text, the reader is presented brief facts presented in inset boxes and "Star Point" boxes. Computer-generated photographs and diagrams plus an index and glossary make this an important reference text. One of ten volumes in the series "Planet Library" The series is excellent and would be a desirable addition to an elementary or middle school collection, as well as science classrooms. 2000, Lerner Books, $22.60. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 0-8225-3903-9 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Solar System Gregory Vogt    Our place in the cosmos is explained in a quick look at the planets that make up our solar system. The sun is the center of our system and facts about it are summarized in a fact box. Vogt takes us from the innermost to the most distant planets and recaps some salient facts as well in the fact boxes which tell about size, distance from the sun, orbit, rotation, number of moons and rings. For example Jupiter takes almost 12 years to orbit the sun, yet it rotates in about 10 hours. It also has a large number of moons (28 at lat count) and also 3 rings. Kids with a bent toward astronomy will find lots of good information about our little place in the universe. 2002, Scholastic, Ages 4 to 8, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-439-38247-5 Uranus Isaac Asimov    This thin but information packed volume on the planet Uranus is one of a series “The Solar System” by 21st Century Library of the Universe. The thin book is filled with the latest and most up-to-the minute facts and findings of this huge planet which was the first planet discovered in modern times. Thanks to the amazing pictures from the space probe Voyager 2, scientists have made startling discoveries about this planet. From Voyager’s images of Uranus scientists discovered the planet has more rings and moons than once thought. Color filters from Voyager’s cameras show the hazes produced by Uranus’s gases. The easy-to-read text is accompanied by a multitude of color photos, illustrations and charts. Uranus is known as the sideways planet because its axis is tilted 90 degrees from vertical. Young readers will be drawn in by the amazing photos of Uranus and its planets and moons. This text is a perfect resource for intermediate science rooms and libraries. End- notes include more books on Uranus, Internet web sites, places to visit, a glossary and an index. A brief profile of the author is also included. 2002, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $22.60. Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3243-4 Uranus   Linda George    As with every book in the series, the author of this one doesn't understand the subject and hasn't bothered to check with someone who does. Two examples should be convincing. The first is the claim on page 6 that "there is less solid material, or mass, on Uranus than on Earth." In fact, Uranus has about 14 times the mass of the Earth. The author has confused mass and density, concepts covered in a first year course on astronomy for non-science majors. The density of Uranus is much lower than that of Earth though the mass is much higher. Even worse is the statement on page 18 that "near Uranus's equator the wind blows 360 miles per second." Any particle moving that fast would escape from Uranus's gravity and fly out into space. The author has apparently misread the symbol "m/s" as "miles per second." It means "meters per second." Unfortunately, misleading graphics, stock photos, and lackluster prose by authors who have no idea what they are talking about are standard for this series. Part of the "Eyes on the Sky" series. 2003, Kid Haven Press, $23.70. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Michael Chabin (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7377-1003-9 Uranus   Dana Meachen Rau    Originally thought to be a star, Uranus is one of the gas giants of the solar system. An astronomer using a telescope identified it as a planet in 1781. A blue green sphere, it is tilted on its side and spins like a ball rolling on the floor, scientists speculate that a large object may have hit it a long time ago. Its orbit around the sun takes eighty-four years and each day is 17 hours long. It is very cold and has five moons. Voyager 2, a spacecraft launched in 1972, studied all of the gas giants, including Uranus. The photographs that were sent back revealed ten new moons and new rings. With large photographs/illustrations and a simple layout to accommodate young readers, the "Our Solar System" series is a substantive first introduction to the planets. Many astronomy books for young readers are a hodgepodge of information; these provide a linear text that is easy to follow, with references appropriate for young students. 2003, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7565-0299-3 Uranus   Rebecca Stefoff    The Sun was accepted as the center of our solar system by the 18th century. It was also generally accepted that there were six planets that revolved around the Sun. In 1781, William Herschel, a German musician and amateur astronomer, saw an unusual new object in the sky. It did not take long for astronomers to realize that this new object was, in fact, another planet. In the tradition of the other planets, it was named Uranus after Greek and Roman mythology. Voyager 2 was launched in 1977 and finally in 1986, provided the world with its first close look at Uranus. This planet is a bluish sphere with 9 rings and 21 moons that rotates on its side. Miranda, the smallest of the five major moons, has the most varied and unusual surface of any object in the solar system. There are various size craters and canyons 12 miles deep. There are three oval regions with rows of parallel grooves. The text is informative and easy to read. It is well illustrated with both photographs and other images that add to rather than distract from the text. Part of the "Blastoff" series. 2003, Benchmark Books, $18.95. Ages 10 to 12. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7614-1401-0 Uranus Gregory L. Vogt    The third largest planet in the solar system, Uranus is a rather cryptic world. Originally discovered in 1781 by an English astronomer, William Herschel, Uranus's initial name was "King George's Star." However, astronomical convention holds that all planets, save Earth, must be named after either Greek or Roman gods. Therefore, Uranus donned a classical name but remained an enigmatic resident of the solar system. In many ways, Uranus is one of the least studied of the planets. It was not until 1977 that scientists realized that Uranus had rings similar to Saturn's. Since the rings are of a dark color their presence was not noted until Uranus' orbit took it past a distant star. The number of moons credited to Uranus has also shifted over the years. At present there are eighteen moons but that number is considered a low estimate. All in all, there is a great deal left to learn about Uranus. Author Gregory Vogt attempts to present Uranus to younger readers. He touches upon a host of facts as well as offering up some striking pictures of Uranus and its moons. This volume of The Galaxy series offers a solid introduction to Uranus, a relatively mysterious world. 2000, Bridgestone Books, Ages 7 to 9, $18.60. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-7368-0517-6 Uranus and Neptune    Ron Miller    The "World Beyond" series by the author presents an amazing amount of information about our solar system. This volume deals with Uranus and Neptune, two planets that were discovered by astronomers using very simple telescopes, in the late 1700s and 1800s. Details of these efforts to map the stars seem Herculean by today's standards. The explanation of Bode's Rule and its application to the distances of planets is particularly interesting. The author's illustrations of the planet surfaces, rings, and moons are exquisite. NASA photographs from Voyager 2 are remarkable. The reader will not only learn about Uranus and Neptune but will gain a fine overview of the scientific methods used to determine the makeup of planets, their size and satellites and the interaction of our solar system and worlds beyond. A glossary of terms, bibliography and Web site list assist the reader in further studies of the subject. 2003, The Millbrook Press, $25.90.Ages 10 to Adult. Reviewer: Barbara Youngblood (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7613-2357-0 Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto Robin Kerrod    Uranus and Neptune are two giant gas planets, each about four times greater in size than the earth. Pluto is a very tiny planet. It is the smallest planet in our solar system. Pluto is a mixture of ice and rock. Astronomers learned most of what they know about these three planets from the Voyager 2 space probe launched in 1980s. This chapter book, complete with glossary and index, includes computer-generated photos of the planets and information about the space missions Voyager 1 and 2. This is one of ten volumes in the series "Planet Library." All of the volumes are excellent and would be a desirable addition to elementary and middle school collections, as well as science classrooms. 2000, Lerner Publications, $22.60. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 0-8225-3908-X Best Books: Best Books for Children, 2001; Science Books & Films; United States The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Venus Isaac Asimov    Famed writer, Isaac Asimov, has teamed up with Gareth Stevens Publishing to produce an up-to-the-minute series. 21st Century Library of the Universe’s “Venus” is one of a series of twelve books in the Solar System Series. This well-written volume is chock-full of fascinating facts about the brightest of planets. Budding astronomers discover Venus was named after the Roman goddess of love. Thanks to the technical marvels of the last century scientists have been able to view and map the hot surface of Venus. The Magellan probe spent four years in orbit around the planet from 1990-1994 and sent back a wealth of information for scientists and astronomers. Readers will be interested to discover that by an agreement of the International Astronomical Union all geo-features on Venus are given women’s names. Beautiful color photos reveal Venus’s craters and volcanoes. An abundance of illustrations, charts and diagrams bring the interesting and well-written text to life. End-notes include an easy-to-read fact-file, more books on Venus, web sites and places to visit to discover more about this amazing planet. Also includes a glossary , index and author profile. This is an important resource for classrooms, school or home libraries. 2002, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $22.60. Reviewer: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3244-2 Venus Dana Meachen Rau    Each book in this series presents factual information about the title planet in a clear, concise manner. Basic information includes the Venus' distance from the sun, its size and composition and meaningful comparisons to the earth. Fact-finding space missions are appropriately described. Full-color illustrations feature actual pictures, diagrams and artists' renditions of the planets and exploratory spacecraft. A table of content, glossary, chart of facts, index and list of related resources make this book a good choice for young researchers. Part of the "Our Solar System" series. 2002, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer ISBN: 0-7565-0201-2 Venus Steven L. Kipp    Venus has been called "Earth's twin" due to many factors. Venus is approximately the same size as our planet. Its rotation on a daily basis closely mirror's earth's as a day on Venus is roughly the same length as one on earth. However, beyond these traits, Earth and Venus are vastly different. For example, the average daily temperature on Venus is about 900 degrees Fahrenheit. That level of heat is greater than that generated by a conventional oven on earth. The Venusian atmosphere is made up of gasses that make life, as we know it, an impossibility. Venus is a bright point in the night sky but it is also a world so alien that it is hard to contemplate the forces that have shaped it. Author Steven Kipp addresses Venus and its strikingly different nature in this volume of The Galaxy series. Kipp does a fine job of detailing the basic nature of Venus. The harsh climate conditions linked to Venus' poisonous environment make it a planet that mankind cannot visit. Efforts to send probes to Venus have met with limited success. Thus, young readers of this book will gain valuable insights to the relatively unknown world of Venus. 2000, Bridgestone Books, Ages 7 to 9, $18.60. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-7368-0519-2 Venus   Ron Miller    Although Ron Miller's book appears--at first sight--to be strictly academic in nature, Miller draws on more than just the scientific facts to capture our imaginations and keep the reader reading about the subject--Venus. He includes stories from classical mythology, conjecture about the planet by early observers, and even an excerpt from a science fiction novel in which the protagonists land on Venus. Throughout, Miller relies on similes to give the reader a vantage point from which to identify with this far-off orb, and he depends upon our understanding of Earth as a point of comparison for learning more about Venus. The book is beautifully written and designed. Most of the images used are photographs provided by NASA. However, Miller has also included some illustrations of his own, which reinforce his scientific message. Miller's book appears as the fourth in the "Worlds Beyond" series, and it is a welcome addition, at that. 2002, Twenty-First Century Books/Millbrook Press, $25.90. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Susan Schott Karr (Children's Literature) Best Books: The Best Children's Book of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States ISBN: 0-7613-2359-7 Venus    Tanya Lee Stone    Venus is bright and dazzling in the sky and ancient astronomers thought it was two separate celestial bodies. It appears in the morning sky for 260 days and in the evening sky for 260 days. Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, was possibly the first to realize that Venus was actually one planet on an orbit that caused it to appear in different parts of the sky. The Mayans were other ancient peoples with a special interest in Venus. They build observatories dedicated to Venus and developed a calendar based on its 260-day cycle. The invention of telescopes made the study of Venus easier, but its thick atmosphere made it difficult to accurately calculate its speed of rotation. Both Russia and the United States have sent numerous spacecraft to observe Venus. The Russian space program made history in 1970 when Venera 7 became the first spacecraft to land on another planet and transmit data back to Earth. The U.S. Mariner missions, Pioneer Venus and Magellan, all provided more information about the planet. Venus and Earth are approximately the same size. One big difference is that Venus takes 243 Earth days to rotate, as opposed to our 24 hours. The text is informative and easy to ready. It is well illustrated with both photographs and other images that add to rather than distract from the text. Part of the "Blastoff" series. 2003, Benchmark Books, $18.95. Ages 10 to 12. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7614-1405-3 Venus: The Second Planet Michael D. Cole    Venus was once worshipped for its beauty and feared for its harmful rays. This planet that can be seen with a naked-eye is the third-brightest object in the sky--after the Sun and Moon. Its brightness caught the attention of the ancients. Then the development of spacecraft gave astronomers a new way to explore. Although Venus may seem similar to Earth, its heat and poison gases would not sustain human life. Cole informs us that from 1962 until the end of the century, more spacecraft visited Venus than any other planet. Each mission yielded clues about how the planet's atmosphere became hostile--clues that could help scientists understand the warming trends on Earth. A visit to Venus would provide even more answers, but would be difficult. Cole describes the obstacles facing an astronaut on a mission to Venus--for example, the need for a special space suit that could withstand the planet's intense atmospheric pressure and protect against sulfuric-acid rain. Future missions may unlock more mysteries. The book is part of the "Countdown to Space" series. 2001, Enslow, $18.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Julie Steinberg ISBN: 0-7660-1509-2 To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Updated 12/21/03